Kyla McWeeney was appointed as the new member of the Hopkinton School Committee in a decision that concluded with a narrow 5-4 vote. The appointment process was a joint effort between the select board and the school committee. McWeeney’s background in managing grant programs, education, and law were critical factors in her selection. Her experience and expertise in negotiations were also seen as valuable assets, especially with upcoming labor negotiations on the horizon.

During the meeting, the superintendent presented a report that showed strong academic performance among students. Noteworthy statistics included a 92.3% rate of grade 10 students meeting or exceeding expectations in reading, which underscores a high level of literacy. Additionally, the Middle School librarian reported high engagement among students, with notable figures such as 950 out of 997 students utilizing the library and 3,392 books checked out, a majority of which were graphic novels and manga.

The meeting also touched on the Mental Health Collaborative curriculum, which aimed to address and correct misconceptions among students about mental health issues. The data presented and the subsequent discussion underscored the committee’s interest in the mental health and well-being of the students, pointing to the importance of education and awareness in combating stigma.

Furthermore, the meeting discussed the school budget and the allocation of funds for various projects. The committee approved a $1,000 incentive for the district as part of the Digital Wellness project. Additionally, there was a proposal to replace a vacant paraprofessional position with a Wellness teacher and a math specialist to better serve the students’ needs. The selection of the Adaptive playground designer was also addressed, with fee negotiations leading to a proposed fee of $63,800 with the Beta group. These items were approved by consensus.

The superintendent’s report delved into the high school guidance department data, showing the number and percentage of students pursuing further education and mean scores on college testing. Preliminary ELA MCAS data revealed improvements in writing scores across the middle school grades.

During the public comments section of the meeting, two individuals spoke in support of McWeeney, citing her qualifications in education, budget management, and legal background. Her opponent Brendan Tedstone also had his qualifications highlighted, emphasizing his longstanding community involvement and prior service on the select board.

The candidates for the school committee were asked about their commitment to regular meeting attendance, with one candidate expressing pride in their perfect attendance record during their previous term. The candidates’ approaches to managing the town’s budget and school projects were probed, and they shared their visions for maintaining the town’s top-ranking schools while being financially aware of the tax burden on residents.

The upcoming HDA contract negotiation was a point of discussion, with candidates sharing their negotiation strategies and experiences. The importance of being firm yet respectful during negotiations, relationship building, and making people feel heard was emphasized. Members discussed the special education budget, stressing the need to meet federal and state requirements while managing spending effectively.

Also of note, one member called for a formal election to fill the school committee position in the future, referencing the strong support one candidate had received in past town elections. Concerns about the influence of political entities on the school committee and the need for independence in decision-making were addressed, as was the impact of demographic trends on school enrollment and infrastructure needs.

The meeting concluded with the approval of payroll warrants and a report on liaison appointments, which are to be discussed at the next meeting. After addressing these items, the committee moved into an executive session to discuss a level three grievance filed by the Hopkinton Teachers Association.