HOPKINTON — The School Committee opted to go in-house to hire its next superintendent, unanimously selecting Hopkinton High School Principal Evan Bishop on Thursday to replace the retiring Carol Cavanaugh.
Bishop was chosen by the School Committee over South Hadley Superintendent of Schools Mark McLaughlin. A third finalist for the job — Ross Mulkerin, director of finance and operations for the Nashoba Regional School District — had previously withdrawn from consideration.
Bishop told the Daily News on Friday that he was grateful for the opportunity to lead Hopkinton Public Schools.
“I’m looking forward to working alongside our dedicated students, staff and community,” he said. Bishop takes over on July 1, the start of the 2025-26 school year.
Bishop said top items on his to-do list include meeting with stakeholders to figure out the schools’ strengths and needs, as well as building relationships at all levels.
“I’m proud to take on the role,” he said.
Bishop has been with Hopkinton Public Schools since 2005. He was a school counselor and assistant principal until becoming Hopkinton High School principal in 2013.
Bishop holds a master’s degree in school counseling from Suffolk University, and a bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University. He received his principal’s license from Boston University and earned his superintendent’s license in 2017.
Bishop inherits a high-performing district, new school construction
Bishop will succeed Cavanaugh, who has been with Hokinton Public Schools for nearly nine years, starting as an assistant superintendent in June 2016; she was named superintendent in March 2018.
Bishop will inherit a number of projects underway for Hopkinton schools, including construction of the Charleswood School, set to replace the Elmwood School. The Charleswood school is set to open in either 2027 or 2028.
He also inherits a school district that consistently ranks among the best in the state. Under Bishop’s tenure, Hopkinton High School ranked seventh in last year’s U.S. News and World Report’s list of top 10 public high schools in Massachusetts.
The school district has experienced rapid growth in recent years. In 2024, Hopkinton Public Schools enrolled 4,187 students in grades pre-K through high school, up more than 20% from the 3,463 students enrolled when Cavanaugh started in 2016.
Bishop, whose transition to superintendent is pending successful contract negotiations, said a posting for the Hopkinton High principal job will go live as soon as possible.