Hingham School Committee approves strategic plan, addresses elementary enrollment surge
District faces growing class sizes at East School while implementing three-year roadmap focused on mathematics curriculum and community partnerships.
HINGHAM - June 16 - The Hingham School Committee approved a new three-year strategic plan and addressed mounting enrollment pressures at elementary schools during its June 16 meeting, with officials announcing immediate classroom adjustments to accommodate an influx of new students.
Superintendent Katie Roberts presented the 2025-2028 strategic plan, developed through six sessions with a committee representing administrators, educators, students and community members. The plan shifts focus from literacy to mathematics curriculum while maintaining five core areas: collaboration and community partnerships, innovative teaching and learning, healthy and inclusive environments, capital and finance, and human resources and leadership.
"This year, while our approach to strategic planning was similar to past years, we did take an initial first step this time around, which was to begin by developing our portrait of a learner to ensure that all of our future strategic planning activities would be student-centered," Roberts said.
The district's mission statement receives minor updates, now reading: "Together we will cultivate an innovative, inclusive, and equitable learning environment while supporting each student's academic, social, and emotional growth."
Elementary enrollment presents immediate challenges, with first grade at East School reaching 73 students as of the meeting date. The district recommends adding a fourth section to maintain class sizes below the 23-student policy limit for grades K-1.
To keep the change budget-neutral, officials propose reducing South School's second grade from four sections to three, which would still maintain class sizes below the 25-student policy limit for grades 2-5.
"We had an influx of Grade 1 students at East since the time we made our projections," Roberts explained. "Given that, any students over 69 will mean that we will not be able to maintain the class sizes of 23 that's prescribed for Grade 1."
Two kindergarten classes at East and Foster schools currently sit at exactly 69 students each, the maximum allowed under district policy. Officials continue monitoring these sections for potential summer enrollment increases.
The strategic plan emphasizes mathematics education improvements, including building thinking classrooms and an elementary math pilot program. Secondary scheduling reviews aim to enhance multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) at middle and high school levels.
"Our 25 to 28 curriculum, we're going to see a shift in focus to mathematics," Roberts said. "And we've already shared with the committee some of the initiatives that we have underway from building thinking classrooms to our elementary math pilot taking place."
Technology integration receives attention with a focus on balanced screen time, particularly at elementary levels. The plan calls for prioritizing hands-on, kinesthetic learning approaches when selecting new curriculum.
Special education programming continues strengthening under incoming Director of Student Services Dr. Christine Panarese, who begins full-time duties in July. Outgoing interim director Dr. Barbara Cataldo completed work on entrance and exit criteria for specialized programs and enhanced professional development for paraprofessionals.
The committee approved updated guidelines for the Kids in Action after-school program, increasing assistant teacher pay rates and adding three paid holidays. Program Director Jackie Sansone has expanded services to include before-school programming at all elementary schools.
Interventionist guidelines also received approval, adding Indigenous Peoples Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day as paid holidays while implementing a 3% hourly rate increase to $39.47 per hour.
The district restructures maintenance supervision by eliminating one supervisor position while expanding the custodial supervisor role to oversee facilities projects. The pilot program addresses multiple capital projects including roof work, HVAC installations and theater updates.
"We were prioritizing student facing positions," Roberts said. "So, this was one of the efficiencies that we proposed in order to save student-facing positions."
Enrollment data shows positive trends with 258 kindergarteners currently enrolled and 276 entering first grade, indicating families choosing public schools over private alternatives. The increase aligns with projections from the district's enrollment study.
Business Director Aisha Oppong noted the typical first-grade enrollment bump as families transition from private kindergarten programs or delay entry by one year.
The committee reviewed the town's updated financial policy, which suggests extending the current memorandum of understanding beyond 2028. The policy maintains the district's commitment to financial responsibility while preserving flexibility for future override considerations.
Jacqueline Beaupré, president of the Hingham Education Association, raised concerns about meeting living wage requirements during upcoming contract negotiations, noting current starting salaries fall below Norfolk County's $70,000 living wage threshold.
Other business included approving superintendent evaluation timelines with a July 21 completion target and scheduling summer meetings for June 30 via Zoom, July 21 and Aug. 18 in person.
The strategic plan development involved Teaching and Learning Alliance consultants, who noted most districts now prefer three-year plans over five-year commitments due to rapid educational landscape changes and financial uncertainties.
Committee members praised the collaborative planning process and academic focus improvements from the previous strategic plan, particularly successful MTSS implementation at elementary levels.