Meeting Tonight- Feasibility Study Update

As we continue down the path of exploring consolidation options in Hopewell there is another Board meeting set for tonight to discuss the options. All we can say is this, if you care to have an opinion then do your due diligence, show up to meetings, ask questions and explore the impact this will have on the community for yourself.

So far we have heard the efficiency reasons behind the needed consolidation as Hopewell is shrinking in numbers and we have too much “space” in schools that goes under utilized, we have also heard initial cost estimates for the consolidation and options have been presented as to how we could consolidate.

As consolidation becomes a more realized venture other questions will start to rise to the top of the list like;

1. What impact will this have on the community itself?

2. What are  the efficiency gains expected related to reducing the number of buildings we are using vs. the cost of building and renovations?

3. How much money does this save the town of Hopewell, is the savings worth the downsides of the consolidation?

4. How many teachers/paras/admins will lose their jobs, if any? – is this the efficiency savings?

5. What happens to ancillary facilities like all of our sports fields supported by the schools closing?

6. What will become of the dilapidated buildings that remain unused?

There are a lot of remaining questions and way more then we can list here that we have heard emerging from the community and we will continue to follow this story closely from a  neutral perspective to keep the HSN fan base updated on its status, it’s up to the town to decide for itself if this is the best path for Hopewell. One thing is for sure, we all want what’s best for Hopewell, the Community and most importantly its Children.

Have a voice, be heard and ask questions today not tomorrow.

Email from Hopewell Area School District:

June 10, 2024

Hopewell Area SD Families,

Good evening. I trust this message finds you and your family well as we are early into summer break.

This email is a reminder to HASD families that tomorrow’s (Tuesday) June 11, 2024 public School Board meeting will take place in the Hopewell Senior High School auditorium beginning at 7PM. Architectural firm DRAW Collective will be making a final presentation on school-facility options at the meeting. No final Board decisions or actions will take place pertaining to the future of Hopewell schools at the meeting.

DRAW Collective’s slideshow presentation will be uploaded to the district’s www.hopewellarea.org website under “2024 Facility Master Planning Process” as it becomes available prior to tomorrow’s meeting. After selecting the “2024 Facility Master Planning Process” menu item from the website, scroll to the very bottom of the page to view the June 11, 2024meeting information. As a reminder, DRAW’s presentation will be recorded and uploaded to this same website location after the meeting.

Thank you,

Jeff Beltz

Superintendent