Lincoln School Committee approves long-term electricity and gas contracts, $819,000 capital request

LINCOLN -- September 23, 2014, Lincoln School Committee locks in multi-year utility contracts and advances $819,000 capital ask. The committee on Sept. 23 authorized Business and Finance Administrator Buck Creole to enter Power Options collaborative contracts with Direct Energy for up to two years of electricity and four years of natural gas, citing a 5 percent spread between 12- and 48-month gas pricing at "historic lows." Members approved warrants totaling $846,213.94 and Superintendent Becky McFall's annual plan, which establishes a K-8 ELA and math assessment map using Fountas and Pinnell, Star Math, and MCAS growth measures. A draft fiscal 2016 capital list, including Brooks smokestack replacement, asphalt shingle work on the Link and kindergarten roofs, and Reed gym wall panel design, will be submitted to Capital Planning. The committee deferred action on the EDCO articles of agreement pending an Oct. 9 visit from Executive Director Colleen Dolan and honored retiring staff member Donna Furman and outgoing member Tom Sander.