 Click here to watch Hingham's Weekly Update By Carol Britton Meyer
The 53-page Hingham Public Schools Equity & Inclusion Plan is being rolled out during the new school year, Asst. Supt. Jamie LaBillois told the School Committee recently. The idea is to start implementation in 2021-2022, with a focus on "developing a sense of belonging among all members of the school community." The plan is built upon a "restorative practices" foundation that is already underway, based upon building healthy relationships between educators and students; reducing, preventing, and improving harmful behavior; repairing harm and restoring positive relationships; resolving conflict; holding individuals and groups accountable; and addressing and discussing the needs of the entire school community. "We want to use that sense of community to take a different approach," LaBillois said. "We're all members of the same community, and if someone's behavior has wronged someone else, it's incumbent on that person to right that wrong." Updates will be available during the school year.  By Carol Britton Meyer
After reviewing about 20 applications and participating in six preliminary interviews with applicants for the open Hingham Public Schools superintendent of schools position to replace Paul Austin, the search committee recently narrowed the pool of candidates down to four finalists for further consideration by the School Committee. They are Dr. Margaret Adams, current Assistant Superintendent of the Melrose Public Schools; Dr. Scott Carpenter, current Superintendent of the Monomoy Regional School District; Dr. Jennifer Curtis, current Executive Director of South Shore Stars and former Superintendent of Weymouth Public Schools; and Dr. Andrea Schwamb, current Assistant Superintendent of the Wareham Public Schools. The "Superintendent Search" link on the HPS website contains their resumes, successful candidate and Hingham superintendent profiles, screening committee details, and the timeline for selecting an individual to replace Austin. The School Committee, with assistance from the New England School Development Council throughout the search process, will make the final decision. Next steps include interviewing the four candidates, who will be invited to meet with students, parents, faculty, staff, members of the community, and others interested in the process. The School Committee is expected to make the selection this month or sometime in January. By Carol Britton Meyer
The proposal to renovate/build a new Foster School is moving through the Massachusetts School Building Authority process, with the hopes that the MSBA will fund a significant portion of either option. School Building Committee Chair Ray Estes told the School Committee recently that "the feasibility work is underway to determine what can be done [with the property]." The presence of wetlands and traffic are two considerations. Eight potential design configurations were looked at by building committee with consideration of the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges posed by each. These will be narrowed down to four potential site layouts by the end of December, and then a preferred design will be selected to move into the schematic design phase in January. Contingent on MSBA approval of the proposal, a warrant article will be drafted for the Spring 2022 Town Meeting -- or a fall 2022 Special Town Meeting -- asking voter approval of construction funding, a figure that will be announced at a later date. If all goes as planned, construction could begin in the Spring of 2023, followed by the opening of the new building in 2024. Estes emphasized that opportunities such as this one "don't come along often." |
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March 2024
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