This years annual 2026 Hopkinton Town Election features two contested races; Nasiba Mannan (Incumbent) & Dimitry Zuckerman are this years two Board of Health Candidates running for one open, 3-year seat. Running for two open, 3-year seats on the school committee are three candidates; Sravan Krishna, Sandra Irwin & Kyla McSweeney (Incumbent).
As we near the annual Hopkinton Town Election on Monday, May 18th we wanted to give the community one last opportunity to hear from the candidates in this years contested races. I recently sent all candidates in the two contested races four questions (candidates in each race received the same questions as opposing candidates in their race). We also gave the candidates the option to share their election profile picture & candidate statement if they wish. Below you can view Q&A and any submitted candidate statement and/or profile picture from the three candidates in this years race for the two open seats on the School Committee. The Board of Health Q&A online forum can be found here once it is posted to the public.
Our hope is that this online forum will give the community further valuable information about the candidates in this years contested races. Two other previous opportunities to hear from candidates in this years contested races included the annual Hopkinton Women’s Club Meet the Candidates Night & the HCAM Contested Races Debates. Board of Health candidate, Nasiba Mannan and all three School Committee candidates either attended or participated in some form for both events. We encourage the community to view the above programs for further valuable information about this years 2026 Hopkinton Town Election.
We also want to remind the community to tune in to the live HCAM election results show on Monday, May 18th starting at 8pm! The program will air live on HCAM-TV & our Youtube Channel and the final un-official election results will be revealed during the live broadcast!
Please note, all candidates were required to submit their responses to this online Q&A forum by today (Friday, May 15th) at Noon and once posted, this page may only be edited for fixes to formatting, inclusion of unseen previous material sent prior to the deadline and/or any correction needed to the stated information and details above this section. The below statements & answers were written by candidates in the 2026 Hopkinton Town Election and does not necessarily reflect the views of HCAM or any of their Board Members or Employees.
Kyla McSweeney (Incumbent) – Candidate for School Committee
1) Can you please describe what experience, skills or abilities you have that will benefit or be an asset to the School Committee?
I have spent my entire career in Education. I have a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education, with PK-3 certification and a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Policy in Early Education and Care where I was in a cohort with Elementary principals. I also have a law degree. I currently work for the Dept of Early Education and Care where I manage a grant that is awarded to 30 school districts across Massachusetts to expand access to preschool, improve the quality and curriculum in preschool classrooms and provide access to special education services for children regardless of where they attend preschool. Every day I work with Directors of Student Services, Superintendents and Early Childhood Directors about issues facing public school systems. My skills in grants and budget management, educational pedagogy and special education services are directly relative to the work I have done on the HPS School Committee for the past 2 years.
2) What are your thoughts about the performance of the Hopkinton School Committee over the past three years?
I feel that as a school committee we are collaborative. Although the five of us do not always agree on issues we are respectful and thoughtful. I am most proud of my work on the Superintendent Search Committee, Director of Student Service Search Committee and as a participant in other leader searches because I believe hiring administrators with the ideals that you wish to see in the Hopkinton Public Schools is the most important role of the school committee. I am also proud of the work we have done in supporting students of diverse backgrounds especially through upholding the diverse school calendar.
3) Please describe what you think the biggest obstacle will be for the School Committee over the next three years?
The town is expecting shortfalls in the next 2-3 years, at the same time we still have an increasing student population and we have a new school coming online. We will have to clearly state our priorities for the school budget and our need for support for the schools. To me that means investing in student-facing staff and programs first. Our school budget is lean due to our investment in students without a large number of administrators in the central office.
4) In your opinion, what do you believe defines a successful education in the Hopkinton public school system?
I believe that students are successful in Hopkinton when they get what they need to learn and thrive. This means different supports and programs depending on the child, from special education supports, to advanced placement courses, electives in art, music and engineering or support in English language learning. I truly believe in the HPS motto All means All.
Sandra Irwin – Candidate for School Committee
1) Can you please describe what experience, skills or abilities you have that will benefit or be an asset to the School Committee?
Professionally, my work closely mirrors the responsibilities of the School Committee: I lead strategic planning, manage complex budgets, and align diverse teams around shared priorities. I translate broad goals into clear, actionable plans, with a focus on the responsible use of resources and thoughtful, accountable decision-making.
2) What are your thoughts about the performance of the Hopkinton School Committee over the past three years?
In the last 3 years, the Hopkinton School Committee has done a strong job navigating a period of significant change. From leadership transitions and negotiating key roles like the superintendent position, to helping guide the path towards opening Charleswood School, the committee has managed major initiatives while continuing to support the schools.
At the same time, there are always opportunities to improve- particularly around communication, long-term planning, understanding what gaps there are, and ensuring decisions continue to reflect the evolving needs of our community.
3) Please describe what you think the biggest obstacle will be for the School Committee over the next three years?
The biggest challenge facing the School Committee over the next 3 years is balancing the evolving needs of the schools with the broader needs of the community. It’s easy to point only to rising school budgets, and while that is part of the conversation, I think the issue is bigger than any one number. It’s important that decision-making be guided by clear short, mid, and long-term goals so we are not only addressing immediate needs, but also building responsibly for years ahead.
More tangibly, the district will also be navigating the transition into Charleswood and the Hopkins addition, including moving students and administrators into a new environment while maintaining continuity and support for families and staff. That kind of transition requires thoughtful planning, communication, and collaboration.
4) In your opinion, what do you believe defines a successful education in the Hopkinton public school system?
I define a successful education as one that fosters critical thinking, helps students grow from their individual starting points, and equips them with the skills needed for their future lives and careers. It should build adaptable, well-rounded individuals who can problem-solve, continue learning throughout their lives, understand how to work with and learn from others, and contribute thoughtfully to their communities and society. Students should leave Hopkinton Public Schools feeling a sense of personal accomplishment, confidence, and that they traveled a path where they could thrive and feel connected.
Sravana Krishna – Candidate for School Committee
1) Can you please describe what experience, skills or abilities you have that will benefit or be an asset to the School Committee?
As a data-driven senior executive, I examine objective criteria for decision making. Here is my scorecard.
Education: Master’s in Computer Science, AI / Machine Learning specialization. Credentialed in AI.
Experience: 27 years in technology, in increasingly senior roles
Career Level: Vice President, enabling the strategic vision set by C-suite and Boards
Current Role: VP of Technology Infrastructure, Data Analytics, and AI. Own the tech infrastructure budget. Lead AI strategy across the company.
Town Service: Design Review Board, Zoning Advisory Committee, Economic Development Advisory Board
Student Service: Treasurer, Friends of SEPAC. Help administer 10 scholarships per year for graduating seniors with IEPs. Organize annual teacher appreciation awards.
Inclusion: Featured nationally in Washington Post, NPR, BBC, MSNBC, CBS News, and Inside Edition for years of inclusion advocacy.
As a senior executive, I partner with C-level executives to implement the vision set by Boards. That gives me a working knowledge of what effective Board governance and strategy look like. Closer to home, my service on town boards has given me real local governance experience. I have worked across multiple committees and with fellow volunteers to help pass important articles at Town Meeting. I have also shown that I will advocate for every child, with actions that are well documented, however difficult some had to be. Kindness shows up in actions for people who need support.
2) What are your thoughts about the performance of the Hopkinton School Committee over the past three years?
The current School Committee has done meaningful work, often in conditions that have not been easy. They have navigated post-pandemic recovery, tight budgets, and complex facilities decisions. Members bring different skills and experiences that come together to serve our students, and Hopkinton remains one of the strongest school districts in the Commonwealth. The opportunity now is to add distinct skills that complement what already exists, including perspectives that can represent the one-third of our student population not currently seated at this table.
I see an opportunity to add capacity in two areas as we look ahead. First, fiscal innovation. I bring senior enterprise-level budget perspectives, with the added lens of using AI to maximize returns on investments across the budget. Second, future readiness. Our students are graduating into a world reshaped by AI. This is not a novel concept. Massachusetts has established an AI Strategic Task Force, DESE has issued statewide K-12 AI guidance, and our neighbors in Holliston are already ahead with an AI Steering Committee of parents, students, and educators guiding their integration.
Those of us who lead in AI know that AI literacy and AI-infused learning are different challenges. I also hear loud and clear when parents tell me there is too much tech. Traditional pedagogy remains essential: reading a book, writing by hand, and solving math problems on paper. I enjoy working with my son on algebra. Even more important are the human skills AI cannot replicate: communication, collaboration, listening, persuasion and more. The Committee will benefit from a member who can call both the offense and defense plays the AI era demands. That is why my yard sign carries both a rocket and a treble clef. The rocket for AI and future readiness. The treble clef for arts, athletics, and the whole character development of every child. We can expand horizons without compromising the foundations.
I said in the debate that we have a fantastic School Committee. I believe that. The current members have been difference makers. I want to join them and bring the expertise this moment requires.
3) Please describe what you think the biggest obstacle will be for the School Committee over the next three years?
The biggest obstacle will be the budget. This is not unique to Hopkinton. School districts across America are facing the same compression: costs rising faster than revenue, state and federal aid uncertain, and growing demand for programs that serve every child.
When I look at obstacles, I look for solutions. I started on this one a long time ago. That is why I volunteered for the Economic Development Advisory Board, where we work to expand the town’s commercial and industrial tax base. A stronger non-residential tax base reduces the burden on households and creates capacity for the schools. That is the revenue side.
On the cost side, I have researched case studies of school districts that have leveraged technology to maximize returns on existing investments without cutting programs. I have also studied how districts are augmenting their academic offerings through community-driven pathways: partnerships with local employers, universities, and community organizations that expand opportunity without expanding the budget. Hopkinton is well-positioned for both.
Without solutions like these, parents could again face the kind of campaign they led in 2023 to stop cuts to special education funding. I want to be inside the room doing the work so they do not have to worry about that fight again. I will advocate for every child. I have been doing that. Real solutions for real opportunities, backed by actions.
4) In your opinion, what do you believe defines a successful education in the Hopkinton public school system?
This one is personal. It is personal to every family. Each family has its own definition of what success looks like for their child. Our schools succeed when we deliver on it.
In my work, I measure success the way a balanced scorecard does: from the stakeholders’ perspective. Children and parents are the stakeholders of our schools. I listen to them. Then I would ask the honest questions. Some look like this. Are we giving every child what they need to thrive in what comes next? Are we providing the differentiation each student needs to succeed on their own terms? Are we helping every child take advantage of their strengths? Are we giving each student the support they need?
If we can answer yes to those questions for every family in Hopkinton, we are successful. For every student. The student whose goal is to be at the top of the scoring percentiles. The student who wants to pursue athletics. The student who needs support to thrive. The student whose learning works best with differentiation. The student whose talent is in art, music, coding, or a workshop. Whether they are headed to Harvard, UMass, trade school, the military, or somewhere else, every one of them matters. Every one of them belongs. Every one of them deserves a path forward.
I want every family and every student in Hopkinton to feel that our schools exceeded their expectations. That is success, defined by them, delivered by our schools.
Kyla McSweeney Candidate Statement: My name is Kyla McSweeney, and I am running for reelection to the Hopkinton School Committee.My work on the School Committee has included:
— Co-chairing the Superintendent Search Committee, which resulted in the hiring of Superintendent Evan Bishop;
— Helping to set the agenda for School Committee meetings, which has resulted in the inclusion of various speakers;
— Serving on the director of student services search and participating in interviews for the CFO and Hopkinton High School principal positions;
— Soliciting feedback from diverse members of the community to assist the School Committee in voting on the school calendar;
— Organizing a workshop on evaluating the superintendent;
— Working closely with Superintendent Bishop on issues the schools are facing, providing input and thoughtful dialogue;
— Participating in an exercise hosted by the I Love U Guys Foundation in collaboration with Hopkinton Police and Fire Departments to increase our capacity to keep Hopkinton Schools safe.
I truly embrace the motto of the Hopkinton Public Schools: All means All. I show up to support the dedicated educators, administrators and staff of HPS. I attend a variety of school and community events that represent the diversity of our community.
I truly embrace the motto of the HPS, All means All. I show up to support the dedicated educators, administrators and staff of HPS. I attend a variety of school and community events that represent the diversity of our community such as
- The Hopkinton Chinese American Association’s Lunar New Year Gala
- The Hopkinton Muslim Student Association’s Iftar Night
- Senior Capstone Project Fair
- High School Honor Societies Ceremony
- High School plays and musicals
- Unified Sports Basketball Game
- SEPAC Back to School Family Breakfast, festivals and meetings
- Graduation
- Charleswood Groundbreaking and Topping off ceremonies
- Diwali Gala sponsored by SACH
I hope to continue my time on the Hopkinton School Committee to further ensure that Hopkinton schools retain their excellence, which I believe is a result of supporting and investing in our educators, communicating and involving families, and inspiring the curiosity and innovation of our students.
Sravana Krishna Candidate Statement: My family moved to Hopkinton for one reason: the schools. I want to make them even better.
Vidya dhanam sarva dhana pradhanam. Sanskrit for: knowledge is the highest wealth. Education is the greatest wealth we can give our children.
I have studied proven pathway models in Medical and Business from other districts. With my AI expertise, I can extend that to an AI pathway too, all built here and powered by our community: parents as mentors, businesses as potential sponsors, families as the driving force.
Compliance is the floor, not the ceiling. Every special education child deserves a strengths-based pathway that identifies what they are brilliant at and builds their journey forward, with access to the same opportunities as every other child.
Children deserve all the support they need so they do not treat every exam as a pressure test. If they do not meet their goals, the schools provide the support to close the gap so they can try again. Doing your best today is enough. The outcomes will come.
Hopkinton’s student population is 32% Asian, with zero representation on this committee. Those cultural perspectives would complement what already exists.
I listen to families, teachers, and students. I would bring 27 years of experience formulating strategies to find solutions that work for them. Then I would see them through.
Our conscience would tell us that the candidate with stronger qualifications and a proven track record is best for our children. That is what this is about. Children. Schools. I urge you to look at the data and listen to your conscience.
We work hard for our tax dollars. A proven track record maximizes the return.
I would be honored to earn your vote.