REHOBOTH - Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Superintendent Kathleen Montagano has received commendable ratings in her annual review.

School committee Chairman David Katseff said Montagano has satisfactorily achieved progress on the district goals outlined in fiscal year 2009.

It was Montagano's first review. She started the job in July 2008.

"I was very warmly welcomed by everyone at D-R. I am thankful for that, and I am very happy to be here. I thought the first year went very well, even with all the transitions of administrators," Montagano said.

Katseff said the past year has been tough because two of the five schools have been in corrective action for not meeting state AYP (adequate yearly progress) targets, state and local communities are facing financial problems and central office administration went through an extensive personnel transition. "Dr. Montagano is already known in the district as a very hard-working public servant who also believes very strongly in open communication with her staff, the committee and other members of the district's communities," Katseff said.

The superintendent was scored in various categories, including school committee/superintendent relations, community and personnel relations, curriculum and instruction, business/financial matters and district operations.

"We were able to carry on with the work that was set forth by the previous administration, plus move forward with other things that need to be accomplished," Montagano said.

Laura Calverley covers Rehoboth for The Sun Chronicle. She can be reached at lcalverley@aol.com.