Lincoln School Committee moves to make Pod C renovation a condition of community center endorsement

LINCOLN -- September 7, 2023, Lincoln School Committee signals it won't endorse a community center option that defers Pod C renovation. In an informal poll Thursday, no member said they could support Option 3, the 50-percent design that builds new community center space in front of Pod C while leaving the LEAP after-school facility unrenovated. Member Susan Taylor will draft language for a vote ahead of the Sept. 30 State of the Town requiring that any endorsed plan include LEAP renovation and an adequate maintenance facility for the district shop now in Pod B. Facilities Director Brandon Kelly told members future stand-alone Pod C renovation is estimated above $4 million versus roughly $3 million if done concurrently, and described Option 3 as something he "can't pass." The committee also unanimously approved two school nurse hires, Amanda Jones at Hanscom and Kim Goldmacher at Lincoln, closed the FY20 Hartwell roof capital article, and heard new Superintendent Perry report Hanscom enrollment up roughly 44 students to 517.