“Absolutely Shocking”: Hingham School Committee Alarmed by Lack of IEP Students in AP Classes
Pollard Named Assistant Superintendent
HINGHAM - December 15, 2025 - A celebratory evening marking the permanent appointment of Assistant Superintendent Erica Pollard took a serious turn Monday night when School Committee members expressed “shock” at data revealing that zero students with active Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) took an Advanced Placement (AP) course during the 2023-2024 school year.
The Full Story
What began as a routine annual presentation on College Board testing and placement morphed into a tense policy discussion regarding equity in Hingham’s most rigorous courses.
Heather Rodriguez, Director of School Counseling, presented the Class of 2025 College Board Testing and Placement Report. The data painted a largely positive picture of a high-achieving district: Hingham students continue to outperform state and national averages on SATs and ACTs, and 60% of the graduating class took at least one AP exam.
However, the mood shifted when Committee member John Mooney drilled into the demographic data. The report indicated that of the 342 students who took the SAT, only 17 were on an IEP. More startling to the committee was the revelation regarding AP coursework participation for the 2023-2024 school year.
“Am I right in that not a single student who’s on a current IEP took an AP class... last year?” asked Committee member Tim Miller-Dempsey.
“There were no students on an active IEP that were in an AP class,” Rodriguez confirmed, though she noted that 10 students who had previously been on an IEP did participate.
The confirmation drew an immediate reaction from the board.
“I just want to make sure we’re not giving up on these kids and saying that they can’t go to college... It’s shocking. I’m sorry. That absolutely shocks me.” — Tim Miller-Dempsey [01:01:38]
Miller-Dempsey pushed for the issue to be added to the agenda for the next educational programming subcommittee meeting. “If not a single kid in an IEP is in an AP class this year... that’s really a discussion we need to have,” he said [01:12:11].
Rodriguez provided context, noting that AP courses are college-level and some students with disabilities might prefer to wait until college to attempt that workload. She also emphasized that enrollment is open and students can override teacher recommendations to take these classes. “We would love to offer every single course that has demand,” Rodriguez said, but acknowledged the data anomaly was worth investigating.
Pollard Appointed Assistant Superintendent In a unanimous vote earlier in the evening, the Committee appointed Erica Pollard as the permanent Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Pollard has served as the Interim Assistant Superintendent since September 2024 and previously spent eight years as the Director of World Language.
Superintendent Dr. Katie Roberts praised Pollard’s tireless work ethic and ability to manage complex curriculum initiatives, federal grants, and professional development simultaneously.
“I’m pretty sure she sleeps at some point, but when you look at that list, she accomplishes quite a bit during her day.” — Dr. Katie Roberts [23:47]
Committee member Michelle Ayer echoed the sentiment, stating, “I did not think that Miss Pollard could impress me more... but she really has truly done an outstanding job” [24:48].
Boilers, Buses, and “The Dock” The Committee handled several significant financial and operational items:
HVAC Repairs: The Committee authorized the use of up to $269,986.36 from the “Extraordinary Maintenance Fund” to cover emergency repairs. Director of Business & Support Services Aisha Oppong reported that cracks in a high-speed boiler at the high school and heating issues during recent cold snaps necessitated the spending [01:37:35].
Bus Driver Contract: A new three-year contract (2026-2029) with the Bus and Van Drivers Association was approved. The deal includes wage increases to remain competitive with peer towns, the addition of Juneteenth and July 4th as paid holidays, and a shift from weekly to bi-weekly pay [18:49].
The Dock: The Committee accepted a $10,000 donation from resident Steve Berger to purchase equipment for “The Dock,” the high school’s new fitness center. This is in addition to Berger’s previous $30,000 contribution. “Healthy bodies, healthy minds,” Berger said, noting his passion for supporting Hingham athletics [14:51].
Why It Matters
The disparity in AP participation raises questions about whether the district is doing enough to support neurodiverse students in accessing advanced curriculum. While Hingham’s aggregate scores remain elite, the “zero” figure for IEP students in AP classes suggests a potential structural or cultural barrier that the School Committee intends to investigate. On the administrative front, Pollard’s permanent appointment brings stability to the central office leadership team after a period of transition.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To appoint Erica Pollard as Assistant Superintendent for a term of three years.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 7-0 (Benham, Ayer, Ni, Anderson, Cosman, Mooney, Miller-Dempsey) [[25:40]
Motion: To approve the contract between the Hingham School Committee and the Hingham Bus and Van Drivers Association (2026-2029).
Outcome: Passed
Vote: 7-0 (Plus Select Board Chair Bill Ramsey voting Aye) [[21:16]
Motion: To approve the use of the Extraordinary Capital Repair Fund for up to $269,986.36.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 7-0 [01:40:36]
Motion: To accept a $10,000 donation from Steven Berger for the Hingham High School Dock.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 7-0 [01:17:07]
Motion: To approve the establishment of a capital reserve account for the South Shore Educational Collaborative.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 7-0 [30:45]
What’s Next
Action Item: The Educational Programming Subcommittee will review data regarding students with disabilities and their participation in advanced coursework.
Next Meeting: January 12, 2026, at the Hingham Middle School Library.