HANSON - November 19 - Students, parents, and educators packed the Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee meeting on November 19, spending an hour and half confronting leadership over mid-year staff cuts that eliminated beloved counselors and teachers, while the teachers union formally demanded a response to its vote of no confidence in district administration.
The Full Story
In a very emotionally charged meeting, the Whitman-Hanson community confronted school committee members and administrators over budget mismanagement that resulted in the elimination of student-facing positions, including guidance counselors, adjustment counselors, teachers, and support staff.
The testimony centered heavily on two high school counselors receiving pink slips: guidance counselor Ms. Atchison and adjustment counselor Karissa Scheim, who was named Staff Member of the Year last spring.
Gianna Ruggiero, a senior and three-year student advisory member, spoke on behalf of the student body. “I stand here in complete shock at the decision to let Mrs. Scheim go. She was staff member of the year. She is the foundation of this school, the sunshine,” Ruggiero said, describing how Scheim personally drives students to Key Club events and attends school activities to cheer them on.
Ella Leach, a senior who organized Monday’s student walkout, addressed the committee directly. “How did we end up in a world where not a single administrator job felt even a faint breeze from these layoffs while these teachers, you know, the people who actually teach us, took the entire hit?” She then shared that Scheim had helped her through a mental health crisis at age 14. “No one else was here for me, but you know who was? Mrs. Scheim was. She saved me,” Leach said through tears.
Paul Roback, a special education student, delivered brief but powerful remarks: “I love my teachers, I love my school, and I love my friends. It makes me very sad to hear that teachers are being cut. Please do better for me, please do better for my friends, and do better for my teachers who help us every day.”
Tessa Feeley explained the practical impact of losing a guidance counselor. “If we get rid of Ms. Atchison, it will result in approximately 230 students being divided amongst four other school counselors. This is an unfathomable responsibility for the other counselors to take on.”
Sixth-grader Porter Twomey told the committee he was losing both his math teacher, Mr. Hood, and band teacher, Mr. O’Hanley, almost three months into the school year. “I was nervous to start middle school, but these two teachers made that transition easier. It really makes me upset to think about going to school and not seeing them every day.”
Amy Gavin raised concerns about district governance early in the public comment period. “There is a clear lack of confidence in current leadership. A vote of no confidence in Jeff and George has already occurred, and it appears to have been largely glossed over,” Gavin said, referring to Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak and Assistant Superintendent George Ferro. She questioned why central office positions were elevated while student-facing roles were cut and criticized the organizational chart showing decision-making concentrated through both administrators.
Kevin Kavka, president of the Whitman-Hanson Education Association, formally submitted a statement requesting a response to the vote of no confidence. “This vote reflects deep and widespread concern among educators about leadership decisions that have directly contributed to the present crisis.” The union expressed particular concern that despite assurances cuts would target non-student-facing positions, “these reductions have directly impacted educational operations, building level support, and the day-to-day functioning of our schools.”
The union formally requested an independent third-party audit of district finances and collaborative involvement in future decision-making. “Despite all the uncertainty and strain, your district educators continue to report to work every day, providing stability and care for your students while we carry the emotional weight of unanswered questions.”
Jennifer Roback, mother of special education student Paul, said she had sent multiple emails to administration without receiving responses. “Families should not have to struggle to reach administration,” she said, questioning what non-student-facing positions were eliminated and requesting a clear plan for mitigating the educational impact of the cuts.
Kathleen Trask, mother of a high school junior, criticized what she perceived as lack of empathy from leadership. “To say things at a public meeting like, ‘this is our meeting, not yours,’ shows a lack of respect, care, and understanding of what it is to be a public servant.” She requested a public forum with an independent moderator and assemblies where the superintendent and school committee would speak directly to students and apologize for the mismanagement.
Joe Campbell, a union leader in the largest school district on the South Shore, warned about long-term damage. “My district has dealt with this same budget crisis since 2023. And it hurts, because it ripped us apart. And we still feel it every day. Work together,” he said. Campbell criticized the school committee for publicly blaming the towns for fiscal responsibility and raised concerns about committee members’ social media presence contradicting their public statements.
Dawn Byers called out systemic problems beyond the budget deficit. “This district does not operate like a regional school district. The staff operates in silos.” She criticized the committee for not verifying information from administration and questioned whether leaders involved in previous controversies, including a 2018 student walkout and 2019 cuts, should remain in positions. “Your silence perpetuated the toxic bullying culture that Whitman-Hanson has been known for.”
Caitlin Coon, a Whitman resident with three children across three district buildings, focused on communication needs. “We need clear, consistent communication that explains what led to this situation, what the plan is moving forward, and what safeguards will be put into place so this doesn’t happen again.” She specifically questioned how IEP services would remain uninterrupted during the staffing disruption.
Cheryl Happeny questioned eliminating an adjustment counselor who had been named Staff Member of the Year. “At a time when the stress high school students put on themselves is at an all-time high, their mental health needs are at an all-time high, and removing a highly effective and deeply trusted adjustment counselor is difficult to understand.”
In a particularly moving moment near the meeting’s end, Karissa Scheim approached the microphone. “There’s nothing I love more than being a part of this community, for the students, the staff, and everything that I’ve learned over the last six and a half, seven years,” Scheim said. “The only thing I’ve ever wanted to do is leave a mark and make a difference, and just let the kids soar and grow to who they can be, and I’m grateful that I was able to do that.”
During the business portion, Committee member Stephanie Blackman opened with an apology for November 5 comments. “I stated that the towns are putting money in their back pockets. I would like to apologize if those words led anyone to believe that I think any person or persons are stealing money.” She explained her intention was to express frustration with the towns’ ability to generate significant free cash while stating they cannot afford to support schools.
Brian Hyde, acting business manager from TMS consulting firm, provided a budget update focused on FY26 expenditures and revenue tracking. The presentation sparked questions from committee members about Chapter 70 funding amounts, with member Steve Bois noting the State Representative had provided a different figure than what appeared in the documents.
Hyde explained monthly state disbursements vary and provided October revenue details showing the district received $2,081,093, primarily in Chapter 70 funds. A lengthy discussion about school choice tuition revenue and expenditures followed, with Blackman pressing for clarity. “If you who is very familiar with how this all works is having difficulty understanding it, this is why the majority of the committee is having a difficult time understanding it,” she said, requesting “old-fashioned checkbook-style” accounting to improve transparency.
Member TJ Roffey asked Hyde to clarify the full scope of district spending beyond the $64.5 million general fund budget. Hyde acknowledged the total is likely around $72 million but lacked exact figures for grants, revolving accounts, and other funding sources in the moment.
Chair Beth Stafford announced the committee would begin holding two meetings per month starting in December, on December 3 and December 17, returning to a past practice. The committee unanimously approved the change.
Blackman made a motion for a special meeting November 25 to address the vote of no confidence, inform the public of policy and procedural changes since October 24, and hold an extended public hearing beyond the normal 15-minute limit. After discussion about proper structure and standing school committee policies, the motion passed with the meeting scheduled for 6:30 PM the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
Roffey motioned to include school committee reorganization on the November 25 agenda, which initially appeared to fail before the chair confirmed it passed by majority vote. The usual 10 member board had only 9 present, so votes to include reorganization passed with Blackman, Roffey, Rosemary Hill, Chris Marks, and Ryan Tressel voting in favor.
Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak was absent from the open portion of the meeting, an absence that was not addressed when the committee returned to open session after more than two and a half hours in executive session.
Why It Matters
The mid-year staff reductions have disrupted classroom instruction, eliminated crucial student support services, and shaken community confidence in district leadership and financial management. Students are losing teachers and counselors mid-year while remaining staff face increased caseloads. The budget crisis has exposed questions about transparency, accountability, and oversight that extend beyond the immediate deficit, with calls for independent audits and leadership changes. The November 25 special meeting will test whether the committee can begin rebuilding trust with a community that feels blindsided by decisions directly impacting student wellbeing.
Note: Following this meeting, School Committee member Kara Moser submitted her resignation effective immediately, citing breakdowns in communication and trust that have put the district “into a period of significant turmoil.” In her November 19 resignation letter, Moser wrote she could “no longer feel that I am able to commit the time and expertise necessary to support that effort as a committee member.” She stated she needed to prioritize her full-time job and her children in the Whitman-Hanson system, adding, “My children were the reason I initially became involved in this work, they were my motivation to volunteer as a member of this committee, and they ultimately need to be the reason right now why I step away.”
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Enter executive session to discuss reputation, character, physical condition, mental health rather than professional competence of an individual, and to conduct strategy sessions and preparations for negotiation with non-union personnel. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 9-0-1 (Hill abstained). (Timestamp: 0:01:51)
Motion: Return to open session from executive session. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:02:20)
Motion: Approve meeting minutes from October 8, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:43:37)
Motion: Approve meeting minutes from October 30, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:43:55)
Agreement: Hold two meetings per month starting December, with meetings December 3 and December 17, 2025. Outcome: Committee agreement (no formal vote required). (Timestamp: 0:45:19)
Motion: Hold special meeting Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Performing Arts Center to address vote of no confidence, inform public of policy and procedural changes since October 24, inform public of changes to ensure fiscal transparency, and conduct extended public hearing to listen to constituent concerns beyond 15-minute limit. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Not recorded. (Timestamp: 1:10:33)
Motion: Include reorganization of the school committee on November 25 meeting agenda. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 5-4(Chair Beth Stafford, Hillary Kniffen, Kara Moser, and Steve Bois opposed. Glen DiGravio left prior to the vote reducing the number for a majority). (Timestamp: 1:14:21)
Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:29:59)
Public Comment
The meeting featured nearly two hours of extended public comment with testimony from 27 speakers, including students, parents, teachers union representatives, and staff members. The overwhelming focus was on the impact of staff reductions, particularly the elimination of guidance counselor Ms. Atchison and adjustment counselor Karissa Scheim. Multiple students shared emotional stories about how these educators had supported them through difficult times, with several speakers breaking down in tears.
The Whitman-Hanson Education Association formally submitted a statement requesting a response to the vote of no confidence in the superintendent and assistant superintendent, expressing concern that staff reductions targeted positions described as “non-student facing” but actually impacted educational operations, and requesting an independent financial audit. Parents demanded greater transparency about what caused the deficit, clearer communication about the path forward, and assurances that special education services would remain compliant during the transition.
Community members criticized perceived lack of empathy and accountability from district leadership, with several calling for leadership changes and questioning why administrative positions were not included in the reductions. Students from elementary through high school testified about losing beloved teachers mid-year and disruption to their education and mental health support systems.
What’s Next
The school committee will hold a special meeting Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Performing Arts Center. This meeting will include an extended public hearing, address the teachers union’s vote of no confidence in district leadership, present information about policy and procedural changes implemented since October 24, and discuss steps to ensure fiscal transparency. The agenda will also include discussion of school committee reorganization.
The committee will resume its regular twice-monthly meeting schedule starting December 3, 2025, with subsequent meetings December 17. Items deferred from November 19 will be addressed December 3. The Hanson Select Board and remaining Hanson Members of the School Committee will need to appoint a new member to fill the vacancy created by Moser’s resignation.