School Committee Splits Interim Superintendent Vote

Hires Steven Hiersche

by Muriel Kramer

July 19, 2012 — The School Committee voted last night to hire Steven Hiersche as interim superintendent for the coming year pending successful contract negotiations; the vote was 3 in favor and 2 opposed. At its last meeting the Committee had decided to move 1 finalist forward in the process, Steven Hiersche, and has since conducted extensive reference checks.

Rebecca Robak began the discussion by citing the favorable references received. She added, “I think he has a lot of favorable experience regarding our goals.” In particular she highlighted his experience with contract negotiations, with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process and with the new supervision and assessment standard that is to be implemented this year in Hopkinton.

Scott Aghababian, School Committee Vice-Chair, agreed that no issues came up on the references. “I just don’t feel a great connection from a vision standpoint. But we’re looking for someone to help us carry the ball for the next year.”

Jon Graziano spoke specifically to having concerns. “He has a lot of the experience we are looking for. The need for long term vision is muted by the one year circumstance we are facing.” He then spoke to concerns that the process as designed might have limited the pool of candidates. “I wonder if it’s the process that kept us from getting the candidate I envisioned. While he may be the best candidate of who we have in front of us, he might not be the best candidate. I remain unconvinced we have the right candidate.”

Jean Bertschmann spoke in Hiersche’s favor. She focused on Hiersche’s experience and skill with the budget process and his ability to build strong relationships with colleagues working in Town Hall. According to Bertschmann, Hiersche has experience and has been successful working in towns, Watertown and Framingham as examples, where the environment has been politically divisive and difficult.

Nancy Alvarez Burdick, School Committee Chairman, indicated that she was unsettled by the discussion so far and stated, “I’m not sure he’s the right person for our community right now.” She continued, “The thing that sticks out in my mind is while there is consistent mention of communication [in the references], it’s not consistently positive.” She added that she also had read that he had come into towns at politically charged or divided times but had noted no miraculous transformation for those towns. She continued by mentioning that there were other processes that could be followed to find candidates.

Robak spoke to the process, “I would be very uncomfortable moving forward with a process that’s less public and transparent. We have a good candidate with good references. This is an interim position, and we need someone quickly. Maybe this isn’t the perfect person given where we are today…but he is qualified.”

Robak made the motion to offer the position to Hiersche, and it was seconded by Bertschmann; Aghababian was the third vote in favor, with Alvarez Burdick and Graziano voting no.

READ THE FULL REPORT

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For Hopkinton Residents ONLY

The Town of Hopkinton Department of Public Works

Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day

Saturday, August 4, 2012

8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

At the Highway Garage, 83 Wood Street

Click on graphic to see list of Guidelines

Enter Stage Left’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. July 27

HOPKINTON, MA (July 16, 2012) -- Enter Stage Left Theater will be presenting Alice in Wonderland Jr., a production featuring summer workshop participants from grades 1 to 8, at the Hopkinton Middle School on Friday, July 27 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 or $5 for HCA Stage Door members, and seniors, and are available at the door or at www.enterstagelefttheater.org.
        “This family-friendly event is a great time for both the audience and cast,” said Kelly Grill, executive director of the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. “It is always fun to see how much talent and enthusiasm these young actors bring to their performances, and how much they’ve learned in their summer workshop.”

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Monica E. Morgan, 61

Monica E. Morgan, 61, of Hopkinton, died peacefully surrounded by her loved ones after a brief illness, on Sunday July 15, 2012 at the Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham. Born in Needham, she was the daughter of the late Annelies (Kuster) and John Vincent Mulherin.

Monica owned and operated the Golden Spoon Restaurant in Hopkinton, where she had worked with her husband since 2001. She is survived by her husband, William W. Morgan of Hopkinton; two children, Will Morgan of Boston, and Elizabeth Ashley and her husband Michael of Germantown, Maryland; a sister, Mary Ann Favier of Sebastian, FL; mother-in-law, Eleanor Morgan of Marshfield; 2 nephews, Terry Favier and his wife Dawn and Jason Favier and his wife Miyoko, as well as several great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 from 4-8 p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe St. A mass of Christian burial will take place on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Matthew's Church of Southborough, followed by burial at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Hopkinton.

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Roadwork is now scheduled to begin on Tuesday July 17^th on the following streets.

Hayden Rowe St- From Chestnut St to College St. Tuesday & Wednesday.

Grove St – From Main St to just past Leonard St. Thursday & Friday.

Walcott St – From A St to C St. Thursday or Friday.

These sections of road will be milled so the roads will have a “grooved” surface until the asphalt is applied so please slow and use caution.

During the week of July 23^rd these roads will have crews working adjusting manholes, catchbasins, watergates and gas gates. Some curb repair will also happen during this week. As soon as all of this work is completed the contractor will apply the riding course of asphalt.

Work hours on Hayden Rowe St and Grove St will be 9am–3pm. Walcott St will be approximately 7am-4pm.

Sincerely, Mike Mansir, Highway Manager

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Frederick B. Darney, 74

Frederick B. Darney, 74, of Hopkinton, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at the summer home in South Yarmouth. Born in Milford, he was the son of the late Imelda (Turcotte) and Charles Darney. He was the husband of Sandra E. (Demerjian) Darney of Hopkinton.

After graduating St. Mary’s High School in Milford in 1955, he attended The College of the Holy Cross and graduated in 1959 with a degree in marketing. Frederick was an Air Force Veteran who served in Germany during the Berlin Crisis.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Stephen C. Darney and his wife Kathy of Thomaston, Maine and their children, Kalen, Stephen Conor; a daughter, Sarah Fox and her husband Philip of Franklin and their children William and Anya. He also leaves behind a sister, Mary Rowell of Yarmouth Port.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 16, 2012 from 5-7p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. A funeral mass will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 17th at St. John’s Church in Hopkinton. Committal services will take place on Wednesday at 12:45 in Bourne National Cemetery. Donations may be made to Friends of the Hopkinton Seniors, 28 Mayhew St. Hopkinton, MA. 01748.