December 12, 2023 By Carol Britton Meyer
Hingham Education Association President Jacqueline Beaupre announced during a well-attended hybrid meeting of the School Committee Monday night that more than 400 members of the full HEA participated in a vote of “no confidence” in Supt. of Schools Margaret Adams’ leadership of Hingham Public Schools earlier that day. The vote passed with 96 percent voting in favor.
There were 190 Zoom participants at one point in addition to individuals in the audience.
“Staff did not take this step lightly; they did so only after discussion and reflection on such a solemn statement. Members of the HEA hope that this vote will encourage the School Committee and Superintendent to take the expertise and concerns of Hingham’s staff more seriously,” Beaupre said, reading from a prepared statement during the questions and comments part of the meeting.
The full statement of no confidence cites 26 specific reasons under the categories of understaffing, school safety, transparency, observations, and equity. (See related statements for full details.)
“While members of the HEA appreciate the collaborative work done to pass an override last year and understand how it could result in exemplary reviews of Superintendent Adams from the Hingham School Committee, they also hope that this vote of no confidence will still encourage reflection on the part of Dr. Adams and the Committee, as well as result in positive changes to reach our common goals of safety, equity, and excellence in our schools.”
Committed to making sure ‘the needs of staff and students are heard’
Beaupre also said the HEA is “saddened that this vote needed to happen, but resolved in its outcome, and committed to making sure the needs of staff and students are heard. Through a democratic process, members asked each other to reflect on current leadership and the results speak for themselves. We hope Superintendent Adams and the Hingham School Committee will recognize its significance and be open to change.”
Parent Susan O’Horo expressed concern that the teachers might strike and what the impact would be on students if that were to happen.
School Committee Chair Nes Correnti replied that “there was no discussion about a strike; this was a vote of no confidence.”
Correnti said she was “disheartened” by the no confidence vote. “I have full faith in your leadership,” she said to Adams. “Your recent evaluation by the entire committee has shown that you did some significant things last year that would have anyone else running for the hills. I appreciate you.”
Correnti went on to note that during her time in the superintendent role, Adams gained an understanding of some “past frustrations,” prepared and implemented a strategic plan for the HPS, and played a major role in gaining voter support for a new Foster School and a $7.9 million operating override last Spring.
Adams prefaced her superintendent’s report by saying that she was “deeply saddened” by the no confidence vote and at the same time “deeply committed to HPS teachers and families. I’ve worked hard during the last 1-1/2 years and deeply care for the students as if they were my own,” she said. “I will work as hard as I can to do the best for all [HPS] students.”