School Committee Approves Roof Replacement Projects, Accepts $1.27 Million Donation

Hingham to Propose Warrant Articles for Three School Roofs, Sports Partnership Funds Dock Construction

HINGHAM, MA - November 4 - The Hingham School Committee has approved plans to propose warrant articles for the full replacement of roofs at three schools, with the high school project alone estimated to cost $14.6 million. The committee also accepted a $1.27 million donation from the Hingham Sports Partnership for a dock project.

During its Nov. 4 meeting, the committee voted to bring forth warrant articles at the April 2025 town meeting for roof replacements at Hingham High School, Plymouth River School, and South Elementary School.

Matthew Meehan, Facilities Director, presented a detailed assessment of the three roofs, highlighting their deteriorating conditions. The high school roof, last replaced in 1998, was described as being in "poor" condition, with failing seams and water intrusion issues.

"I didn't see a single roof at the high school that did not have this problem," Meehan said, referring to cracked sealants and peeling seams.

The total construction cost for the high school roof replacement is estimated at $11.2 million, with additional soft costs bringing the total to $14.6 million.

Plymouth River School's roof, partially replaced in 1999, also shows significant wear. "PRS in line. And we'll be repairing that roof until it's replaced. Every single year," Meehan stated.

South Elementary School's roof, while in slightly better condition, still requires attention, particularly on its north-facing sections.

The committee decided to propose two separate warrant articles: one for the high school and another for Plymouth River and South Elementary schools combined.

"I like that idea," said Chair Nes Correnti, addressing concerns about presenting all projects at once. "The concern that we were talking about at our finance meeting is if we put one on now, and then we put on another one in a year or two, and then people are going to be like, we just did that, why are we on this again?"

In a separate action, the committee accepted a donation of $1,271,512 from the Hingham Sports Partnership to fund the construction and completion of a dock project.

The donation covers the majority of the project's costs, with $280,000 already received and the remaining $1.2 million to be provided through pledges and a line of credit.

"HSP has about a million 70,000 collected," Michelle Ayer clarified during discussions about the donation's structure.

The committee expressed gratitude for the partnership's support. "Thank you HSP for this extremely generous gift. We are very excited," said Correnti.

In other business, the committee approved rate increases for bus monitors and custodial substitutes. Bus monitor rates will increase to $19 for regular monitors, $21 for METCO monitors, and $20.50 for wheelchair monitors, effective September 1, 2024.

Custodial substitute rates will increase to $18.50 for short-term and $20.50 for long-term substitutes, effective November 4, 2024.

The committee also accepted a $2,000 grant from BAE Systems for the Hingham High School robotics team to participate in the FIRST league this year.

Additionally, the committee approved the installation of a memorial bench in honor of Lauren McGrath, a former student who passed away in early October. The bench, funded by local PTOs and private individuals, will be placed along a walking path frequented by dog walkers.

"The McGrath family is very much beloved by the Hingham community," said Katie Roberts, acting superintendent. "Lauren was a very big dog lover and so the family felt that this would be a nice way to remember her."

The next school committee meetings are scheduled for Nov. 18 and Dec. 2, both at 6:30 p.m.