At Thursday's School Committee meeting, members met with representatives of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council to review where things stand following last year’s volatility. Last March, working with a mediator, the School Committee and SEPAC mapped out a...
Susan Gonsalves
Possible Grade 6 ‘leveling’ prompts School Committee discussion
Most of Thursday’s School Committee meeting involved analysis of Grade 6 math data and the possibility of “leveling” classes at that age as well as a review of Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh’s goals. The latter is part of the School Committee’s evaluation of her job...
Impact of plumbing code changes, MEPA designation among ESBC topics
State plumbing code changes and an Environmental Justice Community designation in a portion of Hopkinton have impacted the new Elmwood School project. Members of the Elementary School Building Committee on Tuesday discussed these topics along with possible theming...
At joint meeting, boards examine school budget
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG37w8V5Q64&list=PL8WekT6kxX1B3xlP6fIr3QmhJButK4GkU&index=2 The School Committee on Thursday presented its fiscal year 2025 budget of $63,244,790, an increase of $3,207,037 (5.35%) over last year during a joint public hearing...
Parks & Rec Commission approves policy for non-resident registrations
The Parks & Recreation Commission on Tuesday unanimously adopted a policy regarding registration for residents and non-residents. The Commission will review the policy in one year and then thereafter, likely every three years. Director Jon Lewitus said that he had...
Digitization, communication tops Board of Health agenda
During his mid-year review, Health Director Shaun McAuliffe reported work on his three goals — concerning strategic planning, record digitization and a communication plan for PFAS in private wells — are “in progress.” The update took place during Monday’s Board of...
Draft of education plan for reconfigured Hopkins School unveiled
The School Committee on Thursday viewed possible schedules for students in fifth and sixth grades at Hopkins School as part of a proposed education plan should an addition/renovation project receive Town Meeting approval in May. One of the district’s capital requests...
Selection Committee for Hopkins project construction manager outlines strategy
On Wednesday, the Hopkins Lower Middle School Project Construction Manager Selection Committee met to review the request for proposals document for a construction manager to work on an addition and renovations to the Hopkins School. Town Meeting will be asked to vote...
School Committee continues review of $63.1M budget proposal
The proposed fiscal year 2025 budget totaling $63,144,790, a 5.35% increase, again took center stage at the School Committee meeting on Thursday. Last week, Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh and Assistant Superintendent of Finance Susan Rothermich gave an overview of the...
CPC inquires about property data, reviews ongoing projects
The Community Preservation Committee agreed to send letters to Town Manager Norman Khumalo before his departure in January asking for information about grant budget expenditures, his transition plans concerning who would negotiate land deals, and updates of ongoing...
School Committee adds Nickerson, works on budget plan
Lori Nickerson was appointed to serve on the School Committee until next May’s Annual Town Election following a joint vote of the School Committee and Select Board on Thursday. The seat became vacant when Holly Morand resigned to take a job with Hopkinton Youth &...
School Committee talks Hopkins addition project, building budgets
The School Committee heard presentations on the Hopkins addition project and proposed budgets for various schools, the central office and the Building & Grounds Department at Thursday’s three-hour meeting. Dan Colli, project manager at architect Perkins Eastman,...
Sandy Beach Subcommittee outlines safety, other concerns
During its meeting Wednesday, the Parks & Recreation Sandy Beach Subcommittee discussed needs at Lake Maspenock and filled in new Parks & Rec Director Jon Lewitus about ongoing issues such as lack of oversight at the gate, equipment needing repairs, signage...
ESBC talks timeline for new school, potential permitting issue
Jon Graziano, chair of the Elementary School Building Committee, credited “extensive analysis, constant communication, different methods of public engagement and the ability to answer questions” as factors leading to a successful property tax override vote regarding...
School Committee reacts to vote, continues budget talks
Reflecting on a positive Town Meeting vote to approve a proposed new Elmwood School, School Committee chair Nancy Cavanaugh described herself as “very thrilled” by the results. But she reminded residents that a majority vote will be needed at the Nov. 28 election to...
Last forum on proposed new school focuses on costs, enrollment issues
During a nearly two-hour public forum, members of the Elementary School Building Committee fielded questions from Zoom and in-person participants regarding the proposed Elmwood School replacement. Like last week’s session, the first half of the meeting was comprised...
School Committee hears more department budget requests, talks Hopkins addition
Budget presentations before the School Committee continued Thursday, with student services and technology taking center stage. Director of Student Services Abigail Hanscom spoke about the fiscal year 2025 preliminary budget for that department, noting the $15,319,189...
Jump in MSBA reimbursement lowers cost to taxpayers for proposed new school
Hopkinton voters will decide whether to approve the Elmwood Elementary School replacement project at a Special Town Meeting on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium, followed by a town election on Nov. 28. Last week, the financial picture...
Costs, traffic among residents’ concerns about proposed Elmwood School replacement
Traffic and the cost of a proposed new Elmwood School were among the concerns of residents attending Tuesday’s public forum with the Elementary School Building Committee. Special Town Meeting voters on Nov. 13 will be deciding whether to go ahead with construction of...
MCAS scores show Hopkinton students meet or exceed targets
Most students in the Hopkinton school district met or exceeded targets on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests, and most grade levels bounced back to pre-pandemic scores higher than the state’s averages. The state, therefore, said the schools...