HULL - December 15, 2025 - In a decisive move against what they termed “high stakes testing,” the Hull School Committee voted unanimously to strip language requiring end-of-course assessments from their local graduation policy (File IKF). The vote came amid a broader discussion on the state’s new “Vision of a Massachusetts Graduate” framework, signaling the district’s willingness to challenge state recommendations to protect students from excessive standardized testing.
The Full Story
The most significant action of the night centered on Policy IKF, which governs graduation requirements. Superintendent Michael Jette presented a revised draft that removed a controversial sentence requiring students to pass end-of-course assessments to graduate. This change was directly requested by the committee at a previous meeting.
The context for this decision is the state’s newly released “Vision of a Massachusetts Graduate” report, which outlines seven “buckets” of requirements for future graduates, including end-of-course assessments designed and scored by the state. While the state’s plan is still in the recommendation phase, Hull’s committee moved proactively to ensure their local policy did not inadvertently impose these requirements on current students, particularly the Class of 2026.
Superintendent Jette acknowledged that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires the district to submit a template by December 31 explaining how they determine student competency. By striking the language, the district may face pushback from the state.
“Removing that sentence is exactly the same scenario as leaving that sentence in... We’re taking a stand,” Superintendent Jette said. “We’re comfortable with the stand and we’re comfortable explaining the stand.”
Member Aleeza Hagerty was a vocal proponent of the change, expressing frustration with the state’s direction.
“I wish the state would stand by their... they allowed us the opportunity to vote out a high-stakes test and they keep trying to push one back on with a different name and I am offended by that,” Hagerty said. “So this is one reason I’d like to just strike out our one high-stakes test that was in there.”
The committee voted to waive the second reading and immediately adopt the revised policy, solidifying their position before the state’s end-of-year deadline.
Why It Matters
For Hull families, this vote effectively shields current high school students from additional standardized testing requirements that could have been used as barriers to graduation. It represents a local school board asserting control over curriculum and assessment standards against state-level pressure. If the state accepts Hull’s submission, it could set a precedent for how other districts handle the transition away from MCAS.
Global Leadership Summit Approved for 2027
The committee approved a proposal for a new international field trip: a “Global Leadership Summit” scheduled for July 2027. Presented by staff members Kim Wall and Tia Faletti, the trip will take students to Prague and Paris.
Unlike previous trips focused solely on tourism or service, this itinerary is centered on “social responsibility.” Students will participate in a three-day leadership conference in Prague before traveling to Paris. The estimated cost is approximately $5,400 per student.
“I really want these kids to come back with a sense of confidence, a sense of empowerment,” Wall said. “I want them to be able to feel comfortable... commanding a room or a team or a club and have a voice.”
The trip is open to students in current grades 8–10. The committee debated the eligibility of graduated seniors (who would have just graduated in June 2027), with Member Hagerty expressing “great pause” over liability concerns regarding 18-year-old non-students traveling with the school group. Despite these concerns, the trip was approved unanimously to allow fundraising to begin immediately.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the International Field Trip to Prague and Paris for July 2027.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 5-0
Motion: To waive the second reading and adopt Policy IKF (Graduation Requirements) with the removal of end-of-course assessment language.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 5-0
Motion: To waive the second and third readings and adopt Policy EFC (Universal Free School Meals).
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: 5-0
Financial Overview
School Business Administrator Diane Saniuk provided a “Budget 101” presentation ahead of next month’s FY27 budget proposal. Key data points included:
State Aid: Chapter 70 aid has stagnated, moving only from $3.8 million in FY17 to just over $4 million in FY25, failing to keep pace with inflation.
Funding Sources: 69.2% of the school budget comes from local tax receipts, highlighting the town’s heavy reliance on property taxes over state assistance.
Status: Saniuk confirmed the district is fully funded and not facing the “dire straits” seen in other Massachusetts districts.
What’s Next
December 31: Deadline for the district to submit its competency determination template to the state.
January 12, 2026: Next School Committee meeting, where subcommittee assignments will be finalized.
January: Presentation of the FY27 Budget “Ask.”