Civic Group Aims To Step Up Its Activities

Educate Hopkinton a civic group “whose goal is to keep people up-to-date on the budget process and the town's financial needs,” has decided to formalize its structure.

In a press release, Amy Ritterbusch, the group’s president, said Educate Hopkinton has been limited by its lack of funding and formal leadership, and decided to step up its activities following the failure of  a vote for a proposed new elementary school.

The release says the groups goals are to:

1. Encourage townwide participation in finding a solution to the Center School problem;

2. Discuss longer elementary-school grade spans;

3. Examine the possibilities for Center School if it is not used as a school;

4. Broaden a discussion about the Hopkinton Public Library. The library is expected to hear from the state in July whether it will receive a grant to pay for part of its expansion. The remainder of the cost, estimated at $5,000, would have to be approved by voters.

5. Educate Hopkinton is also hosting two forums by new Schools Superintendent Jonathan Landman, one from 6 to 8 p.m. on  Thursday, July 7, at the Central Office Conference Room, 89 Hayden Rowe St., and another from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, July 11, at the Hopkins School Library.

The group has applied for 501(c)(4) status, which would allow it to formally organize, lobby, solicit and accept donations, participate in civic activities and receive some federal tax exemptions.

501(c)(4) groups are allowed to take part in political campaigns and elections as long as campaigning is not their primary purpose.

“We have relied heavily on email, social media and the internet, but this year we would like to host coffees and information sessions, as well as publish brochures and mailers to help keep residents informed,” Ritterbusch said. 

Educate Hopkinton was started in 2007. It was organized by an informal steering committee and operates a website and email list.

Since 2007, the group has grown from 80 email subscribers to more than 440, the release said.

Email subscriptions are free and available to all Hopkinton residents and business owners.

The group talked about formally organizing last summer, Ritterbusch said. 

“But many of us were busy with other organizations in town and didn’t find the time to follow through with the paperwork," she said.

Besides Ritterbusch, Educate Hopkinton’s Board of Directors includes Tara Sanda (Treasurer), Erin Graziano (Clerk), Kristy Willadsen (Clerk), Cindy Bernardo, Jon Graziano and Laura Barry.

Ritterbusch said the group loosely based its structure on Citizens for Needham Schools. Educate Hopkinton hopes to complete work on its bylaws before school starts in the fall, she said.