HULL - November 3 - Hull Public Schools unveiled an ambitious expansion of its garden program that will unify elementary, middle, and high school efforts to grow fresh produce for student consumption, marking a significant shift from isolated gardening activities to a district-wide farm-to-table educational initiative.
The Full Story
Parent volunteer Heather Saforrian presented the comprehensive vision to the School Committee, outlining how the program now connects previously separate efforts at the Jacobs School, Hull High School, and incorporates the high school greenhouse for year-round production. The initiative represents a fundamental shift in how the district approaches both nutrition education and food services integration.
The expanded program focuses on growing crops that can actually be utilized in school cafeterias, including greens, lettuces, herbs, and squashes. Food Services Director Sue and her team have committed to incorporating school-grown produce into student meals, with mint-infused water, fresh herbs, and vegetables already appearing in cafeteria offerings. Photos presented showed squash harvested from school gardens lined up in the Jacobs School cafeteria and tomatoes with fresh basil being prepared for student meals.
Saforrian explained that the program addresses a critical gap that existed for years. “Without being able to sort of eat what you’ve grown, it’s just kind of like a little too abstract,” she told the committee. The new approach implements a plant-and-harvest cycle each season rather than the previous spring-plant, fall-harvest model, ensuring more consistent crop availability and student engagement throughout the school year.
The district has installed protective fencing around garden beds to prevent wildlife from destroying crops, addressing a longstanding problem where deer and rabbits would consume entire plantings before students could harvest them. Additional garden beds built by shop teacher Matt during the summer are now operational at the high school, and the greenhouse is being used for food production for the first time.
Community involvement represents a significant component of the expansion. Saforrian described connecting with local gardening groups and individual gardeners throughout Hull who are contributing plants, expertise, and support. “There are tons of people in this town and there are groups already organized working on gardening,” she said, noting that community gardeners have donated herb plants, blackberry bushes, and other materials while providing ongoing guidance.
Funding for the initiative comes from multiple sources without requiring major budget allocations. The program received a $450 grant for garden beds and an $1,100 scholarship from partner organization Holly Hill Farm to send middle school students there for the first time. Holly Hill continues to provide programming support, with representative Johnny Belber meeting with Saforrian to discuss fundraising and garden expansion opportunities.
Future plans include potentially establishing a pumpkin patch on unused grassy lawn space at the Jacobs School and expanding terrace-style garden boxes up a hill behind existing beds. The program is also exploring creative fundraising including potentially selling seaweed collected from Hull’s beaches to composting vendors and organizing community events at the school’s waterfront field.
Saforrian emphasized the program’s sustainability model. “I really think that the way we’re going to do things is going to be self-sustaining,” she explained. The initiative incorporates composting education, with fifth-graders learning about the composting process and potentially expanding those efforts to include community composting opportunities.
School Committee members responded enthusiastically to the presentation. Committee member Lily Hedrick noted the program’s community-building aspects, saying “your collaboration, your ability to bring everybody together for this purpose, you’re motivating the kids, you’re inspiring our kitchen staff.” Chair Kyle Conley praised the “infectious enthusiasm” and thanked Saforrian for seeking external funding sources given tight budget constraints.
The expanded program now serves students from pre-kindergarten through high school, with different grade levels participating in age-appropriate activities from seed collection to planting to composting. Holly Hill Farm provides 11 structured activities that teachers can independently implement with their classes throughout the growing season.
Principal Kyle Shaw praised Saforrian as “a gift to the Jacobs School” and “a force to be reckoned with,” noting that “our garden has never looked as good as it does now.” The program benefits from collaboration with the Green Team clubs at both the middle and high school levels, whose members help maintain the gardens and greenhouse operations.
The meeting also featured extensive presentations on the Jacobs School’s expanding arts programs. Music teacher Miss B.W., who joined the district this year, outlined dramatic growth in the drama club program, which now serves 42 students in grades four through seven, nearly double last year’s participation. The club will perform “Dear Edwina Junior” on December 18 and 19, with student officers managing various production aspects and a student tech crew learning lighting, costumes, and set design.
Middle school music teacher Mr. St. George reported that student fundraising efforts for field trips to see the Providence Bruins and Boston Pops have exceeded expectations, raising approximately $3,200 through cookie dough and baked goods sales. The funds will cover transportation costs for both trips, reducing ticket fees to $25 for the Bruins game and $50 for the Pops concert. Music officers Verona Hedrick and Logan Pergola, representing a group of nine seventh-grade student leaders, presented updates on band and chorus activities, including the upcoming Turkey Trot performance where band and chorus will perform together for the first time.
The School Committee also addressed mathematics curriculum concerns during the meeting. Director of Curriculum Christine Cappadonna explained that the district is using DESE-approved Envision Math materials and is exploring a consultant to conduct comprehensive classroom observations and data analysis to understand root causes of lower math performance. The consultant work is estimated at $10,000 and would include teacher interviews, classroom visits across all math classes, and detailed data analysis with recommendations.
Committee members pressed for deeper understanding of math instructional practices. Committee member Brendan Kilroe urged a focus on root cause analysis, stating “I don’t hear the root cause analysis of why math is down. I hear excuses. I hear task level stuff.” He advocated for creating a task force of math teachers rather than hiring consultants, arguing “If you get your teachers with your kids, you find your problem right there.”
Cappadonna defended the approach, explaining the consultant would conduct extensive classroom observations and teacher interviews to identify specific areas needing attention. She noted that the district is examining curriculum implementation, student discourse practices, and ensuring adequate practice time for mathematical concepts. The high school uses Envision Math for algebra, geometry, and algebra two with textbooks available, while eighth grade recently adopted the curriculum with workbooks and digital licenses. Elementary grades use Everyday Math with reference books and workbooks.
Discussion revealed concerns about over-reliance on IXL, a computer-based math program used for both practice and assessment. Committee members questioned whether students rush through assignments to reach percentage goals rather than understanding concepts, and whether teachers have adequate time to analyze the data and adjust instruction accordingly. Principal Shaw clarified that classroom instruction remains hands-on with paper and pencil work in math journals, with IXL serving as supplemental practice typically completed at home.
The committee unanimously approved first readings of three required food service policies: meal modifications for students with disabilities or dietary concerns, nutrition program charges for a la carte items, and civil rights complaint procedures. Superintendent Dr. Jette reminded the public that free breakfast and lunch remain available to all students daily despite federal government changes, and that community members facing food insecurity can contact schools or partner organization Wellspring for assistance.
School safety updates included announcement of emergency response training scheduled for the following day, when staff would participate in scenarios using new protocols unified with the Hull Police Department. Dr. Jette also urged the community to observe the 20 mile per hour speed limit in school parking lots, noting a recent vehicle accident in the Jacobs School lot and frequent observations of unsafe speeds and failure to follow directional signs.
The committee approved a revised emergency plans policy changing the requirement from three-year reviews to annual reviews, reflecting the district’s more active safety management approach. Committee members also announced subcommittee assignments, with budget oversight assigned to members Kyle Conley and Courtney Littlefield, and policy review to members Lily Hedrick and Aleeza Hagerty. Three advisory teams were established covering budget and finance, community relations, and student success.
Why It Matters
The expanded garden-to-cafeteria program represents more than enhanced nutrition education. It creates tangible connections between classroom learning and real-world food systems while providing students hands-on opportunities to contribute meaningfully to their school community. By unifying efforts across grade levels and incorporating community partnerships, Hull is building a sustainable model that reduces dependence on annual fundraising while teaching students valuable lessons about agriculture, nutrition, environmental stewardship, and community collaboration. The program’s success demonstrates how creative parent engagement combined with supportive administration and willing food service staff can transform educational opportunities without requiring significant budget increases, offering a potential model for other districts facing similar resource constraints.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve the meeting agenda. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous.
Motion: Approve minutes from October 20th regular meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous.
Motion: First reading of three school meals policies (EFB meal modifications, EFD nutrition program charges, EFE civil rights complaints). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous.
Motion: First reading of revised policy EBC emergency plans (changing from three-year to annual review cycle). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous.
Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous.
Public Comment
No members of the public provided input during the designated public comment period for agenda items.
What’s Next
The School Committee will conduct second readings and final votes on the four policies approved for first reading at the next meeting. Emergency response training for all staff will take place the day following this meeting with scenarios using unified protocols developed with Hull Police Department. The garden program will continue seasonal planting activities through November, with discussions scheduled with Holly Hill Farm regarding composting expansion and potential use of leaf collection for compost material. The Jacobs School drama club will perform “Dear Edwina Junior” on December 18 and 19. Middle school music students will travel to see the Providence Bruins in January and Boston Pops in June, with transportation costs covered by fundraising proceeds. The district will proceed with hiring a consultant for comprehensive math program audit including classroom observations, teacher interviews, and data analysis with recommendations expected by spring.