03:23During the superintendent’s report, a detailed account of the gas leak at Hopkins School was provided. The leak was detected at the regulator near the gas meter around 10:00 a.m. School personnel reacted promptly by contacting the fire department and initiating a school evacuation, pulling the fire alarm as the odor intensified. The fire department was lauded for their two-minute response time, which was described as impressive. The evacuation plan placed fourth graders in the Doyle gym and fifth graders in the Brown gym at the middle school, where the students watched movies while waiting for the situation to resolve. The superintendent praised the students’ behavior and expressed gratitude for the educators and support staff, including custodial and cafeteria teams, who managed the situation effectively. Lunches were provided by the cafeteria staff from Elmwood Marathon, the high school, and the middle school, highlighting a commendable collaborative effort.

The incident caused a disruption leading to the cancellation of the fifth grade MCCAST event for the day, which disappointed the students. The fire department managed to control the leak by 10:50 a.m., and all students and staff returned to the school by 11:20 a.m. The incident’s cause remains under investigation, but it was confirmed that it was unrelated to ongoing construction at the school. The board acknowledged the collective efforts of the school community and emergency responders in handling the situation.

20:51Another topic addressed was the presentation of the annual bullying and bias reporting statistics by Dr. Kavanagh. The school utilizes a unique bias reporting form known as BURF. The high school reported three BURF incidents this year, one of which was anonymous. Notably, an incident was reported where students mockingly signed a Gay Straight Alliance Club fair sheet, creating discomfort for GSA members. At the middle school, there were 35 reports, with various outcomes. Three reports were dismissed as jokes, while 30 were investigated. One incident involved a comment about a student’s skin tone, which opened a dialogue about race and sensitivity among students. Seven cases were classified as findings of bullying after investigation. The board discussed distinctions between harassment and bullying, emphasizing educational interventions over suspensions.

25:29In personnel matters, the board approved the contract for the new superintendent, Evan Bishop, for a three-year term starting July 1, 2025, with an annual salary of $210,000. This contract was made public to ensure transparency. The board also ratified a new contract with the Hopkins Teachers Association, acknowledging the respectful negotiations involved.

30:29The meeting also included discussions about the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) grant for an adaptive playground, which garnered community support. The project received $300,000 in funding from the CPC. Acknowledgment was given to Mrs. Rothermick and the adaptive playground committee for their efforts in advancing this initiative. The board unanimously approved the CPC grant for the playground.

10:26Further, the meeting touched upon the board’s future meeting structure, proposing potentially fewer but longer meetings in July to accommodate work and childcare commitments. The option of virtual meetings was discussed to increase participation flexibility. The next meeting’s date will be finalized via email before the June 12 gathering.