Hingham School Committee narrows $1.5M budget gap, approves secondary bus fee and raises high-school parking rates

Hingham — The Hingham School Committee on Monday reviewed revised FY26 budget proposals designed to comply with a 3.5% memorandum of understanding with the town and approved two fee changes aimed at reducing cuts to student-facing positions.

The committee voted to approve proposed secondary (grades 7–12) bus fees of $360 per student with a family cap of $625 and to increase Hingham High School parking permit fees (closed lot to $225; far lot to $125). Both measures passed on roll-call votes.

Committee leaders said the district is working within a fixed town allocation of $70,383,752 and trying to limit reductions to classroom and student-support staffing after earlier rounds of deep cuts to discretionary lines. Superintendent-level presenters described a roughly $1.5 million set of proposed efficiencies and reductions still needed after accounting for recent savings, retirements, and enrollment-driven staffing changes.

Why it matters

The district says about 81% of its operating budget is personnel costs and utility and contracted costs are rising; the 3.5% cap limits the amount available to absorb those increases. Fees provide a partial offset that the administration and school committee say could allow restoration of some positions that would otherwise be cut.

What the committee approved and what it left for further work

- Transportation (secondary): The committee approved a $360-per-student annual bus fee for grades 7–12, with a $625 family cap. The fee would not apply to students eligible for free or reduced-price…