In break with tradition, school committee votes to admit non-resident students through choice program
/By Carol Britton Meyer
The school committee addressed a full agenda this week during its two-hour meeting Tuesday night, including the traditional reorganization of the board following the town election, a discussion of the school superintendent’s annual evaluation, and a vote in favor of school choice for the coming year.
The committee voted unanimously for Kyle Conley to remain chair, Liliana Hedrick to remain in the vice chair seat, and Courtney Littlefield to continue as secretary.
The committee voted 3-2 to participate in the school choice program for the 2026-27 school year only, following a lengthy discussion about the pros and cons and in contrast to Superintendent Michael Jette’s recommendation against on this option “because HPS is not necessarily prepared to take on students from other districts.”
The school choice program allows families to enroll their children in schools in communities other than the city or town in which they live. Numerous discussions in the past have resulted in a “no” vote for school choice by the committee for a number of reasons.
School committees are required to make the decision every year whether to opt out of the school choice option by June 1. The decision applies each year to the coming school year, but once a student is enrolled in the program, he or she remains a student through high school unless deciding not to remain in the Hull schools.
A school system doesn’t know the particulars about any participating student – including discipline issues or whether they are in need of special education services, the cost of which is borne by the accepting town. A community offering school choice receives a state-determined amount of $5,000 for each student from the sending district. However, Hull’s per pupil expenditure “far exceeds that amount,’’ Jette said.
The general consensus among board members was that there were no objections to participating in school choice, but to direct administrators to provide further details at their June 15 meeting, including financial impacts, how many students to include in the program and for what grades, and that this is not considered to be a direct effort to increase Hull’s enrollment.
“This could bring some new and diverse ideas into our schools,” Conley said. When Hull’s school choice news is publicized, it will contain a note “to contact the district for details.”
Board members Aleeza Hagerty, Conley, and Brendan Kilroe voted in favor, and Littlefield and Hedrick against. Those opposed to the motion said the vote was not because they aren’t supportive of the school choice program but because they are seeking further information.
Conley also noted that Hull “is not an easy community to break through in the school setting if a student isn’t prepared for that challenge,” with the committee agreeing that the creation of a welcoming committee would help resolve that issue. It was also noted that a warm welcome should be extended to any new student, not just those enrolled in the school choice program.
The board then discussed Jette’s annual evaluation, including a progress report on his goals.
Maggie Ollerhead, executive secretary to the superintendent/office manager, will compile an updated document from the meeting – including each committee member’s scores on different categories that will be shared with her before the June 15 committee meeting – at which time the final document including the scores will be presented in open session and then voted upon.
The goals were discussed at this week’s meeting, with comments by Jette and school committee members, relating to collaboration among Hull Public Schools stakeholders regarding the development of an aligned curriculum – which Jette said is progressing but will take multiple years to complete. There will be an ongoing commitment to revising the curriculum as needed, with a focus on the math component during the next school year, he said.
Other goals relate to attracting and retaining highly skilled and effective personnel; professional development; Jette’s continued participation in the three-year new superintendent program – which he called a good networking opportunity; the HPS five-year strategic plan that’s currently in process; and for Jette to be as visible and accessible around town as possible.
“That has been a clear goal of yours, and I think you have been very accessible,” Conley said. Jette said he is open to feedback from citizens about whether they perceive him as having enough of a presence in the community and at sports and other school events.
“For the past two years, you have provided steady, meaningful progress and stability, which this district needed,” Littlefield remarked to Jette. “We’re all looking forward to the strategic and long-term plans. Enrollment is important and should be a serious focus point next year.”
In other business
• During the report by the Hull Teachers Association representative, union Co-President Mark MacDonald asked for an update following passage of “cell phone ban bill” legislation, with Jette explaining that school officials are awaiting further information and will discuss it at a later date.
MacDonald emphasized the importance of “clear communication” about any policy Hull Public Schools might come up with, and that overall, teachers support this legislation and are seeking similar support from school administrators.
MacDonald also announced that Co-President Heather Weber is taking a step back from HTA leadership and that he and Maura Jones will lead the HTA “as a duo” for at least the upcoming school year.
He also told the school committee that the HTA believes that there’s work to be done “to rebuild trust in our district” and supports working toward a more collaborative approach. MacDonald also questioned what he referred to as the current scenario of “dispute resolution through the almost exclusive grievance process – which is not acceptable.”
He also called for “a collective reset,” including “what our contract means in plain English” and asked administrators to include the teachers’ union in conversations about any new ideas or changes.
“Our contract requires that the HTA membership must be included in their development and implementation,” he said.
Conley reacted to MacDonald’s comments by referring to what she said has been “a trust-building year” and commended teachers and administrators for their work.
“I think a lot of things need to get tighter [with regard to] what our students and HTA representatives include in their reports in the future,” she said, noting that some guidelines will be “written up.”
• The committee observed a moment of silence this week for three former Hull Public Schools employees who passed on recently – Joseph Cole, a 37-year maintenance worker, Stephen Avakian, who served two terms on the school committee, and Edward Cooper, who spent 20 years as the school department’s IT specialist.
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