Hingham School Committee Recognizes Food Services Workers as New Bargaining Unit

HINGHAM — August 18, 2025 — Hingham School Committee unanimously recognizes food service workers as a new bargaining unit and approves a la carte price increases. The committee voted 7-0 at its August 18 meeting to formally absorb the Hingham Food Services Association as Bargaining Unit E of the Hingham Education Association, with salary negotiations on a successor contract already underway as reported by member Carrie Knee. The board also approved price increases for a la carte menu items, with Executive Director of Business and Support Services Aisha Soney citing the loss of a prior subsidy grant as the driver; the universal free first-meal program for all students remains unchanged. Director of Facilities Matthew Mian reported the high school is at 100 percent readiness for the fall, the new Foster Elementary School is on track for its September 15 ribbon cutting, and the district's three Statements of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for roof and mechanical system replacements are now in the MSBA verification stage, with pipeline decisions expected around mid-October. The district also confirmed federal entitlement grants totaling $133,785 across Title I, II, and IV programs, plus a $21,536 Perkins vocational education award.