Hingham school leaders are set to re-evaluate elementary class size guidelines after data revealed the district is a regional outlier, with some second-grade sections reaching 25 students. During Monday night’s School Committee meeting, Chair Jen Benham presented research into 13 benchmark towns—covering 34 elementary schools—showing Hingham was the only district where a second-grade class had grown to that size. Benham argued that the current reality necessitates a formal review by the policy subcommittee, noting, Based on that data, I think it would be prudent for the policy subcommittee to review our class size policy at the elementary level.

The discussion highlighted a growing friction between desired service levels and the town’s 3.5% Sustainable Budget spending cap. While parents and committee members expressed concern over the impact of large classes on early literacy, the financial path to smaller sections remains unclear. Tim Dempsey voiced the central dilemma facing the board as it moves toward Town Meeting, asking, The challenge is the only way to get smaller class sizes is with more teaching staff. We just went through budget season—where do we get that teaching staff?

Superintendent Dr. Margaret Adams echoed the importance of the issue, stating that while the district has invested heavily in Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) staffing and para-educators, it is true that for grade two, we are a bit of an outlier. Grade two is a very important grade as children are still learning to read. Committee member Michelle Ayer pushed back against suggestions that the district is overstaffed despite fluctuating enrollment figures. When we hear so much about enrollment going down, why is your budget going up? It's the cost of all the things, Ayer said, noting that the district has already cut nine general education positions at the elementary level since fiscal year 2021.

As the district finalizes its $72,847,183 operating budget for FY27, Dr. Adams reported that leadership is conducting a final round of community engagement, including presentations to the All-Town PTO and individual school councils. This outreach comes as the district also prepares its 2025 Town Report, which was approved for submission Monday. The committee refined the document to better emphasize staff expertise and student-centered budgeting. Carrie Ni noted that her suggestions were incorporated to ensure the language reflected firm commitments, stating, The request was changed to 'commits.' That was my suggestion. Tim Dempsey praised the final version, noting, It was a strong document before. I think it is even better now.

Motion Made by M. Ayer to approve submission of the Hingham Public Schools 2025 Town Report. Motion Passed 6-0-0

The committee also conducted a deep dive into the High School Business Department, the first comprehensive review under a new 2022 protocol. Director of Social Studies and Business Andy Hoy described the department as small but mighty, announcing the launch of a new AP Business with Personal Finance course next year. However, Hoy identified a significant barrier to student participation: the fact that business electives do not currently count toward a student’s GPA. Hoy noted that 57% of students surveyed said they would be more likely to take a business class if it were factored into their GPA, similar to neighboring districts like Duxbury and Marshfield. Many students are likely not taking these courses because they don't count towards their GPA, Hoy said.

Committee members expressed surprise at the breadth of the current offerings, with Matt Cosman suggesting the district should do more to promote the program to prospective families. I didn't realize how robust our business department was. I feel like we could maybe do more marketing. I'm thinking about people making decisions about which high school their kids go to, Cosman said. Chair Jen Benham admitted she was torn on the GPA piece because electives should ideally remain low-pressure, but she signaled interest in exploring the balance of offering honors or college-prep credits for certain courses.

In other business, the committee approved a Memorandum of Agreement to ensure secondary counselors are available during the summer to manage student placements and scheduling. Motion Made by M. Ayer to approve the memorandum of agreement between the Hingham School Committee and the Hingham Education Association as it relates to summer counselor work. Motion Passed 6-0-0

The board also fast-tracked four updated food service policies to comply with an upcoming Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) review. Alyson Anderson explained that the updates cover meal modifications for allergies, the shift to universal free school meals in Massachusetts, and civil rights complaint procedures. EFD is the school nutrition program policy, noting we would not deny a child a meal if they didn't have money on their account, Anderson noted during the readings.

Motion Made by A. Anderson to approve policy EFBA (School Food and Nutrition), policy EFC (Universal Free School Meals), policy EFD (School Nutrition Program), and policy EF (Civil Rights Complaint Policy). Motions Passed 6-0-0

Assistant Superintendent Erica Pollard highlighted upcoming student opportunities, including a tour of the Traces Construction Technology Program on March 27th, which offers hands-on training in carpentry and architectural design. She also noted a recent caregiver conversation led by Vanessa Webb that applied the Science of Well-being to the lives of teenagers, with a follow-up session on student mental health scheduled for May.