September 16, 2025 By Carol Britton Meyer
The School Committee addressed a full agenda this week, from consideration of Supt. of Schools Katie Roberts’ goals and the committee’s own goals for the current school year to hearing an enrollment update and details of the Fiscal 2027 budget calendar.
Among the highlights of the superintendent’s goals are a multi-year plan to pilot and adopt a new elementary math program; continued emphasis on strengthening multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS) and special education; and a focus on major capital projects.
These include a future roof and HVAC system for the high school and roof-only projects for Plymouth River School and South School.
“Communication remains an ‘evergreen’ goal, as we continue to build on collaborative relationships between students, staff, district leaders, and the broader community,” Roberts told the Hingham Anchor in response to a followup email.
With regard to enrollment, the Hingham Public Schools district engaged in a New England School Development council (NESDEC) enrollment study last year (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jiS7uPri84ce-KTGpkPYMpEvPolxwvqz/view) to assist Roberts and other HPS administrators in making budgeting and staffing projections.
“This fall, we were pleased to see that the NESDEC projections, which predicted steady and slightly increasing enrollment for K-8, did in fact play out,” Roberts said.
Enrollment increases at elementary, middle schools
Of particular note is a larger kindergarten class, with 279 students enrolled in 2025 as compared to 256 kindergarten students enrolled in the fall of 2024.
Middle school enrollment had an overall increase of 18 students year over year, with a total enrollment of 819 in September 2025 compared to a total enrollment of 801 in September 2024.
Budget season update
Roberts also provided an update on the Fiscal 2027 budget calendar. “The school year no sooner begins than we are already making projections for the FY27 school year,” she noted.
The fall months will include discussions of budget priorities, with associated data analysis.
Budget season begins in earnest in January, with public presentations throughout the winter.
“All districts on the South Shore and beyond are currently facing challenging budgetary circumstances, with existential questions surrounding federal funding, tight municipal budgets, and ever-increasing student needs,” Roberts said. “We will continue to keep the Portrait of a Learner https://www.hinghamschools.org/page/portrait-of-a-learner and HPS strategic plan as our north star as we craft a budget to best meet the needs of students.”
School committee goals
Governance and stewardship and family and community engagement are among the committee’s goals for the new school year.
With regard to the first goal, “transparent and responsible fiscal oversight, aligning resources with student needs and community priorities, and ensuring that the budget communicates the values of the committee,” are of high priority.
Advance long-range planning for the operating budget and facilities, policies, and programs to ensure sustainability and student success and well-being are another is another priority.
The second goal focuses on encouraging “consistent communication and feedback in partnership with administration, families, and residents to keep schools connected to the community they serve.”
Subcommittees relate to finance/capital and facilities; policy; salary and negotiations; and educational programming.