Hingham School Committee Approves Staff Layoffs, Extends Interim High School Principal

HINGHAM — April 7, 2025 — Hingham School Committee votes to eliminate more than a dozen positions across the district for the 2025-2026 school year. The committee voted unanimously Monday to approve a reduction in force spanning four elementary interventionists, two general education teachers, a middle school reading interventionist, a high school administrative assistant, a secondary special education administrator, and portions of other roles including a communications specialist — with administrators noting a cable grant may partially restore that last position. The board also ratified a $4-per-hour pay differential for bus drivers on the METCO route, to be funded by METCO grant money, after the Hingham Bus and Van Drivers Association ratified the side letter. Superintendent Katie Donahue introduced Dr. Christine Peneresi as the district's new permanent executive director of student services, effective July 1, replacing a two-year interim. The committee voted to extend interim high school principal Dr. John Bucky for a second year while a community-wide permanent search launches in November 2025.