Work on the Hopkins School addition/renovation is on schedule, and the new Charleswood School’s cost is running $1.2 million under budget. On Thursday, Susan Rothermich, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, gave the School Committee an overview of the processes for both projects, which are happening simultaneously in the district.

From the Hopkins School total of $52.4 million, commitments to date amount to $45 million, or 86%. The expanded building will be ready for students to occupy by August of 2026, Rothermich said.

The presentation included photos of the work such as grouting of the geothermal wells, ledge removal in the geothermal well field, excavating of trenches for piping and creating foundation walls pending a concrete pour.

Some of that work will continue over the next month along with damn proofing and backfilling at foundation walls and more.

Rothermich’s report noted the architect’s expenditures to date are at 64%, or approximately $2.3 million, while the owner’s project manager (OPM) contract value is 24%, or $489,384.

Update on new school provided

The 60% construction documents for the Charleswood School have been submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). Both the Hopkinton Planning Board and Conservation Commission have given the project approval. The Conservation Commission is expected to hold a public hearing in the future about the street improvement, Rothermich said, and some of those issues may have to be approved by the Select Board as well.

A significant milestone is that an environmental impact report was submitted last month to the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) office. A certificate from that agency is expected in December. Once that happens, she said, the town will start getting reimbursement from the MSBA.

Target dates include a final estimate at 90% construction documents in January 2025, bidding of documents in March/April 2025 and awarding of a contract in May 2025.

The new school is expected to open in 2028.

School calendar prompts questions

The School Committee got its first glimpse of the proposed school calendar. Member Susan Stephenson questioned why two school vacations are included, bringing the last day to June 17 (with no snow days) or up to June 25 with snow makeup days.

She noted in Pennsylvania (where she used to teach), the school year finished at the end of May. Both Hopkinton and that district started at the end of August.

“If [we] took those two vacation weeks away, will the community come after me with hatchets?” Stephenson jokingly asked.

Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh explained that a subcommittee in 2021 worked on the calendar, getting feedback from students, families, faculty and others in the district. They met numerous times and researched what other districts were doing.

“Calendars reflect the people who live in a particular place,” Carol Cavanaugh said.

The result was a “greater inclusivity calendar” in 2022-23 that included Diwali, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the superintendent said.

Other days of discussion included Good Friday, Lunar New Year, Juneteenth and Eid al-Fitr among others.

Carol Cavanaugh said observing certain holidays at home while missing a school day is upsetting for many students. “They are stressing that someone is learning something they are not,” she said.

Student representative Savannah Rivera confirmed it makes things difficult because of having to make up missed classwork and homework “on your own.”

Chair Nancy Cavanaugh said the calendar can be an “incredibly divisive” issue in town.

Some families felt observing Jewish holidays in September presented a hardship, “being pulled out and losing instruction at the beginning of the year,” she said.

Nancy Cavanaugh also recalled Christmas Eve being a half-day in the past, a decision that was “unpopular among many” but that she liked.

Member Chris Masters noted, “No matter what decision is made, half the people are going to be upset.”

The board took no action on the calendar. Masters suggested forming another subcommittee, seeing as it had been several years. He said that group may come up with the same results or steer the calendar another way.

Carol Cavanaugh had explained that a subcommittee comes up with the schedule and recommends it for adoption by the School Committee.

Paraprofessional position approved

Other business included the committee approving a full-time ABA paraprofessional position (about $30,000) to meet the needs of students with intensive needs who moved into the district after the budget process was completed.

The position will be supported by a grant as well as partially by circuit breaker funds in FY 26, according to Abby Hanscom, director of student services.

The board also approved a $1,000 stipend for a Hopkins Memory Book coordinator.

SEPAC gives presentation

Representing the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) at the meeting were Jen Halliday (chair), Melissa Scherer (vice chair) and Erica Seekell (events coordinator).

Halliday spoke about how the organization creates a “safe space” for parents of special needs students, where they can chat and share stories without judgment.

“Parenthood is hard enough,” Halliday said. “[Having] a special needs child adds a whole layer of challenges.”

Stephenson, who serves as SEPAC liaison, noted there was “acrimony” in the relationship between the School Committee and SEPAC in the past, and they have been working on improvements.

Halliday said the communication and relationship with the School Committee is much better as they rebuild trust.

“That’s part of what this is supposed to do. … If there are rough edges, they get smoothed out,” Stephenson said, referring to the connection between the entities.

The SEPAC representatives also spoke about the various activities and initiatives they have, including Project SHARK (SEPAC Helps Add Resources for Kids). The project involves a wish list that SPED educators need like equipment and therapy supplies “that transcend the budget,” Halliday said.

The goal is to support educators and build awareness on the different needs of students with disabilities, she said.

The wish list is available on Amazon via “Hopkinton SEPAC.”

The organization is also accepting gently used items and is developing a donation list.