School Committee Proposes FY26 Budget with New Fees and Cuts

The Hingham School Committee has unveiled its fiscal year 2026 (FY26) budget proposal, adhering to a 3.5% growth cap established by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the town.

Superintendent Katie Roberts acknowledged the challenges posed by these financial constraints.

To align with the budget limitations, the district will introduce a $250 transportation fee for students in grades 7 through 12, capped at $500 per family. Additionally, athletic fees will increase, with a new charge for students participating in a second sport and a higher family cap for multiple student-athletes.

Director for Business and Support Services Aisha Oppong highlighted that 81% of the budget is dedicated to contractual salaries and 15% to fixed costs like utilities, leaving only 4% as discretionary spending.

The budget aims to enhance the district's multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) and address increasing demands in special education and student services.

Dr. Barbara Cataldo, Director for Student Services, highlighted the growing number of students requiring special education services.

"We've seen an increase from 604 students in 2020 to 686 in 2024," Cataldo said.

The committee discussed several capital projects, including roof replacements at Hingham High School, Plymouth River Elementary School, and South Elementary School. The high school roof project is estimated at $14.6 million.

Additional proposals include equipping three school buses with cameras to deter illegal passing, leasing three electric school buses pending federal grant approval, seeking Town Meeting authorization for longer-term bus leases, and submitting statements of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for roof repair projects.

The school committee will continue refining the budget proposal in upcoming meetings, encouraging public input throughout the process.