Lincoln School Committee adopts pandemic policy, accepts $10,000 gift in season opener

LINCOLN -- September 9, 2021, Lincoln School Committee opens 2021-22 with vaccine mandate, $10,000 gift and a mental health alarm. Chair Tara Mitchell welcomed new member Jen James, appointed by joint vote with the Select Board to replace Trinchy Nazo, and named Susan Taylor vice chair through March. Superintendent Becky McFall reported the Board of Health had voted the night before to require all school employees to be vaccinated by Oct. 15 and to participate in district pool testing, which launched its first round Wednesday with participation as high as 89 percent at Lincoln School grades 5-8. "COVID is not behind us. In fact, it's right in front of us," McFall said. Member Susan Taylor relayed an Outreach Roundtable warning that one local high school reported 40 percent of students seeking mental health services. The committee unanimously accepted a $10,000 anonymous donation to the Lincoln School Tree Fund and adopted policy BPR, the pandemic response policy, on second read after adding the Lincoln Board of Health to the authorities the district will follow. Member Adam Hogue reported approving $10,045,046.14 in summer warrants.