HULL - September 24 - The Hull Select Board and School Committee appointed longtime community volunteer Aleeza Hagerty to fill a vacant seat on the School Committee during a joint meeting September 24, selecting her from a field of six qualified candidates after an extensive interview process.
The Full Story
The appointment came after nearly two hours of candidate presentations and questions from both boards. Hagerty, a 12-year Hull resident, was chosen by a vote of 7-1, with select board members and school committee members praising her extensive volunteer experience throughout the community.
School Committee Chair Kyle Conley opened the meeting by emphasizing the challenges facing the district, including significant under-enrollment and the need to support Superintendent Dr. Jette’s strategic planning initiatives. “We are facing a moment where we’re really excited to have somebody in place, and we’re really excited to get the ball rolling and move quickly for the sake of our students,” Conley said.
The six candidates who applied were Susan Engelkemeyer, a former college administrator with extensive higher education experience; Jennifer Gonzalez, a Spanish teacher and Hull parent whose children graduated from Hull High School; Hagerty, a former middle school teacher and current real estate professional; Dr. Robert Insoft, a pediatrician and senior executive at Boston Children’s Hospital; Ernest Minelli, a former school committee member seeking to return; and Sheila DeRensis, who did not attend the meeting.
During her presentation, Hagerty emphasized her continuous involvement in Hull’s schools and community organizations. “I have been volunteering my entire time here and even before,” she told the boards. As a former classroom teacher who taught middle school and developed social studies curriculum, she brings direct educational experience to the role. She highlighted her work with McKinney-Vento grant funding programs for homeless students and her role in designing enrichment and summer school programs.
Hagerty also addressed the critical enrollment challenges facing Hull schools, suggesting creative approaches to attract families, including examining zoning policies and new construction that currently favors one-bedroom and studio apartments rather than family housing. “We know that housing is expensive. There are some ways that we can work as a community to help with zoning and with the new structures that are being built,” she said.
The selection process proved difficult for board members, with several commenting on the high caliber of all candidates. Dr. Insoft brought extensive medical and special education expertise from his work at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Kennedy Day School. Minelli, a former school committee member, presented detailed ideas for community engagement and strategic planning. Gonzalez offered direct teaching experience and union leadership skills. Engelkemeyer brought higher education administration experience, including successful enrollment initiatives at colleges.
Following the appointment process, the boards also filled three positions on the newly-created Hull Community Housing Trust. Robert Pezzini, Joseph Gibbons, and Michelle Cox were unanimously appointed to the trust, with Select Board member Irwin Nesoff appointed as the board’s representative.
The meeting continued with a comprehensive presentation from Beta Group engineering consultants on the proposed reconstruction of Manomet and Samoset Avenues. The consultants presented two primary options: a town-funded project estimated at $5-11 million, or pursuing inclusion in the state Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for $16-20 million, with the town responsible for only design and right-of-way costs while the state covers construction.
The TIP option would require converting the streets to one-way traffic to accommodate mandatory bicycle lanes and sidewalks while maintaining parking on both sides. The engineering analysis revealed that Manomet Avenue’s narrow right-of-way makes it impossible to maintain two-way traffic while meeting state requirements for bike lanes, sidewalks, and parking.
Town Manager Jennifer Constable confirmed the next step will involve extensive community outreach to gauge resident support for the various options before proceeding with any applications.
The board also endorsed seven Community Preservation Committee funding applications for town-related projects, including community garden improvements, senior center patio construction, village playground completion, Fort Revere cleanup, historic document preservation, affordable housing trust funding, and waterfront access marking.
Why It Matters
Hagerty’s appointment fills a critical vacancy on the school committee during a pivotal time when the district faces enrollment challenges and strategic planning initiatives. Her background in education and continuous community involvement positions her to immediately contribute to the committee’s work supporting Superintendent Dr. Jette’s strategic plan and addressing the district’s operational needs.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Nomination of Robert Insoft for school committee. Outcome: Did not receive majority vote. Vote: Not recorded before substitute motion. (Timestamp: 1:02:50)
Motion: Nomination of Aleeza Hagerty for school committee (substitute motion). Outcome: Approved. Vote: 7-1. (Timestamp: 1:11:31)
Motion: Appointment of Robert Pezzini to Housing Trust. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:32:50)
Motion: Appointment of Joseph Gibbons to Housing Trust. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:33:59)
Motion: Appointment of Michelle Cox to Housing Trust. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:34:08)
Motion: Appointment of Irwin Nesoff as Select Board representative to Housing Trust. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:35:10)
Motion: Endorse seven CPC applications for town-related projects. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:35:42)
Public Comment
No formal public comment period was held during this meeting.
What’s Next
Hagerty must complete online conflict of interest training before being sworn in and eligible to vote at school committee meetings. The town will conduct extensive community outreach regarding the Manomet and Samoset Avenue reconstruction options. The Community Preservation Committee will review the endorsed applications for recommendation to town meeting. The newly-formed Housing Trust will begin establishing procedures and processes for managing affordable housing funds.