Lincoln School Committee cancels April vacation, sets June 10 and June 12 end dates

LINCOLN -- April 9, 2020, Lincoln cancels April vacation by unanimous vote after 80 percent of surveyed families and faculty back the change. The School Committee voted Thursday to turn April 21-24 into school days, ending the year June 10 at Hanscom and June 12 in Lincoln, after Superintendent Becky McFall presented results from surveys of 555 families and 135 faculty. The committee also unanimously accepted $13,521.52 in donations to the meal-assistance program, which serves 54 people twice weekly at about $1,250 a week; Administrator for Business and Finance Buck Creel said totals have since reached roughly $15,000 against 14 to 15 remaining weeks of need. Assistant Superintendent Jess Rose said students will not receive grades and will not repeat a grade. Director of Technology Rob Ford reported 205 Chromebooks and iPads distributed and 426 help-desk tickets cleared in a week. Member Peter Borden called it "pretty clear" the district had to act, saying it "would be a little insane" to keep the vacation alone among peer districts.