About Us
Educate Hopkinton Mission Statement
Educate Hopkinton's goal is to keep people up-to-date on the budget process and the Town's financial needs.
Educate Hopkinton Board of Directors:
Amy Ritterbusch, 54 Grove Street, Hopkinton MA 01748, President, amyritterbusch@educatehopkinton.com
Tara Sanda, 4 Equestrian Drive, Hopkinton MA 01748, Treasurer, tarasanda@educatehopkinton.com
Erin Graziano, 13 Valentine Road, Hopkinton MA 01748, Clerk/Secretary, eringraziano@educatehopkinton.com
Kristy Willadsen, 10 Cobblers Way, Hopkinton MA 01748, Clerk/Secretary, kristywilladsen@educatehopkinton.com
Cindy Bernardo, 5 Susan Drive, Hopkinton MA 01748, Board Member, cindybernardo@educatehopkinton.com
Jon Graziano, 13 Valentine Road, Hopkinton MA 01748, Board Member, jongraziano@educatehopkinton.com
Esther Driscoll, 24 Appaloosa Circle, Hopkinton MA 01748, Board Member, estherdriscoll@educatehopkinton.com
Liaison for Library/Building Committee (Not a Director)
Laura Barry, 7 Nicholas Road, Hopkinton MA 01748, Liaison for Library/Building Committee, laurabarry@educatehopkinton.com
Educate Hopkinton Membership
Membership is currently free and the only requirements are that you subscribe to our email list and you are resident of Hopkinton. Membership entitles you to vote at our Annual Meeting on the new slate of Board Members. Members are welcome (but not required) to attend board meetings, serve on a committee or run for a board position. To become a member click the following link, supply your full name and Hopkinton street address and check the box for “Educate Hopkinton Member.” If you are not sure if you'd like to become a member yet, check the box for "Email Subscription Only." You can change your subscription or unsubscribe at any time.
Click Here to Become a Member Today!
Board Meetings and Minutes
Board Meeting dates are posted to the Educate Hopkinton online calendar. Click here to view the Calendar to see Board Meeting dates. All members are welcome to attend, please contact Erin Graziano with any questions about meeting dates, times and locations.
Once approved, Board Meeting Minutes are posted to our Google Filing Cabinet. Click here to view Board Meeting Minutes.
Introduction and Background
Over the past twenty years, mechanisms for supporting public school and town budgets have decentralized, shifting more and more decision making to the general public. With Proposition 2 1/2, passed in 1980, towns can raise property taxes no more than 2 1/2% without the approval of the voters. This means that an active, informed public, involved in resource decision-making, is more important than ever before.
Recognizing that it is impossible for every citizen to become fully informed on every issue, Educate Hopkinton (EH) was created in 2007 to provide accurate, timely, and relevant information - easily accessible - to help Hopkinton voters understand town and school budget-related issues and make informed choices.
In June 2011, EH applied for 501(c)(4) status with the IRS. We are waiting for approval from the IRS. We are not yet confirmed as a 501(c)4.
Guiding Principles
- EH should stay in front of the issues, providing guidance and advice to elected boards and commissions about potential overrides or other resource issues.
- It is critical that EH maintain a reputation of professionalism and accuracy in all information and activities.
- To be an effective organization, EH must remain fluid and dynamic, able to respond to issues and needs quickly.
- EH will maintain the basic structures necessary for effective override or other voter campaigns-e.g. database, website, preparation of literature and data.
- EH will support and advise override campaigns for town and school building and budget-related issues as appropriate.
- An ideal Board of Directors includes people with a variety of skills, affiliations, and knowledge. Skills include; strategic planning, marketing, database management, website development, technical writing, public relations writing, volunteer coordination, finance/ bookkeeping and more. Affiliations include HPTA Board Members, former Ballot Question Committee chairs, and more. Knowledge includes school administration, school curriculum, politics, law, and more.
- Expediency is important to the effectiveness of EH; when possible decisions and positions will be adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors. When issues of expediency outweigh the needs for full participation, the decision maker will make every effort to consult with the Board by email.
Educate Hopkinton By-Laws
Adopted at the Educate Hopkinton Board Meeting on July 13, 2011.
 Educate Hopkinton By-Laws
Educate Hopkinton Candidate Endorsement Policy
The primary mission of Educate Hopkinton (EH) is community education on funding and policy issues pertaining to the Town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts including the Hopkinton Public Schools. Hence, EH will strive to provide voters with accurate and detailed information on candidates running for state and local office, with a focus on each candidate's position on both town and school-related issues.
It is EH policy not to endorse candidates for public office. EH Directors are at liberty, however, to endorse candidates independently.
When EH collects information from candidates for voter education purposes, EH may add editorial comments to clarify candidate claims or statements that EH deems to be deceptive or misleading, or that require further explanation.
When a EH Director is running for public office, EH will make voters aware of said member's candidacy, and will highlight how the candidate has contributed to EH. Committee members may endorse their colleague's candidacy as individuals, but EH will abide by its non-endorsement policy.
For more information:
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