Hopkinton Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh and School Committee members said they were taken by surprise when the Select Board requested they come back with a budget reflecting a 5.1 percent increase rather than the $60.1 million fiscal year 2024 proposal, which has an...
School Committee
School Committee discusses superintendent evaluation during mid-year ‘check-in’
During a mid-year “check-in” preceding a final, formal evaluation of Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh, School Committee member Holly Morand on Thursday questioned how more objectivity could be injected into the process and how the community at large could offer its...
School Committee endorses new school site, adds paraprofessionals
At its Thursday meeting, the Hopkinton School Committee endorsed the Elementary School Building Committee’s choice of a site on Hayden Rowe Street and a design called “Village East” for the proposed Elmwood School replacement. ESBC chair Jon Graziano and vice chair...
School Committee selects 3-grade configuration for Elmwood replacement
The Hopkinton School Committee on Thursday voted to have a Grades 2-3-4 configuration for the proposed Elmwood School project, citing cost savings and the ability to address needs system-wide to address growing enrollment. However, member Holly Morand abstained from...
School Committee approves $60 million proposed budget
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnGKoPiDFd8&list=PL8WekT6kxX1B3xlP6fIr3QmhJButK4GkU&index=1 The School Committee on Thursday voted 4-1 to approve a fiscal year 2024 budget totaling $60,172,752, a slight change from the proposal members had been working with...
School Committee listening session evokes questions on grade configurations, budget
The Hopkinton School Committee’s Listening Session via Zoom on Sunday night was intended to focus on possible grade configurations related to the Elmwood School project. However, comments related to the overall budget as well as the restoration of therapy service...
School Committee restores SPED hours to budget following protests
Following sometimes tearful presentations from parents and educators, the School Committee instructed Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh to eliminate a proposed cut in occupational therapy services. The original plan for reductions had speech and physical therapy services...
Photos: Teachers rally against SPED cuts
Hopkinton teachers and supporters rallied Thursday prior to the School Committee meeting in the Hopkinton High School auditorium. The teachers oppose cuts to the special education staff. Check back Friday for a recap of the meeting.
Study: Work on existing schools expected to cost at least $280 million to accommodate student growth
Whether the Hopkinton School Committee chooses to make the proposed Elmwood School house Grades 2-3 or Grades 2-3-4, it would cost between $280 million and $302 million for work on the other schools to handle population growth — so says a system-wide study conducted...
Some therapy reductions restored in revised school budget proposal
During a budget discussion on Thursday, Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh notified the Hopkinton School Committee that proposed cuts to physical, occupational and speech therapy services had been revised. The initial plan to cut 0.8 of a staff position from physical...
School Committee roundup: Grant funding could offset capital costs, cover SPED roles
Continued discussion about the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget and a presentation about a climate action strategy were topics at the School Committee’s last meeting of 2022 on Thursday. Director of Finance Susan Rothermich talked once again about a proposed FY24 net...
School Committee meeting centers on FY24 budget, capital requests
The proposed fiscal year 2024 budget and capital plan dominated Thursday’s School Committee meeting, held jointly with the Select Board and Appropriation Committee. Director of Finance Susan Rothermich led a presentation about a proposed $60 million school operating...
Photos: Teachers protest proposed special education budget cuts
The Hopkinton Teachers Association organized a rally outside HCAM studios prior to the start of Thursday's School Committee meeting. The teachers are protesting proposed cuts to the special education (SPED) budget. Check back Friday for a recap of the meeting.
`Disconnect’ continues regarding proposed therapy services cuts at schools
Once again, Thursday’s School Committee meeting featured a public comment period when several speakers expressed concern about proposed reductions in occupational, physical and speech and language therapies. It was followed by a presentation in which Superintendent...
Grade configurations, budget requests among School Committee topics
One of the pending decisions by the School Committee is whether to have a new Elmwood School cover Grades 2-3 or Grades 2-4. A presentation on Thursday included diagrams showing configurations until 2032. Projected enrollment for a two-grade facility is 774 students,...
School budget plans include requests for personnel
Budget presentations from building and administrative leaders were on the Hopkinton School Committee meeting agenda on Thursday. High school On behalf of the high school, Principal Evan Bishop outlined some of the areas contributing to a proposed 5.6 percent increase...
School Committee roundup: Educators decry proposed FY24 budget cuts to special education positions
The School Committee met before a packed room Thursday night to discuss proposed cuts in the upcoming special education budget, where administrators stressed that they are already stretched thin because of increases in students and the complexity of their needs....
School Committee discusses solar panels, mental health days
The School Committee on Thursday accepted a power purchase agreement with Solect Energy Development previously passed by the Select Board. The 20-year pact is for the installation of rooftop photovoltaic projects at Hopkins School, the middle school and the high...
Capital plan, summer programs top School Committee agenda
The bulk of Thursday night’s three-hour School Committee meeting was devoted to looking at a potential fiscal year 2024 capital plan and needs for the long-term over 10 years as well. Director of Finance Susan Rothermich outlined the following items and their proposed...
Joint meeting outlines school budget process, challenges
During a joint meeting with the School Committee and Appropriation Committee on Thursday, the Select Board adopted a budget message with an option for a 5.1 percent capping increase. That adoption occurred following a presentation by Town Manager Norman Khumalo and...