Hanover's Student-Teacher Ratio Among State's Worst, Officials Say

HANOVER — Hanover’s student-teacher ratio ranks among the bottom 15% of school districts in Massachusetts, a statistic that raised concerns among school committee members during a Feb. 26 meeting. Officials said that budget constraints and staff reductions have contributed to rising class sizes and fewer educational resources for students.

Staffing Ratios Drop Below State Average

School Committee Member Jackie Jorgensen pointed to newly released state data, highlighting that Hanover’s staffing ratios have continued to decline, putting the district well below many of its South Shore neighbors.

“I was looking at that and reviewing our staffing ratios. And again, our staffing ratios dropped,” said Jorgensen. “We're now in the bottom 15% of the state for staffing ratios.”

She added that the numbers do not yet reflect staffing reductions from fiscal year 2025, meaning the district’s ranking could worsen once updated data is released.

Budget Constraints Limit Hiring

Officials noted that Hanover’s staffing shortages are not just about hiring new teachers, but also about the district’s ability to offer competitive salaries and support services.

“It’s embarrassing that we can't afford to hire teachers and deliver that instruction when teachers are the method that schools deliver instruction by,” said Jorgensen.

The challenge, officials said, is that budget limitations prevent Hanover from matching the staffing levels of similar districts, which could impact long-term student outcomes.

Larger Class Sizes and Fewer Resources

The discussion on student-teacher ratios was closely tied to the upcoming override vote, which could provide additional funding for staff restorations. Without that funding, officials said class sizes will remain larger than desired, and some academic programs may not return.

“We don't have as many electives to explore,” said School Committee Member Libby Corbo. “Do we shift how we have a schedule so that we're more efficient with the time that we have?”

Officials also pointed out that larger class sizes make it more difficult for teachers to provide individualized attention, particularly in core subjects like math, reading, and science.

Next Steps

With budget discussions ongoing, school officials said they plan to review staffing needs further and look at potential adjustments to scheduling and resource allocation. However, they noted that the district’s ability to improve student-teacher ratios will likely depend on the May override vote, which would provide additional funds for hiring and program restoration.

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