Hull School Committee Backs South Shore Collaborative Fund, Debates Graduation Exam Requirement

HULL — December 1, 2025 — Hull School Committee unanimously backs South Shore Educational Collaborative capital reserve account while debating whether to strip a final exam requirement from its graduation policy. The committee voted 5-0 Monday night to support the collaborative's request to establish a stabilization fund, joining at least three other member communities in approving the measure; executive director of the collaborative had told the board the fund would be built from surplus tuition revenue rather than new assessments on member districts. The hottest debate of the night centered on Policy IKF, the district's graduation requirements policy, which must be adopted before December 31 under state guidance following last year's MCAS vote. Several members objected to a provision requiring students to pass final course assessments as a secondary competency check, with one member saying the requirement was "not in good conscience" applicable to seniors who had no prior notice. The committee directed Superintendent Dr. Michael Jette to consult with Principal Dr. Kyle Shaw on whether removing the exam language for the class of 2026 is legally and practically feasible, and said it is prepared to waive the standard second-reading requirement and vote on a revised policy at the December 15 meeting. Budget subcommittee chair Courtney Burke reported year-to-date spending is in line with the district's $18.39 million budget, with a full FY27 budget presentation tentatively scheduled for January 12.