Hopkinton Superintendent of Schools Carol Cavanaugh announced that she will retire at the end of the school year.
In a letter to school families, Cavanaugh called the decision a “difficult one.”
“I began my tenure here in Hopkinton on June 1, 2016, as assistant superintendent and will culminate my work having served as your superintendent for more than seven years,” she wrote. “I have enjoyed every day here in Hopkinton — it is amazingly gratifying work! — and I am thankful for the opportunity to have marched alongside a team of talented, dedicated administrators and unparalleled faculty and staff.
“The decision to retire was not an easy one. The difficulty came, in part, because the work is never done. New literacy research emerges, enrollment increases drive the need for new schoolhouses, policies require revision, technologies alter the landscape of education, one budget season ends and another begins. The dynamics of the job prove challenging and rewarding. At every step, the town of Hopkinton has maintained unwavering support for its public schools, for which I am grateful, and I extend that gratitude to my partners in all municipal departments as well as to the many, many School Committee members with whom I’ve served. Hopkinton is among the highest-performing school districts in the commonwealth and is well poised for its new leader.
“I’m not sure what September 2025 will look like for me, as this will be the first time in well over 30 years that I will not experience the anticipation, excitement and joy of the first day of school. However, I do know that I will miss the administrators, faculty and staff as well as the scores of future Hillers who will continue to propel this district to excellence.”
Under Cavanaugh’s tenure, the town replaced Center School with Marathon School and is planning to replace Elmwood School with Charleswood School, which is to be built next to Marathon School. Additionally, a renovation and expansion of Hopkins School is underway to handle a surge in student population.
Cavanaugh added that she expects the remaining months of her tenure to “fly by” and that she “feels truly blessed to have served as the superintendent in the Hopkinton Public Schools for so many years.”
Good bye and good riddance.
Glad to see her go. Certainly not happy with the decisions that resulted in the town residents taking on crushing levels of debt. Also setting into motion the reconfiguration of the grade spans, which I am sure will be a complete mess. Not long ago, Hopkinton ranked as number one school district, ranked first as being the best place to teach, and as having the best teachers according to Niche.
This year, the District dropped to 5th best school district in MA, and dropped to 7th in best places to teach. The district also tumbled to 96th place from 30th place nationally. She’s getting out before it all falls apart- smart move.
These are ridiculous criticisms. Dropped to fifth? Are you serious? That is still a phenomenal ranking. I wouldn’t sell the house just yet.
“Plummeted” to 96th nationally??? There are over 30,000 high schools in the United States. It is still amazing that Hopkinton is still in the top 100, the 99th percentile. And in their latest rankings, Niche says Hopkinton teachers are still #1 in the state.
The sky isn’t falling.
Allow me to be the first one here to wish Ms. Cavanaugh a happy retirement. She’s earned it.
Thanks for your amazing tenure Dr. Cavanaugh. The kids and I will especially remember your wonderful guidance over the pandemic. Enjoy your retirement. Hopkinton was lucky to have you.