Hingham High School presented its two‑year school improvement plan to the School Committee on Nov. 24, centering on three goals: promoting student mental health and well‑being, improving attendance and reducing chronic absenteeism, and refining technology and AI practices in classrooms.

Dr. Buckey said the mental‑health goal includes expanded 'swell' programming integrated into freshman advisory, book partnerships addressing teen anxiety and reduced screen time messaging through the Monday message and Friday show, and a focus on community service. On attendance, the school implemented a new tardy process: students arriving after the bell take a purple pass from a lobby table so teachers uniformly mark tardies. Dr. Buckey said the state’s chronic absenteeism threshold is 10% (equal to 18 days for a 180‑day school year) and that the district revised its handbook this year to match that standard after previously using 20 days.

Dr. Buckey presented attendance data showing daily tardy averages (September ~38 per day) with daily ranges from 8 to 62 and a three‑year chronic absenteeism trend cited at roughly 8.2% falling to near 7.1% in recent years; year‑to‑date figures were reported in the 7.1–7.8% range. He said a weekly student support team (including the school resource officer, counselors, nurse, METCO director and assistant principals) reviews attendance patterns and connects students to supports.

On technology and artificial intelligence, staff developed AI guides for students and teachers (with input from a student panel) and delivered professional development in November focused on ethical use — when and how to use AI tools. The committee asked whether the AI guides were available to parents; the presenter confirmed they are available online. School members also discussed cell‑phone 'caddies' introduced as an expectation this fall to limit classroom screen time; Dr. Buckey said enforcement varies by teacher but reported no overtly negative feedback and noted that consistent enforcement remains a challenge.

Committee members praised the focus on interconnected goals and asked staff to continue coordination with middle school efforts and to provide implementation data as the initiatives proceed. No formal vote on the plan was required; the committee received the presentation and moved on to related agenda actions.