In case you missed last night's meeting, here are the highlights.

1. The elementary school principals spoke about the possibility of changing the current bus policy to allow parents more flexibility to make changes in bus stops, along the same route, throughout the school year.

“We should air on the side of safety.” Ilene Silver said.

“It adds a layer of complexity that would compromise child safety.” Greg Martineau, principal of Elmwood School, said. “Without adding a layer on, it is a complex process of dismissing students.”

Despite the recommendations of the principal the School Committee voted to change the policy with a 3 to 2 vote.

2. There are two finalists for the position of Hopkinton Assistant Superintendent. Robert Berlo, currently secondary curriculum director for Hopkinton and Weymouth Assistant Superintendent, Mary Ann Demello. They will both be making on site visits to the Hopkinton schools in the next few weeks.

3. Superintendent Jonathan Landman is beginning presentations to the community that will run on HCAM. Kathy Dooley, technology director, will give a technology update in the coming month. In addition, Alan Keller and Maryellen Grady will be doing a report on the related arts program at the Hopkinton Middle School along with a State of the Schools update from the Superintendent.

4. In addition to the normal meeting, the School Committee met with the Board of Selectman to discuss the next steps for a solution to the Center School. After the letter received on September 17 from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the School Committee has been using the information received to move forward. Both the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee will be meeting jointly with the MSBA to discuss future plans.

The School Committee would like the community to email any suggestions for topics with the MSBA. Please send any suggestions to jbertschmann@hopkinton.k12.ma.us.

Troy Mick, School Committee member and member of the school building assessment subcommittee, outlined the proposed communications plan, timeline and process for starting fresh with a new plan for the Center School issue. Three forums are being set up to receive feedback from the community in October and November. This will give the School Committee time to take the information and begin formulating a plan.

5. Gale Associates has agreed to complete the window study on the Center School for $9000 but the Historic District Commission must first be consulted.

The HVAC study is officially off the table because, according to state regulation, the building would have to become fully handicap accessible in order to do a renovation of that cost. This would include renovations such as a new elevator and replacing every toilet and sink in the building.

“The logical consequence,” Landman said, “is not to spend money on an HVAC study.”