HomeMy Public PortalAbout20210429 - Schools - Meeting MinutesHopkinton School Committee
April 29, 2021
Special Meeting 7:00 PM
Via Remote - Zoom
Live via HCAM ED TV
MINUTES
I. Call to Order
Chair Amanda Fargiano called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM.
In Attendance:
Amanda Fargiano - Chair
Nancy Cavanaugh - Vice Chair
Meg Tyler - Member
Joe Markey - Member
Lya Batlle-Rafferty - Member
Also Present:
Dr. Carol Cavanaugh, Superintendent
Ms. Susan Rothermich, Director of Finance & Op.
Also in Attendance Select Board Members:
Branden Tedstone - Chair
Irfan Nasrullah - Vice Chair
Brian Herr - Member
Amy Ritterbusch - Member
Mr. Norman Khumalo, Town Manager
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Elementary School Building Committee -2
A. 7:05-7:15: Select Board - ESBC-2
The Select Board attended the meeting to discuss voting for establishing ESBC-2 for the purpose
of the Elmwood School SOI Eligibility Phase through the MSBA. Mr. Khumao and Dr.
Cavanaugh explained the proposed committee and the charge that he and Dr. Cavanaugh worked
together to format.
Motion: move to accept a motion to create a new School Building Committee to be named and
known as Hopkinton Elementary School Building Committee -2 and adopt for said Committee,
the Hopkinton ESBC-2 charge a presented and to authorize the Town Manager and
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Superintendent to post vacancies, interview candidates and make recommendations for
appointments to fill memberships for said Committee. Motion by Mr. Nassrullah, seconded by
Mr. Herr.
Roll Call:
Irfan Nasrullah - Yes
Brian Herr - Yes
Amy Ritterbusch - Yes
Brendan Tedstone - Yes
Mary Jo LaFrienere - Absent
Vote: Yes: 4, No: 0, Absent: 1, Passed: 4-0-1
IV. Reports
A. Superintendent's Report - Dr. Cavanaugh
• Dr. Cavanaugh provided an update on the elementary full time learning and Grades 6-12
return to full in -person learning.
• Dr. Cavanaugh explained that Pool Testing has started with only 20% of the families
participating at this point. The quarantining requirement was explained for positive
cases. Students may register for pool testing anytime. It is being considered at the high
school level to mandate pool testing for all Spring athletes and senior week activities.
• New DESE Regulations regarding `close contact' were explained.
• MCAS Testing dates of May 3- June 11 details were shared.
• School Committee members asked questions for clarification.
IV. New Business
A. Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles
For Consideration: Discussion Article 13 and Articlel4 on the ATM warrant.
Discussion: Article 13: A portion of the school budget deficit was to be taken out of the school
stabilization fund and portion out of theTown stabilization fund, we have been advised by the
Town CFO, Tim O'Leary, that this is no longer needed due to projected funding.
Motion Article 13: Move to take No Action on Article 13 at the Annual Town Meeting by Ms.
Tyler, seconded Ms. Cavanaugh.
Roll Call:
Joe Markey - Yes
Lya Batlle-Rafferty - Yes
Nancy Cavanaugh - Yes
Meg Tyler - Yes
Amanda Fargiano - Yes
Vote: Yes: 5, No: 0, Passed: 5-0
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Discussion: Article 14: ESSER III Grant funds will be able to handle items that are associated
with enrollment due to COVID. ESSER III funds will cover what Article 14 was related to.
Motion Article 14: Move to take No Action on Article 14 at the Annual Town Meeting by Ms.
Tyler, seconded by Ms. Batlle-Rafferty.
Roll Call:
Joe Markey - Yes
Lya Batlle-Rafferty - Yes
Nancy Cavanaugh - Yes
Meg Tyler - Yes
Amanda Fargiano - Yes
Vote: Yes: 5, No: 0, Passed: 5-0
B. Special Town Meeting Article 2 - Elmwood's MSBA Feasibility Study
For Consideration: Discussion and possible vote to accept revised language for STM Warrant
Article 2 related to Elmwood School MSBA Feasibility Study.
Discussion: Committee Members asked for clarification on the MSBA process.
• Future Meeting New Business:
o Mental Health Screening
o Sustainable Green Committee - SC Liaison
V. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Ms. Tyler, seconded by Mr. Markey.
Adjourned at 5:01 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
CIS
Nancy Richards -Cavanaugh, Chair
Amanda Fargiano, Vice Chair
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