On Thursday, the School Committee accepted a revised schedule for the Hopkins School project and agreed to investigate “additional scope” options at a future meeting.

The schedule change has the addition substantially completed by Dec. 19, 2025, instead of the expected contract date of Feb. 4, 2026.

Chris Eberly, project executive at Vertex, said the project “is significantly ahead of schedule, which is always a great place to be as an owner.”

The school project is expected to be completed and ready for students in August 2026.

The $52.4 million project has a committed-to-date total of $46.2 million, or 88%.

Eberly said Vertex has been meeting with contractor Commodore Builders to schedule more disruptive activities outside of school hours — such as in the evenings or on Saturdays during the “extra” six weeks gained.

Hopkins School Principal Matt Cotter said at first he was “not thrilled” with the idea of construction starting earlier. However, recognizing there will be disruption either way, Cotter said he is supportive of the idea, especially because some of the work moves to off hours.

“A silver lining,” Cotter said, is that fifth graders will be able to experience a new gym six weeks earlier.

The change means the duration of the temporary kitchen is extended, needed in December and January as well as the anticipated period of March to June.

In addition to the two extra months for the kitchen, Richie Schugre of Commodore and Eberly spoke about other work that could be done, including replacing all flooring and furniture (past its life) in the building, regrouting of floor tiles in existing bathrooms, replacing the existing water heater, previously approved Loop Road work, and replacement of existing toilet partitions.

Taking the opportunity to “loop in” that work now would negate future capital project requests, Eberly said.

The question will be whether to turn back money to the town (approximately $4 million) or spend some of it on these items. Eberly said he would return with costs at a future meeting.

The School Committee did not authorize any funds for these “added scope” expenditures but did accept the revised schedule.

Also regarding the Hopkins project, committee members looked at photos, including views of the retaining wall in place at the playground/basketball court, site concrete placement in progress at the playground, new grass at the main entrance, underlayment installation in progress for wood flooring in the gym, lockers on the second level and more.

Its budget update showed architect (Perkins Eastman) expenditures to date at 75% or $2.8 million, owner’s project manager (Vertex) at 57% or $1.1 million, and construction billing (less retainage of 5%) at 61% or $23.7 million.

Eberly also repeated the update he recently presented to the Elementary School Building Committee on the Charleswood School project.

The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 4, from 3-4 p.m. at the construction entrance gate to Marathon School.

He said the $158 million project was on schedule, with an anticipated opening date of Jan. 3, 2028.

Position, club stipends approved

The committee also approved a request to add one full-time equivalent (FTE) applied behavior analysis (ABA) paraprofessional at the Marathon School to meet individualized educational plan (IEP) compliance for a new registered student with intensive needs. The addition of the position prevents the need for out-of-district placement of the student.

The approximately $30,000 salary will be supported by an IDEA grant and then mitigated in fiscal year 2027 by expansion of circuit breaker reimbursement.

Because seven school clubs no longer are running, interim Hopkinton High School Principal Justin Pominville appeared before the board to ask for a reallocation of $4,851 in an existing stipend account to cover $2,780 to pay advisors for four new clubs: American Cancer Society, Poetry, SMART (Stress Management and Reduction Techniques) and Spanish Honor Society.

Each stipend is $556. Pominville noted administrators annually review which clubs no longer are active and base additions on student interest and involvement. They do not pay advisors until the clubs have been successfully operating for a few years, he said.

Pominville also asked for an assistant advisor for an existing club, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America/Future Health Professionals), which has 190 student members, with 40-70 attending each meeting.

The committee also established a new student activities sub-account for the National Honor Society and National Arts Honor Society to use for the collection of dues.

Budget hearing dates announced

Superintendent Evan Bishop noted the upcoming school budget presentations as follows: special education, technology and buildings and grounds on Nov. 20, building principals on Dec. 4, and a joint budget meeting with the Select Board on Dec. 18.

The school calendar will be voted on Dec. 4. Chair Kyla McSweeney said board members have continued to receive input from the public that is being taken into consideration.

The next regular School Committee meeting is on Nov. 6.