January 8, 2022 By Carol Britton Meyer
Thursday, Jan. 5, marked the beginning of a series of meetings centering around the proposed Fiscal 2024 school budget.
The total proposed budget has not yet been finalized, as different budget scenarios are under consideration.
During the first session, an overview was provided by Supt. of Schools Margaret Adams and Director of Finance and Operations Aisha Oppong, with future meetings planned for Jan. 12 (building principals), 18 (directors of student services and curriculum), and 26 (athletics, transportation, and facilities), all starting at 6 p.m. Check the town website calendar and agenda for more details regarding the in-person location and the Zoom alternative prior to each session.
A joint meeting of the School Committee, Select Board, and Advisory Committee to consider the Fiscal 2024 budget is scheduled for Feb. 7, and a School Committee public hearing is planned for Feb. 13, both at 7 p.m.
Adams and Oppong shared the leadership team’s budget priorities, which include sustaining current comprehensive programming; strengthening the multi-tiered system of social emotional and academic supports; professional development; and providing access to safe, modern, and well-maintained facilities with reliable access to high-quality technology “to create a learning environment supportive of students’ academic and social emotional development.”
Current budget drivers include an estimated $500,000 increase in out-of-district special education tuitions, increased contractual obligations and transportation and fuel costs, unfunded mandates set forth by the state, potentially beginning to reduce or fully eliminate full-day kindergarten tuition, and other considerations.
Different budget scenarios were presented, and it was explained that a level services budget would require an operational override; balanced budget or reduced services budgets would require reductions due to a deficit created through the use of one-time funds and increased costs; and that unmet needs are additional requests not reflected in either of the above budgets.
As background, the town and schools used one-time federal and state funds, as well as fund balance money in the town budget, to cover budget gaps for FY22 and FY23. An operational override is now on the table to maintain the same current level of services.
Each Hingham Public Schools department will present a base or balanced budget, which would require cuts, and an override budget. The final decision rests with Town Meeting and a subsequent ballot vote.
When asked by the Hingham Anchor to comment about the budget process and the potential override, School Committee Chair Michelle Ayer said the board recognizes this budget season is more challenging than usual, “particularly when combined with all the other challenges we have faced together the past few years. Unlike many towns, Hingham is not accustomed to operating budget overrides, so I hope people will take time to engage in the budget process and recognize what an override will do and what ramifications we face if it does not succeed.”
Simply put, Ayer said, “An override will allow us to provide the current level of services our students access. If the override is not successful, we will need to make cuts to the budget, including staffing.”
Ayer said it “pains” her to even say those words “because we have an incredible amount of respect and admiration for the highly-qualified staff and leadership who shoulder the responsibility of educating future generations with grace, compassion, and great care,” she said. “Every single member of our HPS staff serves an incredibly vital role in supporting children, and any staffing costs would have a significant impact on students.”
The Hingham community has benefited from the strong reputation of the HPS for generations, Ayer continued, “and our schools continue to hold such promise for the future — but only if we provide the appropriate level of funding that an override would support.”
More information will be provided as the meeting schedule progresses. The Jan. 5 budget presentation will be posted on the HPS website.