Hopkinton School Committee votes not to participate in state school choice program

The Hopkinton School Committee voted unanimously Thursday to decline participation in the Massachusetts school choice program for the 2025–26 school year.

School committee members said the district’s sustained enrollment growth and constrained building capacity left no room to accept out-of-district students. The committee’s motion to “not approve school choice because of population problems” passed with members answering “Aye.”

The item was introduced during a public hearing on school choice. A staff member presenting the program explained that districts must vote by June 1 to accept or decline school choice, and that whatever decision is made must be reported to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The presenter said districts that opt in can set a cap on the number of incoming students and can limit participation to specific grade bands; for example, if a district admits a first‑grade student in a K–8 program it must allow that student to continue through eighth grade.

Committee members asked whether neighboring districts had spare capacity; Holliston and Mendon‑Upton were mentioned as nearby districts that participate in school choice. The presenter and members said Hopkinton’s buildings are already near capacity and that taking additional students would not be financially beneficial given current space constraints.

After closing the public hearing, committee member Jamie moved to decline participation and Susan Rothermich seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The committee did not adopt additional conditions or caps in the motion; the vote as recorded is a decision not to participate in school choice for the 2025–26 school year.

The committee record notes that the decision must be reported to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; no further administrative directions were recorded during the meeting about reporting steps or future reconsideration timing.