During a brief meeting Thursday, the School Committee learned that former Elmwood School Principal Anne Carver was hired as a long-term substitute assistant principal at Marathon School.

The committee also approved changes to the program of studies at the high school.

During his superintendent’s report, Evan Bishop noted Carver would finish out the remainder of the school year as an administrator at Marathon.

The individual previously in that role, Eric Mitchell, recently was placed on administrative leave for an incident that occurred outside of school. It later came to light that he was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution last year in a criminal case after being accused of assaulting a man at a casino in 2024.

“Ms. Carver knows Hopkinton very well,” Bishop said, noting she had been a principal and assistant principal in the district for more than 10 years. “We appreciate her willingness to jump back in and support our students, staff and families.”

HHS program of studies discussed

Justin Pominville, interim principal at Hopkinton High School, presented highlights from the annual program of studies, which included the addition of three courses. They are Physics of Space (for Grades 11-12), Integrated Statistics and Quantitative Reasoning (Grade 12) and Technical Theater (Grades 9-12).

Pominville noted that all the courses are college preparatory (CP), and no extra funds are needed to run them. In addition, he said courses are based on teacher availability and student interest. If a class has low enrollment after the course selection process in late March, the course will not run in the master schedule for the following year, Pominville said.

Another change was making The Psychology of Well-Being course for Grades 10-11 an advanced placement (AP) rather than CP offering.

Courses removed were Mathematical Modeling, Sports Analysis, Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Set Design.

Outdoor classroom approved

Hopkinton Middle School Principal Ann Benbenek received approval for this year’s Outdoor Classroom travel to Freedom, New Hampshire, for two groups of sixth graders from Nov. 16-18 and Nov. 18-20. The cost is $435 per student.

She noted the district receives donations and help from the PTO and other organizations so that it can offer financial assistance to families in need. Payment plans can be set up as well.

Committee vice chair Susan Stephenson asked how many students did not participate in the program because of financial need. Benbenek responded that finances are not usually the number one reason students opt out of the experience.

She said some children are not ready for an overnight trip, or their families do not feel ready, and others do not like the outdoors or the food or other factors.

From a class of 360 students last year, 95 did not attend. In previous years, with about 320 students, approximately 50 choose not to participate, she said.

Benbenek added she works with about 15-20 families for whom the reason is financial hardship.

Project 351 ambassador named

Benbenek also noted that HMS eighth grader Abigail Neseim is this year’s Project 351 ambassador. She said, “Abby consistently demonstrates kindness, respect and maturity in her interactions with peers and adults.”

Benbenek said Neseim is a welcoming and empathetic person who exemplifies the middle school’s “Grow strong minds and kind hearts” motto.

The student’s year of service began on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Boston. Project 351 is a nonprofit that brings together students across the state for leadership development, personal growth and community service.

In April, Neseim will complete a service project — a clothing drive to benefit the charity Cradles to Crayons, Benbenek added.

Approval given for BPA conference

The committee gave its approval for student travel to Southbridge from March 6-8 for the Business Professionals of America (BPA) state conference.

Stephenson noted she would be a judge and had served in that capacity since she moved to the state. “It’s an incredible program,” she said, describing herself as “stunned,” by the caliber of student talent she has seen.

Last year, she had the opportunity to provide feedback and evaluations for virtual portfolios created by participants.

“It is a pretty cool thing,” she added.

Bishop said he had traveled to California years ago for the BPA national conference and was impressed by the students’ abilities with public speaking, presentations and more. “The vastness of it is incredible,” he said.

The superintendent said the district is lucky to have advisor Doug Scott and his team working with the students in BPA.