A member of the Hopkinton school board resigned at the beginning of April, and he’s already been replaced by an also-ran from the town’s March election.
Bill Chapin Jr., who was in the tail end of his second term as a board member, tendered his resignation in a letter at the April 4 school board meeting, citing family commitments and a lack of desire to run for a third term. His resignation was effective immediately.
Chapin served as the liaison between the budget committee and the school board during budget discussions and would have been up for re-election next March.
He said last week that he left because he knew he was not going to run for a third term due to family commitments, and he wanted to give a chance to someone else who was passionate about the position. Three candidates ran for two school board positions this March, and Chapin said he was struck by the passion and interest he saw in Aviva Nestler, who did not win a seat and ultimately took his seat on April 18.
“When you have someone who is smart, willing to learn and intelligent, you have to take notice,” he said of Nestler.
Chapin also said it was important to step back and give someone who was interested in the role a chance to get acquainted with school board responsibilities. He said the board will be facing the challenges of rising enrollment and population, as well as the possibility of a major facilities overhaul in the district.
Chapin stressed that his departure from the select board, while sudden, was amicable.
“I loved being on the school board – we got a lot of good work done,” he said.
Chapin also praised the collaboration between the school board and the budget committee during the most recent budget discussions.
“I really feel like there wasn’t two camps there,” he said. “Everyone was working together for the good of the town.”
Nestler’s term will expire next March.
(Caitlin Andrews can be reached at 369-3309, candrews@cmonitor.com or on Twitter at @ActualCAndrews.)