Hingham School Committee Approves Fee Increases for Athletics and Parking
Bus Fees for Secondary Students Also Approved, Elementary Plan Under Review
HINGHAM - January 27 - The Hingham School Committee has approved increases in athletic and parking fees for the upcoming school year, while also giving the green light to a new transportation fee for secondary students.
At their Jan. 27 meeting, committee members voted to raise the cost of participating in high school sports. The first sport will now cost $450, up from $425, with hockey and football set at $750 due to higher associated costs. Second and third sports will each incur a $200 fee, a change from the previous system where only the first sport was charged.
"We're trying to find that sweet spot of wanting to increase fees without accelerating too fast," said Superintendent Katie Roberts. She noted that the district aims to avoid discouraging students from trying new sports or participating in multiple activities.
The committee also approved an increase in parking fees at Hingham High School. The cost for the close lot will rise from $80 to $225, while the far lot fee will jump from $20 to $125.
In a move that sparked considerable discussion, the committee approved a new $360 transportation fee for students in grades 7-12, with a family cap of $625. This fee will apply only to secondary students, as the district is not required to provide transportation for this age group.
However, a proposal to extend the bus fee to elementary students living between one and two miles from school was met with concern. Committee members and community members raised safety issues, particularly for young children who might have to cross busy streets if families opt out of bus service due to the fee.
Maria Zaid, a parent of elementary school children, expressed her worries during public comment. Her kindergartner and third grader would have to cross 3A at an intersection deemed so dangerous that cars are no longer allowed to cross.
In response to these concerns, the committee decided to reconsider the elementary school portion of the transportation fee proposal.
"I'm not comfortable just seeing how it goes for a year with those little kids," said committee member Kerry Ni.
The committee also authorized Superintendent Roberts to submit Statements of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for roof repairs at Hingham High School, Plymouth River Elementary School, and South Elementary School.
This move could potentially secure state funding for up to 33% of the project costs, similar to the recent Foster Elementary School project. The high school roof is considered the highest priority and will proceed with or without MSBA support.
"We want to make sure that if it is that we need those repairs done, that we're at least applying for those grants and seeing if we're going to be accepted into those programs," said Executive Director of Business & Support Services Aisha Oppong.
In other business, the committee approved changes to the Program of Studies for secondary schools. The changes include renaming course levels to align with more common terminology used in other districts. "Upper standard" courses will now be called "College Prep 1," while "standard" courses will be "College Prep 2."
"When a new student comes into Hingham High and looks at our program of studies, our language is so wildly different from our benchmark communities," Roberts explained. "This way, anyone coming in to look at our program of studies, the language will be familiar and very much in line with our benchmark here."
The committee also approved two student trips: one for the high school robotics team to compete in Rhode Island, and another for a group of high school students to visit Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris in April 2026.
The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. for a capital outlay discussion, followed by a joint meeting with the Select Board and Advisory Committee on Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m.