After a decade of dedicated service, Tom Quinn, director of facilities for the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, retired on Dec 1.
Quinn, who joined the district in August 2015, leaves behind a record of strong leadership, foresight, and commitment to improving both the efficiency and environment of Hopewell Valley’s schools.
Throughout his tenure, Quinn was known for his tireless work ethic. He approached every challenge with a practical and forward-thinking mindset that balanced fiscal responsibility with a genuine care for students and staff. He often said he felt a fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers and took that stewardship seriously, believing it was his duty to “take care of stuff and maintain it.”
Known for his collaborative spirit and his willingness to support new ideas, Tom always tried to say “yes” to any reasonable request that could enhance the student experience or strengthen district operations. His favorite part of the job was solving problems and finding new ways to make the buildings more efficient, a passion that defined his approach to facilities management.
His leadership transformed the district’s facilities department into a strong, capable team that handled most maintenance and repairs internally. That shift reduced dependence on outside contractors and saved taxpayer dollars.
Former board of education member Adam Sawicki, who chaired the finance and facilities committee for years, noted Quinn’s steady guidance and clear communication. “Tom’s updates and presentations were instrumental in keeping the board well informed,” he said. “He focused on building the department’s internal capabilities and prioritized preventive maintenance and timely replacement of critical systems, which helped the district avoid major disruptions and unexpected expenses.”
Under Quinn’s leadership, the district made significant strides in both air quality and energy efficiency. The 2017 facilities referendum included important HVAC upgrades. From adding air conditioning to older buildings that had never been cooled before, to improving ventilation and air quality throughout the district, that work proved invaluable when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
In conjunction with those projects, Quinn worked closely with my team at Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space to help install outdoor classrooms at every school. That collaboration stemmed from community efforts supported through corporate and nonprofit grants. The timing proved fortuitous: when Covid hit, those outdoor learning spaces, combined with improved indoor ventilation, allowed Hopewell Valley students to return to in-person learning earlier than many neighboring districts.
Being outdoors is proven to improve physical and mental health, and the district’s outdoor classrooms and native meadows have been recognized as best practices throughout the state.
Quinn spent years identifying aging infrastructure and developing solutions that would make the district’s operations more efficient and sustainable. The district’s most recent 2025 referendum includes projects that advance his legacy.
For example, replacing boilers based on early 20th-century technology with modern, high-efficiency models is projected to reduce gas consumption by up to 40 percent, while modernizing air-conditioning systems will improve reliability and ease of maintenance.
Last winter, the district conducted a comparative analysis. Quinn’s team installed a new boiler at Hopewell Elementary School while Toll Gate Grammar School continued operating its older steam-based system. Despite the fact that Hopewell Elementary is 85,000 square feet and Toll Gate is 49,000 square feet, Hopewell Elementary used less natural gas.
“It’s difficult to compare energy use from one winter to another because weather patterns vary,” Quinn explained. “However, comparing buildings in the same season under similar conditions provides clear evidence of the new boilers’ performance gains. Under the latest referendum, we’ll update Toll Gate’s boiler as well.”
At Bear Tavern Elementary School, aging Panasonic HVAC units left 16 classrooms without functioning air conditioning after the manufacturer discontinued support. As part of the 2025 referendum, Quinn proposed a new system with individualized units for each classroom, ensuring that future maintenance issues would affect only a single room rather than multiple learning spaces. His practical, forward-looking approach exemplifies the kind of problem-solving that defined his tenure.
A legacy of responsibility and care
Together, these efforts, from the 2017 and 2025 referendums to district-wide maintenance initiatives, reflect Quinn’s commitment to environmental responsibility, operational efficiency, and student well-being. His work improved air quality, reduced energy costs, and created more resilient facilities that will serve the community for years to come.
Tom Quinn’s retirement marks the conclusion of a decade of steady, thoughtful leadership. His vision extended well beyond equipment and systems. It was about creating an environment where students could learn comfortably, teachers could focus on instruction, and the district may better steward taxpayer resources.
His legacy is visible in every classroom, every mechanical room, and every student’s experience of a better, healthier place to learn.