Hingham student services director outlines entry plan after first 90 days, flags rise in special-education enrollment

Chris Panarisi, the Hingham Public Schools executive director of student services, presented her 90-day entry plan to the Hingham School Committee on Oct. 6, detailing district data, staffing, and next steps to address rising special-education enrollment and gaps in student achievement.

Panarisi said her office’s vision is “to provide high quality, individualized, inclusive learning opportunities where all children with disabilities and their families experience belonging and a shared sense of responsibility in the development and education of their child so that they can reach their fullest potential in life.” She reviewed state and district indicators and described an initial set of actions for the next 30 to 90 days.

Why it matters: Panarisi told the committee that students identified with disabilities on IEPs rose from 13.6% in 2021 to about 18.6% in the 2024/2025 snapshot, a notable increase that the district must staff and budget for. Student achievement data show large gaps between students with and without disabilities (for example, an elementary–middle ELA meeting/exceeding gap the presentation listed as roughly 85% versus 35%), and the high school band earned fewer accountability “points” for students with disabilities than K–8 (district…