The way this whole debate went down was eerily reminiscent of discussions regarding the WWTF on the Fruit Street property. The Fruit Street Development Committee had discussed many plans for many years. When the WWTF came closer to reality, that committee's response was "we've been discussing this for years." This same tack has now been taken by the School Committee. Ironically, many of those who now rely upon "we've been discussing it for years" to support their position for Districting are the very same people who attacked the Fruit Street Committee for taking that tack. It's a shame the town doesn't seem capable of learning from its own storied past...

Good point Jack! For those like me who have to look up WWTF, it is the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Here are some pics taken during construction.

Hopkinton Patch welcomes your comments on Monday's vote and your thoughts on the town-wide March 28 ballot.

"Just 100 votes separated the necessary two-thirds majority for a Yes win. " Respectfully, is this correct? With 900 voters in attendance, for a 2/3rd majority, approximately 600 yes votes would have been necessary. Therefore for this to pass at STM, it was 200 votes short based on amount of voters present. I believe if it was a simple majority (50/50) then it would be just 100 votes separated the win. Yes, I was educated in Hopkinton Public Schools over 20 years ago! Thanks for your article and giving residents an outlet to voice opinions!

We had 624 as the magic number, so you are absolutely correct, I was looking at the 518 as being roughly 100 votes shy, but that's on the wrong side of the voting fence, I will correct the second headline!

Where is a viable Plan B? I am extremely concerned that there are no viable or sensible Plan B options and that taxpayers are going to be paying so much more. At the vote, it was suggested that we renovate Center! Is this really Plan B? This is far more expensive, the MSBA does not support it, our children will be in trailers while asbestos and hazardous material is being slowly and carefully removed, and we will still be stuck with an unsafe bus loop. The Fire and Police Chiefs wrote letters to the MSBA recommending that renovation NOT be done at Center for this reason. Do we have to wait for a catastrophe for this to be concerning? I just don't see how the experts are all so wrong about construction on this site. And I don't want to pay all that extra money for an inferior solution. Let's see a real Plan B. This is extremely concerning. Where is Plan B?

I certainly hope that Plan B does not involve districting. Because if it does, it will certainly fail again.... I'm excited to see what Plan B's will surface if districting is taken off the table.

Plan B is renovating Center School? That is unacceptable. It will cost more no matter what. And the bus loop is never going to be fixed. This is asking voters to ignore money in-hand for ... who knows what. Fixing up a building for school purposes is very different than for office space or other uses. It is a waste of our hard earned money to sink it into the same building twice. As a non-school building, walls and surfaces may be changed. I have not heard a viable Plan B argument yet. This is very concerning.

I think it is so important that we can all express opinions and have a difference of them. I know that you Amy have put many hours into this community and the schools. I also know that you are aware I have as well. With this proposal there are many views. We should be proud that so many people are this passionate about our community. I would really like to point out that "anti-school" is insulting to the many volunteers and their countless hours spent supporting the schools and the children because their opinion might differ from your. Some may not agree with this proposal but it hardly makes us an "anti-school" group.

Amy - I was not aware that there was an anti school group. As far as I know, the 2 groups that were formed are both in support of schools, and simply disagree on what the best solution is for our town and our children. I believe BOTH groups have made it very clear that they care about Hopkinton, its schools, and its children. The Feasibility Study was focused only on options including districting. So not all options have been explored. I'm excited for the town and the school committee to work together on a proposal that the town can support.

As a newcomer to Hopkinton, I am puzzled by the resistance to districting. We came from a school district with districting. I had looked forward to my children attending the same school for 6 years. Just 2 years apart in age, they would have ridden the bus together, gone to after-school programs together, participated in the same school-wide assemblies and events, etc. I was attracted to Hopkinton because of the strong schools, but honestly, the school structure was a detriment. Now, I have to rush to pick up my kindergartner, then hurry home to be in time for my older child's bus. At our old school, there were between 80-100 students per grade, and within a couple of years the kids had interacted with each other frequently. I also appreciated the mentoring opportunities; kindergartners were paired up with 5th grade buddies in the fall and continued to meet through the year. Over 6 years, the school staff got to know each student very well. When my children move up to their new schools here, sure, they may know some other kids from all over town, but the school and the teachers will all be new (and my kids will be new to them).

Hopkinton residents will likely pay more for a new or remodeled school in the future, and districting is still in the overall master plan. This issue doesn't affect my children that much (they would just get to attend one more year of school together), but I still think it was a good plan for the town and its youngest residents.

I am blissfully neutral on the substance of this debate, but am HUGELY disappointed by much of the rhetoric coming from each side. As an observer from the sidelines, I find few of my neighbors who are truly "anti-school." Similarly, there's not a large number of folks who don't give a rat's you-know-what about the plight of those who are on fixed incomes or in financial distress. FYI to those of you choosing to use such inflammatory words -- those of us stuck in the middle are inclined to totally discount any valid points you may have to make about your "side" of the issue...

It is rather unfortunate that the only way we can get the School Committee to listen to districting concerns is by harpooning the new school. However, there are valid and sincere concerns about the socio economic effects that districting would have on our small town. The need for parity between schools should not be discounted or considered irrational and the questions of how to fund parity should not be considered adversarial in nature. These are questions that need to be answered and I do not feel that they have been answered to my satisfaction at this time.

To Contiue (thanks character limit) My child has missed library days at Elmwood because the roof was damaged, entire shelves of books were ruined and the library was closed. Yet you keep telling me that Elmwood is in great shape and needs little to bring it up to par with the proposed new school. The computer lab is down constantly due to some serious infrastructure issues. The Music Teacher’s room has seen better days, and looks more like my parents unfinished basement. The only rooms with working A/C are the computer lab and the recent additions at the back of the school. Yet you have neglected to address the funds needed for repair and maintenance of Elmwood school to allow parity. We were told at our orientation last year that the Smart Boards in use were mostly purchased as gifts of the HPTA or funded through grants. In fact many of the achievements that Elmwood has to boast about do not come with the state of the facility but instead are due to the adept administration and their culminated years of grant writing.

So send me all the post cards and mailers you want. Keep bombarding my inbox with your “Vote Yes!” emails, and keep telling me that I don’t know what I am talking about. But until I feel that the questions on districting have been answered to my satisfaction, I will be VOTING NO on Monday.

I feel districting in Hopkinton is absolutely obnoxious. We do not have the population to support the need of three K thru 5 elementary schools. I noticed a comment from one of the "yes" voters about how they moved to Hopkinton from Boston because of the wonderful school system and small town community feel- wouldn't districting ruin that community feel when we send our kids off to middle school and only a 1/3 of them know each other. We have a great system now. And yes the schools that exist do need updating. I agree with simply me's comment above. I feel it unfair the entire town is going to be paying huge money for a new school only 1/3 of our children will use. I will admit, I do live in the wealthier more affluent part of Hopkinton and it looks as my children will benefit by the new fruit street school if it passes... however I still don't feel districting is fair for all town residents and their children. And unfortunately after speaking to others in
my area of town (who are pushing the 'yes' vote)... The feeling I get (from quite a few of them) is that their underlying reasons for districting seems to be the desire for a divide between the higher status and higher income families from the average or lower income families... although none of them will publicly admit this or post these reasons on a town forum... this is the feeling I'm getting from some of my very own neighbors. I'm voting NO.

The whole social divide is just one of MANY concearns I have about this project.

And lets not forgot that most projects that are funded by any town and/or the state end up running out of money mid-way through the project which supposedly had a much better price tag than "Plan B", and then there is need for yet another tax hike to finish it.

The social divide is obvious just by some of these comments. Just because we have a low amount of children on assistance for school lunches isn't a general representation of the financial situation of EVERY family in town. There are many residents with no children, or whose children have moved out on their own with their families. Last time I took a drive around Hopkinton, there are just as many homes with a value UNDER the median, as there is ABOVE the median. I have lived here most of my life and I think it says a lot about how great Hopkinton is, that many of us "townies" decided to stay here to raise our own families! I don't want to be divided with my neighbors over a failed school project. There will be a plan at some point in the future that will be approved and everyone (or most of us at least...) will be comfortable with endorsing. Personally, I can not read another patronizing comment about what a mistake I made voting no...time to move on.

Julie, I believe it was a letter from you that first caught my attention about this. It was your letter followed by some other well known letters in the Independent that gave a voice to many of us who felt that we did not have an option. Until the questions began being asked about Center School/Fruit Street replacement by the you and others some months ago, I and MANY OTHERS in this town thought that we had no other choice but to deal with districting and suck up the taxes associated with a new school, whether we liked either parts of the current plan or not.

Your voice of "Assent" brought about a fundamental change for many of us who had questions and wanted to know if we had more options then the sole and single option presented to us by the SC. Please don't let the animosity and the insults lead you to believe that you did any sort of disservice to this town by voting No, please remember that 516 other voices joined you in doing so on Monday, and that many more are coming out to the polls next Monday to do the same. You brought so many people out of the woodwork that were afraid to speak up or did not know enough about the plan to speak up.

Regardless of whether or not this vote passes next week, you and others on these various sites and in their letters gave everyone a pause to consider other options for this town, and that had a direct impact on how we will work on these issues going forward.

We will all get past this and be neighbors again.

So Where is PLAN B? If you don't like Plan A Where is Plan B? I'm still not hearing anything.

Ann, thank you I am so flattered! Funny I am certain another letter you speak of was written by a Hopkinton classmate, Kim Brennan! She is so intellegent, and really did her homework for that letter! I am happy to have such great neighbors, I am really happy to hear that I had an impact. Since it's up to our elected officials to do the positions they we elected them for, I will wait patiently for their next proposal, and I you can rest assured I will let you know what I think!

People are stepping up to create a plan B, C and possibly a D too that was short sighted not to be proposed to the entire town in the first place. Since Monday night much leg work is being done by others who are not elected officials but individual citizens stepping up to try to create affordable fair options.
Monday's plan as well intentioned leaves far too many unaswered questions: parity, town infrastructure funding, safety, long term maintenaince and staff needs and more. Planning on Legacy before they even break ground on potential children that could be in these townhouses seems over projected. Most of the numbers are about ten years old and none of us would base personal decisions on decade old statistics but you think the town should? Lack of downtown revitilization and new businesses to less the home owners burden on such a cost and will change the landscape of the community in this economy does not seem right. Our children are thriving and accelling beyond Center school with its much needed repairs but in thisw economy and an enviroment of being consience of our resources lets just like education mind our "R's" Reuse, reduce, recycle , rennovate, repurpose and be respectful of each others struggling personal resources.

I personally hope all who can get out and vote on either platform they represent. But at least vote yes or NO let your vote count.
If anyone needs rides please let me know I will help drive.

Where is plan B? Wouldn't a lot of us would like to know! So far the only thing we have learned of Plan B from the HPTA and the SC is that we will have to vote NO before a plan B will even be considered by the School Committee and *that* is the crux of the problem here.

Somewhere in the discussion above somebody made the following comment :: "You mean to tell me that with all of the unoccupied land in this town that there isn't a different spot that could be used to build a new K-1 school? I don't buy that. Not for a second."

The truth is that there really isn't all that much unoccupied land in Hopkinton that is large enough (without major areas restricted from development) to construct a new school. One of the School Building Committees from about 10 years ago did quite a bit of work on this (before the town every bought Fruit Street, in fact).

Building a school is not like building a house. There are a whole host of physical requirements mandated by the state (driven by the anticipated grade levels that will occupy the building), and because public funds are at issue, labor costs are paid at a much higher "prevailing wage rate" than a project in the private sector would have to endure.

These basic truths are why suggestions like (can't we buy and convert EMC's empty building on South Street) are simply not feasible. They may seem common sensical, but common sense typically doesn't apply when it comes to public sector projects.

That said, this doesn't mean there aren't feasible alternatives to what was presented to the Town on Monday. It does mean, however, that feasible alternatives will be more challenging than may appear at first blush.

Seems to me that the research should have been done for a "Plan B" BEFORE voting down a proposal that has been researched for several years by people who are in the business of education for a profession. Simply stating 'there's got to be a better way' doesn't really constitute a plan. I truly truly hope that those who did not support the Fruit Street school can come up with a more cost effective and feasible alternative, otherwise we all lose. How will everyone feel when 1) our taxes are even higher b/c we didn't vote on the most cost efficient option, and 2) our schools are redistricted anyway .....
Very excited to hear a Plan B that will take care of everything.

Plan B needs to be developed as a community and with the communities support. It is obvious until the grant became more feasable this was not a hot topic in town until 4 months ago even though much work has gone into it. Plan B is not just to accept the current plan and we should be allowed the opportunity now as the community by greater that 20% voted NO on the original even with a 14million incentive it is not the right fit from cost, location districting and revitilization.
We need to fix Elmwood's roof, get Center ADA compliant NOW and hope we can make these starts as we prepare plan B.
Please Vote NO on Monday but be pro active in the creation of a great plan B built together over time.

That 23million is just the cost of the school that on Monday was voted down by a margin of greater than 20%, the people have spoken and wasnt the right plan. What would be additional traffic study, road widening, sidewalks, signs, safety consideration that are not even budgeted for or would we just have another overode for these and other concerns, There are solutions for the displaced students and heard some discussed this evening, people need to be open to options within the buildings we have. Nice to just say we could have a trailer park on the common, there are options and as we develop a plan they will be explored. Southboro did this and absorbed the students within the facilities they had temprarily. Years ago the second grade here was split, there are other solutions.

All Plan Bs are more costly than Fruit Street that is why I am expressing serious concern. Some voters believed that a No vote would result in a less expensive alternative. But after discussion last night with the architect, that appears quite unlikely.

Ethher that is not entirely true. The architect's only plan that renovated center still included a fruit street school. Definative words like ALL may not be correct because as asked at last night's mtg some alternatives were not fully explored and another expert in the field not hired by the town showed a poitential diagram and also heard from an expertresident who represented a successful process in a neighboring commmunity. Allow people to express opinions and explore other options who also may not be elected officials now but also have expertise in fields. The towm has spoken that the first option wasn't what the want and people are coming together to be pro active. The state already knows the community voted NO and tha is why the ten days started then. I believe Monday's vote will also reflect that. Our town is pro education and children just bot the bundle that we voted on and as we said last night that bundle was voted down for many reasons. If cost was the only issue we wouldn't have Hopkins or the High school. You also heard similiar sentiments from a for chairman of the selectmen and he is still active in our community. The option is not right on many concerns, may lose this grant and not our last shot at another before we create a package the town doesn't want. Pease VOTE NO again on Monday and as a community develop a plan our community will embrace and not divide over.

Well, this blog format I think also shows the vote yes camp only see one plan and may be proven wrong over time. The polls on Monday will reflect either way but bullying that" ALL " , and seeing the school committee, current selectman and previous ones offer up additional thoughts show we want a community backed decision. A resident who is an expert from another a neighboring town's option that worked well in their town also should ther are options for the children displaced. If any of the schools had a disaster that created the building un usable (roof collapse, fire, etc) dont you think we would find a quick solutions to meet the needs of OUR children. Allow the community to now step up and take the active role they are expressing, the fact there is 5 way race school committee shows people care and want to be pro active. If other experts never had to scratch ideas and go back to the drawing board for a plan open by new input and sets of eys we would not be in a democracy. I have never seen the community in such an uproar and we have had many heated issues before many of you moved hear but never seen such a mean spirited divide, to me it reflects passion but also something is just not the right fit for the town at this time.

Well put Darlene!

After going back and reading other articles, letters, and comments on this new school project I have to say that it makes me feel even worse about the whole thing. I've come across ignorant sounding comments thrown out there and am starting to wonder if people are more concearned about the towns childrens, or just a competition of test scores, etc with other towns. Comments like these make me wonder:

"Mr. Layton I do have information to back up my statements. As I stated in my letter, according to the Department of education, those three towns have districted elementary schools. Those elementary schools received the Exact Same AYP rating from the Department of Education. Those towns are similar to Hopkinton because they are high performing and have a low percentage of low income/free lunch students. Towns that experience Signficant differences in their elementary schools performance have a high percentage of low income/free lunch students. Hopkinton does not. I suspect that your friend's experiences reflect the impact economic diversity can have on a town."

"Westwood' is a smaller town than Hopkinton, has 5, K-5 elementary schools, they perform better than Hopkinton, and all perform EQUALLY Well. There is always room for improvement. Home value is influenced by the high school not the elementary school. Underperforming schools arise out of low-income neighborhoods. Sad but true. We have one of the lowest percentages of lowincome/free lunch students in the state."

continued from above...

I have to ask is this really for the kids best interest or just a chance to keep up with thw Jones's (meaning other school systems)? Just this morning there was a nice artcle written on this site by a 7th grader who was talking about how the transition into middle school was made easier because of the non-districted schools. But unfortunately nobody has taken the time to ask the kids who have gone through all of these transitions how they felt about it. It's just much easier to talk in circles and say things like "it will cost less" or "it's for the children".

Its not that the Yes camp only sees one option. They have been involved in and aware of the process over the last 5 years and realize that a plethora of different options have been explored, discussed and debated amongst interested community members and experts. An expensive feasability study was conducted and completed. This was not a narrow minded plan. It started with many different options, but then was funneled into the one that best suited the needs of OUR children and OUR community. Our principals have unanimously agreed that this is the best option, that THEY ARE LIMITED by the current structure. Ask any teacher at Center School if the children would benefit from having larger classrooms, if the teachers could be more effective with more space to conduct tutoring, more space to meet with colleagues. How would you like to be a kindergarten teacher with 20 kids who couldn't go outdoors for recess for a month because there wasn't enough space for the children to safely go outside for recess because of the snow? This plan has been flushed out over 10 years as the best option. When is the last time a large town project has had the support of the BoS, Capital Improvement Committee,Appropriations Committee, SC, HESBC, MSBA and Mass Dept of Education, along with the HPTA and the Elementary Principals, police chief and fire chief? My kids would not go the new school, but they would benefit from the improvement in our school system this plan would provide.

Hopkinton schools perform just fine. If people are so impressed by other towns test scores they should move there. My husband and I have lived in many places in and out of MA before having our young kids- Hopkinton schools are NOT rated higher then some of the other places we lived nor is it wealthier or more desired... but it has many other positives. We moved here because we wanted to be in a nice quiet small town where all the kids would know each other and hopefully we would get to know many of the parents as well. we wanted our kids to grow up with a good sense of community and town pride. One new elementary school for 1/3 of our kids and districting are not going to make our kids smarter. I also read the artice by the middle schooler (mentioned above) - it was a very nice and shows our kids would rather stick together and that they felt more secure knowing all of their classmates come time for middle & high school. Social development is importnat to children and any plan that involves districting is not only going to divide this town but divide our children and friendships they have (or could have). I think boasting about Hopkinton having a low percentage of low income housing/free lunches is completely irrelevant to the issue at hand... and just proves the comment I made yesterday about many of my vote 'yes' neighbors being more concerned with social status then anything else here. Poverty&/ or a lower class are not contagious...

continued...
I personally think economic diversity isn't altogether a negative in any town. People come from all walks of life... and our children should be exposed to all kinds of people... not just to point out their differences or have them feel sorry for the children that live in a smaller house or get free lunch but to show them that they really aren't all that different. I was discussing the districting issue with another father in my neighborhood- he assumed I was voting yes because my children would benefit from the new fruit street school... he made a very off color comment about "all the lower income people ("like in the town houses & stuff") will probably be districted together". I find that snobbery from SOME of the residents in this town to be sad... and I feel most of the "yes" voters do have their own agenda. Like I said before- fix what we have... and if a new school needs to be built...great!... as long as it does not involve districting! There should be NO divide in our community. Hopkinton is a nice town with great schools... lets fix what is broken and not create more problems. We need to do what is best for the town as a whole!

Regerdless of whether you are for or against, don't kid yourself that the 14 million from the state is free???????? Where does MSBA money come from, State Taxes. I'm sure every working person in Hopkinton pays state taxes. End result, we pay 38 million. I have lived in this state for 70 yrs, and nothing is free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Furthermore, if you look up the delinquent taxpayer #'s, it won't matter if the tax rate is increased, or 2 1/2 is overidden.When you don't pay or can't pay property taxes where will the money come from ????????

Ok. So you want to turn down a 15 million dollar tax refund, and pass along your tax money to another community?

BTW, Still haven't really heard any details about a more economical Plan B -- hearing lots of complaints about the current plan, and lots of ideas. Waiting to hear specific numbers and timelines, alternate locations for students during this reno of center while asbestos is being knocked around during construction.

With regard to this "social divide" that redistricting would create; I don't thing I've seen anything in the plan to break up districts based on income or house size. I grew up in a districted town and our school was quite well rounded. It's not as if a "Great Wall" is going to be put up to mark districts and we can't cross over those lines socially. And by sixth grade the kids will all be together again, and they can finish out the last 6 yrs of their secondary education together. I can't even remember which of my high school friends went to my elementary school and which ones went to another district.

Don't you think a plan B, C, & D... should have been thought up and proposed with Plan A. It is the towns own closed minded approach to this project which has created this big time crunch in losing money from the state. This project (or one similar) has been proposed again and again over many years and hasn't passed... obviously there is a reason why it's not working. Where are you getting this 15$million tax refund????? There is no refund!?!?!?!? And as Pat stated above State money is NOT free! Do you have a job? Do pay taxes? The state always gets their money back... nothing is free! There has been no quotes on exactly what it would cost to build a smaller school to replace Center School... or any exact quotes about what fixing and updating our existing schools would cost- without a fruit street school! My father-in-law is a very well respected constuction engineer and my husband and I were talking to him about this debate going on with a new school etc... He laughed when I was telling him that many residents feel this new school would be the cheaper option. If we build a new school or not the old ones still need renovating/updating... a new school is not cheaper no matter what. Can't state this enough- a new school isn't what's needed here. We need to fix whats broken, and improve what we have. This is not the economy for spend spend spend!

Since most of the comments in here insinuate that we are ALL SO WELL OFF financially, shouldn't that State money go to a town that has a higher percentage of low income families, and REALLY needs those funds? I'm glad you had a great experience in your hometown's districted schools. I loved my childhood in Hopkinton's centralized school system, it's a great system and it works, and I will never change my "don't fix it if it isn't broken" attitude regarding districting.

Thank You Julie!!!!!!!!!

"on Monday was voted down by a margin of greater than 20%, the people have spoken and wasnt the right plan. "

Well, "the people" who could attend the meeting spoke, anyway. Because the meeting was held at 7pm on a Monday, I alone can think of a dozen folks who could not attend and cast their vote because they have small children and didn't have a sitter. I'll bet everyone knows at least a few people who were in the same position. It was nice that babysitting was provided and was great for those with older kids, but didn't help those with littler ones whose kids couldn't handle being up to 9:45pm and/or being left for the first time with strangers. And unfortunately, these are the folks whose children will probably be most affected by this decision.

Julie, Ann, Claire, Corina
Thank you for speaking up for our community and voicing concerns even through animosity. Some may not have been here long enough to truly embrace the character of the town, its incredible pride and spirit. As an example if you look to Framingham a town that is very much divided by sides north to south and years ago merged to one high school in the largest town in the country in one exisiting school (north). If you knew people from Framingham often it was I am from the North or I am a Southie but near the north line to distinguish from association with certain areas. None of us want or next generation growing up saying I live over in the east, I'm a laker etc. - we are Hopkinton. We as a community speaking up will create plans for education and other platforms as they arise and over time. In corporate America often the best laid plans are scrapped and back to the drawing board when more eyes and new eyes review and offer input. As an example The Senior Center took years and was labor that went back to the drawing board (more than once) and is now a vital part of our community now from its days in a damp dark basement in the town hall. When people are receiving their tax bills this week it is also an awakening of the costs before us in addition to the needs. We will continue to strive to improve while maintaining our town character and landscape with respect to ALL its citizens needs.
Reply

Leave a comment

Thanks Claire I know Framingham may be an extreme example of a communtiy divided because of its population and diversity but also one that is rather close to home. Newwton is another community divided but a city and a greater Boston demographic that we do not compare fairly against from government structure, history and business base. Let's rally together vote NO again then rally back as a community. This much negative passion among grown ups is already reflective of adversity, cliques and divisons so glad plan failed and we have time to create plan B that will not endorse this behavior that is so NOT pro-Hopkinton. I will be voting NO along side you and many others.

Our children will go to the same middle school and High School, wouldn't you agree that is very different?. I grew up in Framingham as well. I never felt our K-5 schools competed. I met my best friend in middle school even though we didn't go to elementary school together. She now lives in Hopkinton too. I agree, Framingham is completely different from Hopkinton. It is the size of a city with "good" parts and "bad" parts. I went to Brophy Elementary which is not in a "bad" part of town. Now Brophy is the worst performing elementary school because children are bused from a lower income section of town and the school focuses on english as a second language students. 55.3% of the children are low income. This demonstrates the connection between a large population of disadvantaged students and underperforming schools. Center, Elmwood, and Hopkins have 1.5, 1.6 and 1.1% low income students. Hopkinton will not have a K-5 school with a high percentage of low-income students. The small percentage we have will be evenly distributed. I'm sure this will be spun into some sort of elitist argument, but it's just an observation of data. Neighborhood schools will not divide this town, people choosing to will.

At this point the voters will decide and go from there.
We have wealthier pockets and definately lower income pockets surrounded by much middle. What we need now is a middle ground.

Wow, seriously, maybe that MSBA money should go to Framingham, they really need it.....

This is Simply me from above. Using different acct due to issues. When we moved to Hopkinton, I had reservations about the current grade spans mainly due to the fact that I had never encountered such a system before. But I have changed my mind on this after having experienced our current grade/school structure for my own child, as I do believe that it works better than the normal K-5 or K-6 grade spans that I experienced growing up. I mentioned in comments to another article that I am continually impressed with the way the graded schools have worked for our children's education. Each school has an opportunity to apply all of the school resources to a very specific age/grade demographic in elementary education that other school districts do not have. The facilities and staff at each school focus on their educational demographic and can apply specific strategies that are most effective in each demographic.

The issue of districting will not see a resolution if continues to be combine it with building the additional school to replace Center School. In addition, the currently proposed tax increases that will be required for the new school will hurt many of the citizens in this town while we continue in this weak economy.

Comments by some SC members that districting will continue regardless of the outcome because that is "what [they] were elected to do" leads me to believe that I will need to much more selective of SC Members that I vote for in this upcoming election.

Furthermore, a letter from Mike and Jen Sullivan on another town site very clearly outlines the issue of districting for many people, including a clear comparison of test outcomes of Hopkinton's current structure compared to other towns that have moved onto the district model currently being proposed. Hopkinton does in fact come out ahead in these scores with our current shorter grade span school structure.

I am voting No, and my primary reason for my No vote remains due to the fact that I do not agree with the proposed districting structure that has been combined with the proposed plans to replace Center School. In addition, I have many concerns about the forecasted tax increases that will be that will be required not only to build a new school but to bring other schools up to par, and yes, I am specifically speaking of Elmwood School. So much has not been accounted for in the proposed budget for the new school, the infrastructure required for it, and the investment in current schools that require significant maintenance and repairs.

Finally, moving to a district structure that will affect all school children in this town should have been better vetted among the town residents before it was rolled into the plans for a new school and unfortunately, at the moment, the only opportunity I have to speak out against the proposed districting plan is to both vote No on the new school on Monday and to vote for new SC candidates who will understand these concerns.

All great and valid reasonings Ann! You will be pleased come election time, there are MANY people stepping up and putting themselves out there as SC and other Committee candidates. Just like on the National and State levels last November, it's time to "clean house"! It's wonderful to see that some of these incumbents will NOT be running unopposed!

I agree Erin, our tax dollars will simply go to another town's infrastructure. Also when looking at our performance compared to other towns, socio-economic status and other factors must be taken into account to evaluate test scores. When this has been researched with adequate controls, longer grade spans perform better than shorter.

How can anything that deepens our deficit be cost effective??????????????

Not only that, I feel if the percentage of low income families in the Brophy District of Framingham is 55%, that's just sad. I care about their children too. They probably NEED help with their schools, where all of this discussion is over what only SOME of this community want....
Socio-economic factors are relative. Some one at low income level in Framingham I am CERTAIN is much much different that someone in Hopkinton regarding as low income.

Excerpt from MW Daily news 3/25/2011:
"School Committee member Nancy Burdick said she would be worried to push through a project that may be unpopular or not quite right for the town just in an effort to get the reimbursement cash from the state.

Many in the audience last night suggested the town take a few steps back and start anew, reviewing a few other options and bringing in more community involvement to draft a plan that will be more favorable to the public.

Selectmen Chairman R.J. Dourney said he is concerned that any decision or new plan crafted in haste might not be what's best for the community."

Read more: Hopkinton school leaders plan for the worst - Hopkinton, MA - Hopkinton Crier http://www.wickedlocal.com/hopkinton/archive/x1664571636/Hopkinton-school-leaders-plan-for-the-worst#ixzz1HkOrjHld

Julie I forwarded this same article to friends today too. Nancy and RJ areis right if the community doesn't embrace a plan better to step back. We will with fresh eye some up with a new plan.

In relation to all our debates in here, it's very relevant that even the Committees are agreeing that rushing into an unpopular plan just to get the MSBA funding is not worth it....it's still a massive contribution by the taxpayers, with or without the state funds. This whole process exemplifies the beauty of our democracy. I hope when things quiet down everyone continues to pay such close attention to how our tax money is spent, and ensures our democracy works for us, not just US working to pay them!

Amy,
When was the last time you were at the Hopkinton Senior center and actually took time out to speak with these wonderful vital part of our community and without them the fabric of Hopkinton wouldnt be what it is today. I am was with them on Friday and often, they offer a wealth of information and history. Please dont speak for them if you dont know them, really know them.
STOP refering to people that oppose the first plan anti school we are very far from it!
Here is a quote from one of you may recognize: "By no means does this suggest that parents opposed to neighborhood schools do not want what's best for our children." Dan Driscoll, letter to the editor Hopnews
Having proposed many grants and fundraising for over 20yrs of documented experience we are not throwing $ away we are stepping back, re evaluating with additional points of view and even if it steps the process back a bit and it will not to the end of the line the state will respect that we want a plan that the community fully embraces and committed too. We have allies in the state for many years who respect not only Hopkinton but how we support each other who will advocate on our behalf when we have a plan accepted, this was not!

Amy,
That was great the seniors had a good time that evening and enjoyed the skits I hope it becomes regular practice and not a once in a blue moon scout visit. They are open all day Monday - Friday and love when they have more interactions with the commuity so I hope you take the opportunty even without scouts to stop in and get to know them a lot better.
This is again Hopinton and many who have moved here from big cities like Indianapolis with 60+ public schools and the second largest midwest city may see things from a mnuch larger scale. This is still, a small New England town with a town meeting format that allows for democracy to speak, change and growth. I will be shocked if the vote passes Monday and will VOTE NO. It is obvious our community is not ready and this was NOT the absolute right solution. As Nancy Budick and RJ have said in Metrwest Daily News we need the community to support whatever moves forward. A gap of over 20% prevailed at the town mtg if this was an election would we be able to whine do over! Vote NO!

Amy, Kudos on entertaining the seniors at Davis Rd. But, to my knowledge they do not pay property taxes, and the Senior Citizen Housing is State funded. Esther, You are asking the wrong people for a Plan B C D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am very proud of our Schools and we have some of the strongest schools and students in the state SO VOTE NO MONDAY. Vote no to wasteful spending and vote no to districting!

What are the other solutions? I have yet to read about a town that passed up on a school and didn't end up spending millions a few years later. $14 million more for Plymouth and the increase for Wayland was $14.5 mil. If it doesn't pass, I surely hope all of you are right. Plus the Center School site is a very poor location for a variety of reasons.

How is the Center School location any worse than Fruit St?! It is centrally located in the town. You want to build a new school in a part of town with some of the most spread out land and use it for districting. What about all of the homes that they want to build behind Weston Nurseries? They won't be going to Fruit St. The center of town and up towards the Milford, Holliston, and Ashland lines are more congested and less spread out. They wouldn't be going to Fruit St either. They are too far away. So you are going to build a huge brand new school in an area with a more spread out population, and then cram Elmwood and Hopkins with the most students. Not to mention the students that will be living in future home projects. That makes no sense. AND use up all of the funding that should also be going towards repairs for Elmwood and Hopkins on this new school.

Esther, Amy
At this point is it is in the voters hands and the community will decide. The state does not expect a plan b in less than a week. Actually they have asked just for a lettter with at the ten day mark that does NOT include a resolution. In your words these are our elected officials and I heard then speak and saw in the press (Nancy and RJ) the opinion of not to react and move in haste with out the community support. Even your husband said we are not anti school as being labeled. Eric Sonnet (past selectman and chair of the bos) spoKe about how pro education this town is. NOT this option, if you think it is the first time frompersonal, corporate, municipal, federal, world wide plans that came close to implementation have been sent back to the drawing board even after hard work. Fresh eye, bring awakening ofquestions and other options - town mtg allows for that and not even close to 2/3's margin needed mean there is not community support! Don't dangle a 14million carrott in one hand and then be saying we can afford it we are rating 14th highest wealth in state in the same breath. Allow town democracy to play out either way we are still a community (rich, wealthy middle ground and poor together and may all not be members of HCC but love this town just the same. Hopkinton come out and vote tomorrow because it is your chance to be heard in this democracy.

On a side bar Lexington has always been looked at as an affluent community and saw on the news today that this weekend they hosted a free dental work for their citizens with lines starting at 2am, they were quoted as times are tough and this is an area people for go because of job loss/no insurance or unability to pay.
This economy is still hurting and these programs reflect it and the 14million coupon(based on points that can be reduce at any point based on monitoring) taken in haste could cost us more in the long run from $ to the landscape/fabric of our community . To keep asking for a plan B faster than the state even wants an initial response is in haste, step back pay your recent tax bill, find out why the community did not support this.

I am not opposed to a new school to replace Center. I am opposed to redistricting and to not having a fair option put on the table at the meeting last week. So please give us a viable PK-1 school to replace Center school and serve as the Hopkinton Early Childhood Center.