March 30, 2027 submitted by Jen Benham, Hingham Resident and School Committee Chair (courtesy photo)
Over the past several months, residents have engaged in thoughtful public discussion about the proposed Center for Active Living. That level of engagement reflects something positive about Hingham: we care about our town and we plan for the future.
There have also been ongoing conversations about the condition of our school buildings and the planning required to maintain them. A healthy community invests in many different kinds of spaces over time, and these efforts are part of that broader responsibility. They are not competing priorities, but part of the ongoing work of caring for our town and the people who live here.
The condition of our school buildings and the need for long-term capital planning have been discussed in Hingham for years. Over multiple budget cycles, the School Committee has reviewed facilities reports, listened to detailed presentations from district administrators, and asked thoughtful questions about timelines, costs, and long-term risks as part of overseeing a district whose buildings, like any public infrastructure, age over time.
Among the FY27 items requested are replacing aging ventilation equipment also known as ERU’s at East Elementary following water damage earlier this year, upgrading fire safety systems at the High School and addressing maintenance needs for the High School’s aging boiler system while the district awaits completion of the MSBA heat pump project. These requests are not for expansion projects, but essential systems that keep classrooms safe and operational every day. Funding for these projects will come before Town Meeting this April.
Beyond these immediate needs, the town is also planning for larger infrastructure projects already in progress. Roof replacement projects are planned for Plymouth River Elementary, South Elementary, and Hingham High School. Earlier this winter, Plymouth River Elementary was temporarily relocated out of an abundance of caution when a section of the roof near the cafeteria showed signs of structural stress during a period of heavy snow. Roofing specialists and a structural engineer evaluated the building while students and staff safely continued the school day at Hingham High School.
At the High School, the roof replacement project is being evaluated alongside a heat pump conversion (HVAC), as many of the school’s rooftop units and boiler systems are nearing the end of their useful life. Fortunately, Hingham has been accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Accelerated Repair Program for schematic design for three potential roof projects and one heat pump conversion project. Participation in the MSBA provides state reimbursement for a portion of eligible costs.
These roof and HVAC projects are currently in the design and approval phase and are not included on the warrant for this April Town Meeting. Future Town Meeting votes will be required before any construction funding is authorized.