July 22, 2025 By Carol Britton Meyer
The School Committee rated Supt. of Schools Katie Roberts’ overall performance during her first year on the job as “exemplary.”
School Committee Chair Jen Benham and Vice Chair Michelle Ayer compiled a composite write-up of the committee’s individual evaluations, which was presented at Monday’s meeting.
Roberts recently presented the school committee with “summative artifacts” (evidence of her work toward meeting performance expectations) as part of this year’s superintendent evaluation process.
The evaluation categories included assessment of progress toward professional practice, student learning, and district improvement goals and on standards (instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture) and overall performance, which earned Roberts an overall “exemplary” rating.
There was also a section for evaluator comments, including:
- “the composite results for Superintendent Roberts’ first year are overwhelmingly positive and highlight her outstanding work stabilizing the district after five years of significant leadership turnover.”
- commendations for her work ethic, intellect, communication skills, empathy and compassion, professionalism, community engagement, significant improvements in employee relations, “and most importantly, her focus on student needs — both academic and well-being — all of which reflect remarkable leadership qualities for a first-year superintendent. “
- Roberts was “highly visible in the community, fostering confidence and accessibility within the buildings and throughout the town — including her presence at Town Meeting answering questions and addressing concerns related to the turf field replacement and at various events around town to answer questions, promote HPS, and connect with the community. The level and quality of engagement earns Superintendent Roberts high marks from both the School Committee and the community for her competence, respectfulness, and empathy.”
While according to the evaluation comments, there was some hesitation “in setting the rating bar too high and acknowledging room for professional growth,” the School Committee’s composite ratings reflect that Roberts “has exceeded expectations for a first-year superintendent and made significant and meaningful progress against her FY25 goals” — including demonstrated focus on instructional improvements, robust professional development, innovative classroom technology, sound hiring recommendations/appointments, improved communications and engagement, long overdue business department/HR office enhancements, “and an unwavering commitment to student outcomes. Based on these tangible and impressive results, we are therefore pleased to provide Superintendent Roberts with a rating of ‘exemplary.'”
‘I care deeply about our students, schools, and community’
Following the evaluation, Roberts expressed appreciation for having the benefit of the School Committee’s support during her first year on the job, after serving the Hingham Public Schools district in different capacities for many years.
“I care deeply about our students, schools, and community,” she said. “It’s a collaborative effort — keeping the best interests of our students at the center [of everything we do]. It’s all oars in the water together, rowing in the same direction for the good of our students. We are always a work in progress, and we’ll keep doing the work.”
Roberts also said it’s “nice to have the summer to thoughtfully plan for the coming school year.”
Updated elementary enrollment data
In other business at the meeting, Roberts reported that as previously shared at the June 16 School Committee meeting, HPS elementary principals continue to closely monitor new student registrations and the related impact on projected enrollment and class sizes for the 2025-2026 school year.
As of Friday, July 18, the district had a net gain of 7 elementary students since the June 16 update, according to Roberts.
“Of particular note are additional kindergarten student enrollments at Foster and East, resulting in projected class sizes of 23.3 and 23.7 respectively, which exceeds policy limits,” she explained.
Also of note is that Grade 2 enrollment at Plymouth River School has declined by 4 students since June 16, bringing average class sizes to 15.
In order to maintain kindergarten class sizes that meet the criteria of the school committee class size policy, the leadership team is proposing a reduction of one Grade 2 section at Plymouth River, “which would result in one PRS staff member transferring to East or Foster,” Roberts explained.
These changes are in addition to the proposals previously discussed on June 16.
“Please note that at this time, our discussions center around the number of sections, not specific teaching assignments,” Roberts said. “The reassignment of staff will be discussed collaboratively with educators and will take into consideration appropriate licensure, students’ academic and SEL (social and emotional learning) needs, prior teaching experience at a given grade level, and other factors.”
The creation of one additional kindergarten section at East or Foster can be addressed in a “budget-neutral manner,” Roberts told the School Committee.
The committee approved withdrawing an as yet undetermined amount of money from the kindergarten revolving fund (which is generated from tuition revenue and can only be used for kindergarten-related expenses) to support the addition of a second kindergarten section at either Foster or East Elementary School.