The School Committee on Thursday approved contracts for an adaptive playground project at Marathon Elementary School as well as energy management services at the high school.

The committee heard from Susan Rothermich, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, about the selection process for the playground.

Rothermich said the district received 16 bids. The lowest bidder, Pro Built Designs, was at $599,700. The other two lowest bidders were Campora Construction Company at $612,875 and Sunshine Paving Corporation at $645,000.

The companies were reviewed for “responsiveness, responsibility and eligibility,” with Pro Built Designs ultimately receiving the contract with unanimous School Committee approval.

Last May, voters at Annual Town Meeting approved funding for the project by free cash and Community Preservation funds. The Community Preservation Committee allocated $300,000 and cited concerns about the playground’s location. Because it is at a school, some members objected to the fact other community members could only use the playground during off-school hours.

Rothermich explained that starting in 2024, the Adaptive Playground Committee evaluated 198 town-owned parcels before choosing the Marathon School site.

The assistant superintendent said the installation is expected to take place over the summer months, with the project’s completion date by September 2026.

“The hope is for it to be done when students come back to school,” she said.

Said School Committee member Nancy Cavanaugh: “It’s nice to see it at this point. It took a couple of years.”

Energy management contract signed

The board also approved an energy management services contract with CMTA. In September 2025, CMTA presented its findings from an energy audit performed at school buildings. The School Committee opted for design and engineering of a water-to-water geothermal system for the high school.

Rothermich noted it would be paid for by existing HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) funds totaling $900,000 that previously were approved.

School budget adopted

In other business, the School Committee adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget of $71,836,488.

The vote took place following several meetings and a public hearing on the proposal, with members of the Select Board, Appropriation Committee and Capital Improvement Committee present.

The budget is 5.84% or $3,966,833 more than in FY 26.

Staffing requests in the budget total $535,762, with $87,856 of that amount previously approved by the School Committee.

Chair Kyla McSweeney previously explained the positions approved were mandated and the result of new students moving in during the year and requiring special education services.

The staffing requests are for a special education intensive teacher at Hopkins School, a related arts teacher at the middle school, a reading interventionist at the middle school, a 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) English for speakers of other languages teacher for pre-K and kindergarten at Marathon School, an assistant principal at the high school and a custodian at Elmwood School (then Charleswood School in the future).

Cavanaugh praised administrators for their comprehensive budget presentations, saying the process went smoothly.

HHS earns AP Honor Roll recognition

During his superintendent’s report, Evan Bishop noted Hopkinton High School earned platinum recognition on the College Board AP School Honor Roll for the 2024-25 school year.

To earn this highest of recognition, Bishop noted several benchmarks had to be met, including 80% of seniors experiencing at least one AP (advanced placement) class, supporting 50% of the graduating class earning college credits with an AP score of 3 or higher and at least 15% of students completing five or more AP classes during high school.

Bishop called the accomplishment “very impressive,” adding, “It’s a testament to the hard work of our students, teachers and counselors, so shout-out to all of them.”