South Shore News...Letter: Tax Classification Week

Abington, Pembroke, Plympton, Kingston, Whitman, and Hanson Choose Uniform Rates While Weymouth and Hanover split

This week’s municipal meetings painted a picture of South Shore communities wrestling with fundamental questions about tax policy fairness, while school districts continue adapting to a post-MCAS graduation landscape that’s producing unexpected consequences. From Whitman-Hanson’s budget crisis reaching a breaking point to voters approving major school construction projects, the week demonstrated both the resilience and fragility of municipal finance across the region.

Tax Classification: The Single-Rate Consensus

Several communities set their fiscal 2026 tax rates this week, with articles on 4 appearing on South Shore News, and their decisions reveal a shared philosophy about tax burden distribution—though one community took a dramatically different approach.

Abington dropped its rate 26 cents to $12.80 per thousand after unanimously rejecting a split-rate structure. Deputy Assessor Jolanta Briffett’s presentation made the case clear: with commercial properties comprising just 7.68% of the tax base, even the maximum allowable shift would save residential taxpayers less than 6% while increasing commercial taxes by 50%. The average single-family home, now valued at $588,990, will see a tax bill of $7,527.

Pembroke followed similar logic, setting its rate at $11.79 per thousand for properties that have seen values jump 60% since 2018. With residential properties comprising 88.41% of the tax base and commercial/industrial at just 12%, Chief Assessor Jeanne Gigliotti noted that communities with split rates typically have 15-30% commercial property. The average single-family home assessment rose to $638,400, resulting in a $7,527 tax bill—up $456 from the previous year.

Plympton saw its rate drop 63 cents to $14.26, with assessors recommending against a split rate given that commercial, industrial, and personal properties total just under 25% of the base—well below the roughly 35% threshold where splits become practical. An unexpected windfall came from utilities reporting over $8 million in personal property value. Meanwhile, mid-year budget reports showed concerning trends, with legal expenses already consuming 89% of the annual budget.

Weymouth, however, took the opposite approach, unanimously approving a 146% tax shift to commercial, industrial and personal properties—a slight decrease from last year’s 147% shift. This policy keeps Weymouth’s residential rates among the lowest in the region despite the average single-family home being valued at $613,460. Notably, the median commercial property value is only $562,900, demonstrating that Weymouth’s commercial base isn’t as valuable as many assume.

The pattern is clear: communities with limited commercial tax bases are rejecting split rates to avoid overburdening their business sectors, while Weymouth’s more substantial commercial presence allows aggressive shifting that protects residential taxpayers.

School Capital: Voters Approve Major Projects

South Shore voters demonstrated continued willingness to invest in school infrastructure, approving two significant debt exclusions.

Kingston residents approved a $1.6 million elementary school roof replacement project by a margin of 294-224 (56.8%-43.2%), with turnout reaching 518 voters. The Massachusetts School Building Authority will reimburse approximately 53% of costs, bringing the net local cost to roughly $750,000. The project addresses only the portion of roof exceeding 25 years of age that qualified for state funding—the remaining roof will likely require replacement in future years.

East Bridgewater voters approved their Central Elementary School project debt exclusion by 719-628 (53.4%-46.6%), clearing the second hurdle after special town meeting authorization earlier in the week. The facility, dating to 1951 with additions in 1961 and 2006, serves Pre-K through grade 2. The MSBA Core Program will provide substantial reimbursement for the new construction.

Education Policy: The MCAS Motivation Mystery

Pembroke confronted a puzzling disparity that may signal broader implications of eliminating MCAS as a graduation requirement. The district’s 10th grade MCAS scores dropped sharply—ELA proficiency fell from 59% to 39%, and math from 61% to 51%—while AP exam performance remained strong with 80% of students scoring three or better. Elementary grades actually improved, with 75% of students in grades 3-6 scoring above state averages.

Assistant Superintendent Marybeth Brust attributed the drop partly to students’ awareness that MCAS no longer determines graduation eligibility. Test proctors reported students finishing faster, with some essays suggesting minimal effort. Yet when Brust presented AP data—including 30 of 31 students passing AP English Language—the picture became more complex. “When we exist in a world where we’re always having kids revise, revise, revise...and then you’re taking this test and it’s a certain amount of work needs to get done in that daytime and kids are not used to that,” she explained.

The question now facing Pembroke and districts across the region: if students perceive standardized tests as low-stakes, can schools maintain rigorous assessment standards? The state’s accountability system still rates schools based on these scores, affecting how communities are perceived compared to neighbors.

Meanwhile, Hingham conducted first reading of its competency determination policy replacing MCAS requirements, establishing alternative pathways particularly for students with disabilities. The policy allows portfolio-based approaches spanning multiple years, with individualized timelines beginning in eighth grade. Teacher Jacqueline Beaupre raised equity concerns about general education students needing to pass final exams while special education students can demonstrate competency through portfolios, though Superintendent Katie Roberts clarified that passing finals isn’t required—only passing courses.

Whitman-Hanson: Crisis Reaches Breaking Point

The Whitman-Hanson situation exploded this week in a meeting that stretched four hours, with emotional testimony from students, parents, and staff confronting leadership over mid-year cuts eliminating 23 positions—including guidance counselor Ms. Atchison and adjustment counselor Karissa Scheim, who was named Staff Member of the Year last spring.

Senior Gianna Ruggiero captured the community’s disbelief: “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.” Ella Leach, who organized Monday’s student walkout, asked pointedly: “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?”

The teachers union formally submitted its vote of no confidence statement, requesting an independent financial audit and expressing concern that cuts hit positions described as “non-student facing” but actually impacted educational operations. Union President Kevin Kavka noted that “despite all the uncertainty and strain, your district educators continue to report to work every day, providing stability and care for your students.”

The committee voted to hold a special meeting November 25 to address the no-confidence vote and increase transparency, with committee reorganization also on the agenda. Following the meeting, School Committee member Kara Moser resigned immediately, citing “breakdowns in communication and trust that have put the district into a period of significant turmoil.”

Earlier in the week, the district issued RIF notices to five teachers, two long-term substitutes, 11 paraprofessionals, and five non-union staff as part of the budget adjustment process, with staff reorganization following collective bargaining bumping rights.

Environmental and Infrastructure Challenges

Duxbury confronted sobering evidence of environmental decline in its most vital natural resource. Peter Quigley of the Bay Management Commission presented the State of the Bay 2025 report showing that most of Duxbury Bay north of a line from the Harbormaster’s dock to High Pines now has nitrogen levels at or above concerning thresholds. Septic systems are the primary source, with the Snug Harbor shared system above the Bluefish River identified as a particular concern.

The report documented a 75% eelgrass die-off over the past decade, increasingly frequent episodes of extremely warm water above 77°F, and proliferation of invasive green crabs. Select Board member Mike McGee connected the issue to PFAS concerns: “We need to start thinking about it as water commissioners and about addressing the septic issue because the two issues seem to be very closely intertwined.”

Quigley warned that while nitrogen thresholds aren’t yet federally enforced, enforcement is likely coming—pointing to Cape Cod where all 15 towns now face nitrogen-sensitive area designations requiring removal in all septic systems with no grandfathering. Recommended actions include comprehensive nitrogen source assessment for the Bluefish and Back River watersheds, seasonal fertilizer bans, and enhanced shellfish cultivation. The 12 million oysters harvested in 2024 already remove the equivalent of waste from about 1,000 residents.

Hingham voted 5-2 to lease electric school buses from Highland Capital, committing to a seven-year deal promising $225,000 in first-year savings but considerable uncertainty in later years. Committee member Michelle Ayer cautioned against overstating benefits: “I don’t want people to think we’re saving $200,000 every year. It’s literally all in year one.” The district received positive news with four projects accepted into MSBA’s Accelerated Repair Program—roof replacements for South and Plymouth River schools, plus roof and heat pump conversion at the high school.

Planning and Governance

Scituate officially launched its six-to-eight-month redistricting process to establish attendance zones before the new Hatherly building opens in September 2027 and Cushing Elementary closes. Consultant Matthew Cropper outlined a timeline including a December 9 public webinar, February 25 presentation of draft boundary maps, and March 30 final recommendation. The process will affect approximately 8-12 sections of students currently at Cushing and Hatherly, with criteria emphasizing balanced facility utilization, demographic equity, proximity to homes, and minimizing disruption.

Norwell voted unanimously to continue its multigenerational community center study after the committee presented findings that three town-owned properties—South Street, Central Street, and the former DPW site on Main Street—could potentially accommodate a facility despite varying challenges. A resident raised concerns about deteriorating properties including the vacant Norwell Cleaners building, a collapsing garage near Old Town Hall, and houses on Forest Street, prompting discussion about the town’s lack of a property maintenance bylaw.

Weymouth Town Council reorganized smoothly following Mike Molisse’s election as mayor, with Pascale Burga becoming interim president and Greg Shanahan interim vice president under automatic succession provisions. Stephen Shinney joined as the newest at-large councilor. The council approved five committee appointments and one utility pole relocation.

Municipal Dysfunction

Rockland’s Board of Health cancelled its November 17 meeting after all three members failed to show, leaving no quorum. Health Agent Delshaune Flipp waited 20 minutes past start time before cancelling. While one member had notified staff that morning, Chair Robert Stephens and Vice Chair Tina Gallant provided no advance notice despite scheduled guests including two new regional public health employees and the South Shore Tobacco Coordinator. The cancellation left meeting minutes from as far back as February 27 unapproved.

Election Results

Abington held its special election on November 15 to fill the Select Board vacancy created by Amanda Zompetti’s resignation. Nicole Emery won the seat with nearly three years remaining on the term, though exact vote counts were unavailable at publication.

Looking Ahead

The convergence of tax classification decisions this week reveals communities’ shared understanding that aggressive shifts to limited commercial tax bases risk damaging business climate without meaningfully helping homeowners. Yet rising property values continue driving tax bills higher regardless of rate decreases, with Pembroke’s 60% value increase since 2018 serving as the most dramatic example of how strong real estate markets overwhelm rate policy.

The Whitman-Hanson crisis will test whether transparency measures and committee reorganization can restore community trust, or whether the damage runs too deep for administrative remedies. The November 25 special meeting carries enormous weight for a district struggling to maintain educational quality amid fiscal chaos.

And Pembroke’s MCAS results may be the canary in the coal mine for what happens when high-stakes testing becomes low-stakes—a question that will echo across the region as districts implement alternative competency determination pathways while wondering whether students will maintain effort on assessments that no longer affect their diplomas.