Hingham School Committee Receives $72.8 Million FY27 Budget Proposal

HINGHAM — January 26, 2026 — Hingham School Committee opens FY27 budget season with a $72.8 million spending plan and a $2 million special education ask from the town. Superintendent Katie Roberts presented the proposal at the committee's January 26 meeting, noting the budget is constrained by the town's 3.5 percent MOU cap and closes a $468,736 gap through staff efficiencies, growing revolving fund revenues, and electric bus savings. Chief Financial Officer Aisha Opong projected the district will request approximately $2 million from the town under the MOU's special education cost-sharing provision in FY27, including roughly $1,033,000 in out-of-district tuitions after circuit breaker and IDEA grants are applied. The administration proposed eliminating a communications specialist position for $75,000 in savings, drawing concern from committee member Carrie Nee, who called the move "pennywise pound foolish" given the district's strategic commitment to two-way communication. Roberts warned that 26.2 secondary positions have been eliminated over three years and that enrollment projections now show a net increase of 417 students over the next decade, with elementary levels growing first.