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Superintendent outlines entry report and recommends two senior hires for Hopkinton schools
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Summary
Superintendent presented an entry report identifying six strategic themes (growth alignment, teaching and learning, behavior and belonging, communication, expanded readiness, and facilities) and the committee approved appointments of Helene Desjardins as director of student services and Cindy Maher as chief financial officer, both contingent on contract negotiations.
Superintendent presented an entry report March 26 that summarizes eight to nine months of community engagement, data review and school visits and recommended a five-year strategic plan to align district systems.
"These findings are a starting point," the superintendent said, describing six priority buckets for the work: growth capacity and system alignment; teaching and learning (with a focus on literacy and MTSS); behavior, belonging and mental health; communication and trust; expanded definitions of student readiness; and resources, facilities and grade configuration.
The committee accepted the entry report as a framework for the coming strategic-planning process and directed administration to share the report with the community and use it to develop a district improvement plan over the next year.
The superintendent also recommended two leadership hires. Helene Desjardins, the superintendent said, "brings 18 plus years of experience" from the Northborough–Southborough school system and was recommended as the next director of student services. The committee moved, seconded and approved the appointment contingent on successful contract negotiations.
The superintendent recommended Cindy Maher as chief financial officer, citing "30 years of experience in public sector and school finance" including roles as assistant superintendent of finance and operations in Wellesley and Weston. The committee moved, seconded and approved that appointment pending contract terms.
Committee members praised the hires and asked that the administration integrate the entry-report priorities into upcoming budget and operational planning. The superintendent said the leadership team will start work on the five-year strategic plan this summer and present an initial plan to the committee next year.
