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By Carol Britton Meyer
An exploratory committee was recently created -- in alignment with the School Committee's mission and the goals outlined in the Hingham Public Schools strategic plan --to consider the possibility of offering a Spanish elementary structured immersion program for K-5 students. This is part of Supt. of Schools Margaret Adams' efforts, with the committee's support, to actively pursue more opportunities to prepare students for active participation in the global community. "I'm excited about Dr. Adams' plan to create a committee to explore this possibility," School Committee Chair Nes Correnti said. "The positive response to this year's pre-K Spanish pilot program has already been evident. I appreciate her innovative thinking in finding ways to encourage families to remain within our public schools and to possibly attract new families to our district." According to HPS World Language Department Director Erica Pollard, research into immersion programs consistently shows that participating students develop higher levels of proficiency in the second language, gain an improved ability to focus, and can easily switch between tasks, in addition to other benefits. Such programs are also known to promote cross-cultural understanding and tolerance. The School Committee will hear an update on findings from the exploratory committee this winter. "If the recommendation at that time is to move forward with a K-5 immersion program, the School Committee would vote on the proposal at that time," Correnti said. By Carol Meyer
A program update for the new school year was recently outlined by Interim Executive Director of Student Services Dr. Barbara Cataldo. The director's role is to ensure that Hingham Public Schools' implementation of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks is accessible to all students. To help achieve this goal, HPS has developed a comprehensive District Curriculum Accommodation Plan that is used uniformly across all grades and curriculum areas. In describing the Student Services Entry Plan for 2023-2024, Cataldo explained that in the past couple of months, she has had an opportunity to work directly with school administration -- both Central Office and school-based -- which she said provided her "with an excellent understanding of the Hingham Public Schools." In addition, several teachers visited with Cataldo, sharing areas of success and concerns about students and offering suggestions for ways to improve the program. "I have also worked closely with the senior leadership team to understand the mission and vision and how the activities and curriculum match these essential areas for the Hingham Public Schools," she said. The Special Education Parent Advisory Council co-chairs shared their thoughts, "providing an important parent perspective." Cataldo also plans to work with the Special Education Sub-committee. The interim director identified "areas of need" that will receive attention during the new school year. "They do not encompass every aspect of Student Services, but they are most certainly part of the heart of our work in Hingham," she states in the entry plan. By Carol Britton Meyer
Voters will undertake the important task of approving a name for the new elementary school at the former Foster School site on Downer Avenue during next Spring's Annual Town Meeting. "The construction of the new school is progressing smoothly and is on track for completion by the beginning of the next school year," School Committee Chair Nes Correnti said. Supt. of Schools Margaret Adams and Director of Business and Support Services Aisha Oppong recently outlined a process for the district to follow in gathering name suggestions from the community, which met with unanimous School Committee approval. Their outline is based on the School Committee's "Naming New Facilities" policy. The suggestions will be presented this fall to the School Committee, which will vote to select a proposed name in January. Suggestions are due by Oct. 31. The name they choose will be submitted to the Select Board and Advisory Committee for their consideration and will be included in the Annual Town Meeting warrant article. "We are so excited for the Foster community and our town as we get closer to the completion of this long-awaited project," Correnti said. A form to collect suggested names from the community is being shared through various forms of communication. Feedback will be solicited from the PTO and school council. The data collected will be synthesized by the superintendent and presented to the School Committee for discussion on Nov. 27, followed by a second round of feedback. A final School Committee vote on a warrant article on the proposed name is expected Jan. 22. Town Meeting voters have the final say.  By Carol Meyer
Supt. of Schools Margaret Adams is focusing on four goals for the 2023- 2024 school year. The School Committee recently supported these goals following a presentation by Adams. The first goal focuses on ensuring the district's continuous improvement; human resources management and development; and providing leadership for implementing comprehensive plans that identify the district's most critical needs. Other related areas include outlining processes for continuous improvement that will address those needs most effectively and determining the measures that will be used to assess progress. Goal two relates to strengthening the Hingham Public Schools' multi-faceted procedures for hiring, recruitment, and retention, including strengthening its partnership with the Massachusetts Diversity in Education Network. Developing a comprehensive program evaluation of student services is the third goal. The school district will participate in an evaluation of current Student Services programming that will outline short and long-term goals for identified areas of improvement in order to ensure equitable and inclusive learning environments for students with special needs. Goal four relates to Adams' planned engagement in the second year of the New Superintendent Induction Program, which empowers new superintendents to accelerate student learning through strategic leadership. This will help ensure the district's "continued focus on improvement."  By Carol Britton Meyer
Following the recent implementation of a 25 mph speed limit in a large portion of downtown Hingham to enhance safety, Town Engineer JR Frey recommended the same restriction apply in more than a dozen neighborhoods around town. Signs with the new speed limit will be posted in the affected areas. The initial change came about as the result of a 2022 Town Meeting-approved warrant article associated with concerns about downtown traffic safety expressed by residents and businesses over a long period of time. "This is the first cut. We tried to be thorough, but there are only so many hours in a day," Frey said recently. Following a lengthy presentation and discussion, the Select Board approved the additional speed limit changes in the Bradley Woods, Liberty Pole, Planters Field Lane/Wompatuck Road, Crow Point, and Bradley Hill Road neighborhoods as well as from Green Street to Burditt Avenue, the World's End and Canterbury Street area, upper Gardner Street from the Rockland line to Whiting and Derby streets at the five-way intersection, the southern end of downtown Hingham, and parts of Hingham Centre, among others. Many of the speed limit changes are in response to concerns expressed by neighbors, with more to come. Further measures are also under consideration to make the downtown area safer. Frey also said the intersection of Middle and Main streets is being studied to address serious safety and traffic concerns in that area, while Select Board member Bill Ramsey noted that the High/Free/Ward Street intersection is also extremely dangerous. By Carol Britton Meyer
Work on the new public safety facility at 335 Lincoln St. is progressing. During a recent update, Project Manager Matthew Hennessy -- who is at the site daily --shared a slide show with the Select Board of how the preliminary work is moving forward. The project start date was May 15, with the substantial completion date set at Jan 14, 2025, and the final completion date scheduled for March 26, 2025. The construction process so far includes installation of fencing, temporary utilities, and work trailers, erosion control, removal of soil to the Hingham DPW soil storage facility and removal of the former wood building, concrete slab, and foundation walls, and tree protection. This was the first project update since the $39.5 million contract was awarded, according to Public Safety Facility Building Committee Chair Bob Garrity. Hingham Police and Fire Department operations will be combined in the building. According to Garrity, the project is "right on schedule -- so far so good." Voters at the Nov. 2022 Special Town Meeting approved an appropriation of up to $46.7 million to build and furnish a new public safety facility, with an expected lifespan of 50 to 70 years. Prior Town Meetings authorized funding totaling $8.6 million for the initial phases of the project, including a site feasibility study, land acquisition, and preliminary design and pre-construction bid documents. "A lot has happened since May," Select Board Chair Liz Klein said. "It's exciting."  Click here for Harbor Media's Video on Demand! By Carol Britton Meyer
Hingham and other "MBTA communities" have until Dec. 2024 to finalize the adoption of required zoning amendments to bring them into compliance with new legislation enacted as part of the Jan. 2021 economic development bill signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker as a way to address the state's growing housing crisis. Under the guidelines for this multi-family zoning requirement for communities that have commuter rail, ferry, bus, or subway services, the Town of Hingham is expected to potentially accommodate up to 1,490 units of this type of housing within at least one zoning district of "reasonable size" in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right. This housing cannot be age-restricted and must be suitable for families with children. While Hingham and other affected communities won't be required to actually build that many units, they must have the potential to do so or risk losing certain significant state grants. There's an ability to include some affordable units, but that is not mandated. Community Planning Director Emily Wentworth outlined various potential multi-family zoning district locations to the Select Board and Planning Board recently. Public meetings will be held leading up to the deadline, and Town Meeting will take action on a related proposed warrant article. By Carol Meyer
The Hingham Climate Action Planning Committee recently presented an overview of its 145-page Climate Action Plan -- the culmination of three years of hard work. "This is an exciting moment for us," Chair Brad Moyer told the Select Board. "Hingham is a leader in this area on the South Shore. Five years ago, I wouldn't have anticipated that." He explained the mission of the CAPC and its successor created by Town Meeting -- the Climate Action Commission. The CAPC's charge was to evaluate a wide range of carbon emission reduction strategies and to propose measures to achieve “net zero” carbon emissions by the year 2040 or another feasible target date. The Climate Action Commission's role is to support, oversee, and report on the progress of the implementation of the town's Climate Action Plan. Moyer also explained that the plan doesn't obligate anyone to anything, mandate budget expenditures, or supplant normal town and approval processes. "It's a call to action, making recommendations and asking residents, businesses and non-profits, and town government to consider actions to reduce carbon emissions," he said. "The plan is "deep, but accessible -- it's digestible." Select Board Chair Liz Klein said she's confident the plan will be implemented and that "it will not sit on a shelf."  Click here for Harbor Media's Video on Demand! By Carol Britton Meyer
The number of Hingham property owners who are taking advantage of the town's property tax relief-focused Senior Means Tested Exemption Program is on the rise. "It's now in its third year," Assistant Town Administrator for Finance Michelle Monsegur said recently. There was a 300 percent increase in applications from FY22 to FY23 and a 330 percent increase in applications approved, with a 298 percent increase in total exemptions awarded. This is due in large part to the town's significant past and continuing outreach efforts. Longtime Hingham residents and property owners who are 65 and older and who qualified for the Massachusetts State Income Tax Refundable Credit known as the Circuit Breaker in Calendar Year 2022 -- and who meet certain income and asset requirements -- may qualify for the program. Voters at this year's town meeting made this exemption, with a maximum Fiscal Year 2024 benefit of $1,200 as set by the state -- permanent. Applications are due to the Assessor's Office by Sept. 1, 2023. If eligible, the credit will be applied to Dec. 2023 property tax bills. The Board of Assessors is hoping that those who have benefitted from the program so far and others who are aware of it will spread the word to other residents who may qualify. For further information, call the Assessor's Office at (781) 741-1455. "The staff there can walk citizens through the different [tax relief] programs that are available," Monsegur said. By Carol Meyer
Supt. of Schools Margaret Adams was rated "proficient" overall during a recent one-year evaluation by the School Committee. Chair Nes Correnti said that based on Committee members' feedback, "It's evident that Dr. Adams is regarded as an intelligent, thoughtful, and effective leader who prioritizes the needs of students. She has displayed several attributes of a successful leader --including being a diligent worker, demonstrating commitment to the staff and community, and introducing improved processes and communication within the Hingham Public Schools system." Among Adams' notable achievements are her ability to assemble a strong Central Office team "that has provided stable leadership during challenging times" and her emphasis on the importance of innovation and data-driven approaches to education, which Correnti said benefit both students and staff. Adams has also actively sought feedback from the community, educators, and students through surveys, focus groups, and presentations to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the district's needs. It was also noted that Adams' entry process into her role as superintendent was commendable considering the challenges the district was facing -- successfully navigating through a special town meeting for a building project, working with a new leadership team, and addressing substantial budget needs that resulted in a tax override. "These achievements demonstrate her exemplary leadership skills," Correnti said. In response, Adams said she has been successful due to the success of others: "I'm grateful for their hard work. We've made great strides." |
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