August 14, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer
There was what School Committee Chair Nes Correnti called “a wide audience” on Wednesday afternoon’s Zoom meeting to publicly accept, following an earlier announcement, the resignation of Supt. of Schools Margaret Adams, effective Sunday, Aug. 18. This is her second year serving in this role.
Then the committee turned to the subject of who will serve as acting superintendent, with a unanimous vote to name current Asst. Supt. of Curriculum and Instruction Kathryn (Katie) Roberts as acting superintendent.
“While it may be unsettling to have this change occur with the start of school only a few weeks away,” Chair Nes Correnti said, “we have an amazing staff, and Katie [will step into this new role] with the understanding that she will remain in the position [for the entire 2024-25 school].”
It will be “reassuring to the community to have her in that role for the full academic year,” School Committee member Tim Miller-Dempsey said.
All seven committee members had high praises for Roberts, noting that she has gained the respect of the staff as assistant superintendent, that Hingham Public Schools is fortunate to have her step into this position, and that she has an “energetic leadership style.”
Member Michelle Ayer praised Roberts’ “strong work” as assistant superintendent. “She knows the district better than most of us, having served as a staff member, teacher, department head, and assistant superintendent,” she said. “Katie is also a strong communicator and lives in the community.”
Roberts was signed into the Zoom meeting but did not make any comments, nor did any of the audience members.
The committee then entered into executive session to discuss the acting superintendent’s contract, and did not return to open session.
Adams will be available through Friday, Aug. 23, to help with the transition after Roberts steps into her new role next Monday, Aug. 19 — contingent on successful contract negotiations.
Since Roberts can’t serve as both acting superintendent and assistant superintendent at the same time, the School Committee will discuss at a later date who will step into the assistant superintendent role as well as the search process for a permanent superintendent of schools to replace Adams once the school year starts.
I substitute taught for nine years in Hingham schools Katie Roberts was so impressive as not just a wonderful teacher but just a wonderful person. I am so happy that she has been named as superintendent and wish her all the best