Pending successful contract negotiations, the School Committee on Thursday named Jessica Beattie as the district’s new director of student services.

Beattie, a Hopkinton resident, has been the director of student services at Holliston Public Schools since 2022.

Before that, she was an assistant principal and adjustment counselor at Holliston’s Robert Adams Middle School.

Beattie earned a sociology degree from Framingham State. While obtaining her master’s degree in social work from Boston College, she worked at a residential facility in Worcester. At a public forum with the final candidates, she said that experience helped to fuel her longstanding passion to help students.

She will replace Abigail Hanscom, who is retiring.

In making the recommendation for the appointment, Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh emphasized that she and incoming Superintendent Evan Bishop worked closely on the screening of candidates, interviews and, ultimately, the final recommendation.

The other two finalists were Helene Desjardins, assistant director of student support services in the Northborough-Southborough district and Courtney Rau Rogers, assistant principal for student services at Bigelow Middle School in Newton.

The field of 14 candidates was narrowed first to five and then three finalists, who participated in screening and panel interviews and then a public forum held earlier this week, the superintendent explained.

Carol Cavanaugh and committee members praised all the finalists, with the superintendent noting they all demonstrated “a lot of passion and expertise and commitment to children.”

Vice chair Jamie Wronka said Beattie gave very thoughtful answers to questions and is a “natural fit” for Hopkinton.

Custodians’ contract ratified

Also at the meeting, the committee voted to ratify the Hopkinton Custodians Union contract for 2025-28.

The superintendent said some highlights of the pact included a 5% increase over all three years, a clothing allowance of $550, and the flexibility of having eight-hour shifts occurring Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In a related matter, the board named Susan Stephenson as its representative on the negotiating committee with Hopkinton Teachers Association Unit C (nurses).

Carol Cavanaugh noted this is the last of the bargaining units for contract negotiations before the end of the school year.

Hopkins project expenses authorized

Following a presentation by Chris Eberly, project manager for Vertex, the committee agreed to allocate $380,000 for temporary food service associated with the Hopkins School project.

The board also approved $150,000 for design, engineering and permitting costs to repave the Loop Road at that site.

The district must accommodate food services when the existing cafeteria and gym at Hopkins close during the final construction phase, February 2026 to June 2026.

Eberly explained that a temporary kitchen trailer will be set up adjacent to the school building. Costs include utilities, a platform and ramp for access, water and electricity connections, equipment and more.

At the last meeting, Eberly and Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Susan Rothermich said it would not make sense and would be costly to transport bagged sandwich lunches to the school each day.

Rothermich noted the desired trailer unit is large enough to prepare and provide for breakfast and lunch options for students.

Repairs to the Loop Road would include a top coat and binder on a pulverized graded base, new asphalt curbs including sidewalks, and line striping. It would not include the parking lot.

The total cost for the Loop Road project is estimated at $1.4 million, but the committee only approved the preliminary costs through permitting at this time.

Series of scholarships approved

The School Committee also approved scholarships as follows: two drama scholarships of $500 each; the Mary Roche Award of $75 each for the students with the two highest grade point averages who attended Elmwood School; the Lou & Cathy White Memorial Scholarship of $500; and the Annette Joyce Floh Memorial Scholarship, also totaling $500.

The committee also authorized payment through the treasurer of $5,000 for the STEM Scholarship.

District opts out of school choice

Following a public hearing with no participation from residents, the School Committee voted not to offer school choice for the 2025-26 year. The reason for denial is growing enrollment and lack of space.