Students, Faculty Backing Hingham Principal's Request to Rescind Retirement

HINGHAM, MA — School officials are defending a decision to not let Hingham High School Principal Paula Girouard McCann rescind her retirement, despite support from teachers and teachers

Objections to the retirement were on display at the Jan. 30 school committee meeting a student in support of Girouard McCann and has continued with a letter to the Hingham Journal signed by 100 Hingham High faculty and staff members.

Matthew Rice, a senior at Hingham High School, read a letter in support of Girouard McCann at the Jan. 30 meeting, despite requests from the school committee to not address the issue at the meeting, citing privacy concerns.

“Dr. Girouard McCann is unfairly being forced out of her position by a school committee that fails to appreciate the changes she has made,” Rice said. “Our school and community is a more inclusive and intelligent place thanks to Dr. Girouard McCann’s leadership at the school.

School committee Chairwoman Liza O’Reilly revealed at the Feb. 13 meeting that last year, Girouard McCann requested a one-year rollover for her contract that was granted. She also informed the school committee that she planned on retiring at the end of the school year, with the committee moving forward with transition planning. Superintendent Dorothy Galo said the one-year contract signed by Girouard McCann has a provision that it can't be withdrawn and efforts to find the next Hingham High School principal are underway.

Girouard McCann, who came to Hingham in 2000, told the Boston Globe that she asked to rescind her retirement letter in the fall, following the death of her husband. The request was denied, with no reason given, she said.

Image via @pgmccann