Tiverton committee approves finance director contract after one member objects to pay

The Tiverton School Committee voted 4–1 on Aug. 28 to approve a contract for the district’s finance director, advancing the district’s effort to bolster its budgeting and financial-management capacity.

Superintendent Doctor Cinquioni outlined the candidate’s background before the vote, saying the district needed “a financial professional who will roll up his sleeves and help us find ways to continue to deliver the best quality education” and noting the candidate’s “15 plus years of experience,” an MBA in accounting and finance and experience with audits, cost‑reduction initiatives, risk management and advanced financial modeling.

Committee members praised the candidate’s experience and local commitment. After the vote, the approved candidate addressed the committee, thanking “Doctor Sanchioni, Sarah, the school committee” and saying he and colleagues had already begun coordinating work for the coming fiscal year.

One committee member opposed the contract on financial grounds. “Although I will be voting against the contract … it has nothing to do with his capabilities,” that member said, adding “for me, it’s about the money.” The dissenting vote was the sole no in the 4–1 tally reported by the chair.

The contract vote followed a brief period of comments from members who described the candidate as well prepared and experienced; several said they expected the new director to help the district navigate possible near‑term financial changes.

Outcome and next steps: the motion to approve the finance director contract passed 4–1. The committee welcomed the new hire and the superintendent said the candidate would begin work preparing for fiscal year 2025 and 2026 priorities.