School Committee Approves Preschool Tuition Hike, Receives Positive Youth Survey Results

Hingham High's child development program fee rises to $450; substance use and mental health trends show improvement among students

HINGHAM, MA - October 7 - The Hingham School Committee approved a $100 increase in tuition for the high school's child development preschool program Monday night, raising the fee from $350 to $450. The committee also received encouraging results from the latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey, indicating significant decreases in substance use and improvements in mental health among Hingham students.

The preschool tuition hike, which passed unanimously, aims to cover rising costs associated with the program, particularly increased para-educator rates. Despite the increase, officials believe the fee remains reasonable at about $16 per four-hour session.

"We looked at it in terms of what the cost would be, how many sessions they would have, 28 sessions, what are the needs in terms of snacks, project materials, an EpiPen, et cetera, and a para educator," explained Aisha Oppong, Executive Director of Business & Support Services.

The program, which runs about 28 sessions each winter, typically serves around 10 students but hopes to expand with earlier approval and increased advertising.

"Most of the feedback that we've heard and have heard in terms of that program itself is such a great program," Oppong added. "It would be great to give them the opportunity to get the word out with the earlier approval."

In other business, Karen Beatty, K-12 Health Coordinator for Hingham Public Schools, presented results from the spring 2024 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The anonymous survey, designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tracks trends in student risk behavior and protective factors.

Beatty reported significant decreases in substance use across all surveyed grade levels. Vaping rates have dropped considerably, with the percentage of 11th-grade students reporting ever having vaped decreasing from 38% to 15% since 2023.

"We're seeing really promising reductions in vaping in our students in the last few years," Beatty said.

Alcohol consumption also showed promising decreases. In 11th grade, students reporting ever having drunk alcohol dropped from 65% to 41%, while recent drinking (within the last 30 days) fell from 46% to 29%.

Marijuana use among 11th-graders saw a significant reduction, with those reporting ever using dropping from 42% to 18%, and recent use declining from 24% to 11%.

Mental health indicators also showed improvement. The percentage of 11th-grade students reporting feeling sad or hopeless for two or more weeks in the past year decreased by 11% since 2019.

"We're seeing reductions in those numbers from 2019 down to 2024, especially if we look at grade 11," Beatty noted.

The survey also revealed strong community engagement among students, with 80% of high school students participating in at least one sport during the school year. Additionally, over 65% of students reported feeling a sense of belonging at school either frequently or all the time.

Superintendent Katie Roberts highlighted the importance of these protective factors.

"There's a lot of research that shows anxiety and substance abuse and sense of belonging all go together," Roberts said. "It does make sense that it's a rising tide. And if one of those protective factors is increasing, all others will as well."

School officials plan to use the survey data to shape curriculum, design support programs, and apply for grants. The district will continue to monitor these trends and adjust its approaches accordingly.

The next Hingham School Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m.