Hingham School Committee Presents FY26 Budget Amid Financial Constraints

Proposed 3.5% Growth Cap Leads to New Fees, Potential Staff Reductions

HINGHAM - February 3 and 4 - The Hingham School Committee presented its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal at a joint meeting with the Select Board and Advisory Committee on Feb. 4, highlighting efforts to maintain services within a 3.5% growth cap set by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the town.

Superintendent Katie Roberts outlined the challenges faced by the district in meeting the MOU's financial limitations while striving to preserve student-facing positions and educational offerings.

"Financial limitations in this budget may require the town to prioritize the utilization of available resources, which may leave certain programs and activities funded at a lower levels than desired or not funded at all," Roberts said.

The proposed budget includes the introduction of new student fees and potential staff reductions to meet financial constraints. Among the most significant changes is a new transportation fee for secondary students.

"We do propose introduction of a transportation fee only at the secondary level. So for students in grades 7 to 12, a transportation fee of $250 per student with a $500 family cap," Roberts explained.

The district also plans to increase athletics fees, introducing a fee for students participating in a second sport and raising the family cap for multiple students.

Aisha Oppong, Director for Business and Support Services, presented the financial details of the budget. She emphasized that only 4% of the budget is discretionary, with 81% allocated to contractual salaries and 15% to fixed costs like utilities.

"We're asking for a whopping 2.3% increase in our budget, which is personnel costs. No other costs other than the regular expenses," Oppong stated.

The school committee is also seeking approval for several capital projects, including roof replacements at Hingham High School, Plymouth River Elementary School, and South Elementary School. The high school roof replacement is estimated to cost $14,619,000.

"We think it most prudent to move towards ensuring that we can replace that roof as soon as possible," Oppong said regarding the high school project.

The committee is also proposing the replacement of the high school turf field at an estimated cost of $880,000, with $250,000 coming from revolving funds.

Enrollment trends were a key topic of discussion. Roberts presented preliminary data from a recent enrollment study, indicating projected increases in elementary and middle school enrollment over the next 10 years, while high school enrollment is expected to decrease.

"Our elementary enrollment both over the next three years and over the next 10 years is expected to increase," Roberts reported.

The budget proposal also includes plans to strengthen the district's multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) and address growing needs in special education and student services.

Dr. Barbara Cataldo, Director for Student Services, highlighted the increasing number of students requiring special education services, rising from 604 in 2020 to 686 in 2024.

Other notable items from the meeting include:

- A proposal to equip three school buses with cameras to address safety concerns related to vehicles illegally passing stopped buses

- Plans to lease three electric school buses, contingent on federal grant funding

- A request for Town Meeting approval to allow the school committee to enter into longer-term bus leases

- Submission of statements of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for roof repair projects

The school committee will continue to refine the budget proposal in the coming weeks, with additional meetings scheduled to address public comments and questions.

February 3 - The prior evening the School Committee voted to increase transportation and athletic fees for the upcoming fiscal year, citing the need to balance the budget without making cuts to educational programs.

Committee members approved a new secondary transportation fee of $250 per student with a $500 family cap. The fee will apply to students in grades 7-12.

"We are not recommending an elementary bus fee, we are only focused on a secondary transportation fee," said Superintendent Katie Roberts.

The committee also raised athletic fees to $450 for the first sport and $650 for a multi-sport athlete. Hockey players will pay $750 for their first sport due to higher costs associated with ice time. Family caps for non-hockey sports are $1,400, and hockey families cap at $1,700.

Roberts explained the fee increases are necessary to maintain the district's offerings without exceeding a 3.5% budget growth rate agreed upon in a previous memorandum of understanding.

"In order for us to not make cuts, we're trying to figure out what are the levers that we can pull here," said Committee Chair Nes Correnti. "Increasing fees or implementing fees is one of those ideas."

The transportation fee is expected to generate about $162,000 in revenue for the district. Officials estimate an 80% participation rate among eligible students, accounting for families who may qualify for fee waivers.

Some committee members expressed concern about the impact on families. Student representative Slater reported receiving "a lot of feedback" from peers about the new fees.

"It doesn't seem like a lot of people understand why it's happening," Slater said. "I understand why, but I don't think they understand why if they feel like the cost is being passed down to them as students."

Roberts acknowledged the challenge and committed to working with Slater to improve communication with students about the budget constraints driving the fee increases.

The committee also approved an increase in parking fees at the high school, raising the cost for the close lot from $225 to $250 and the far lot from $100 to $125.

Some members suggested the higher parking fees could encourage more bus ridership, potentially reducing traffic congestion and emissions around the school.

"If we can encourage the kids to take the bus, then it means there's less traffic coming in around the high school as well," said Aisha Oppong, the District's Director of Business and Support Services.

The fee increases are part of a broader effort to balance the district's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Roberts noted that fixed costs like contracts, utilities, and out-of-district tuitions limit the options for adjusting the budget.

"We really have to hone in on the remaining budget levers that we have," Roberts said.

The committee will hold a public hearing on the full budget proposal on Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Correnti encouraged community members to attend and provide feedback.

"We get a lot of feedback that way and it's always good to hear," she said.

Full meetings available via Harbor Media. February 3 and February 4.