Lincoln School Committee tables superintendent evaluation, demands explicit gap-closure targets

LINCOLN -- November 4, 2021, Lincoln School Committee tables superintendent evaluation plan, demanding explicit achievement-gap targets. Members refused to second Chair Tara Mitchell's motion to approve Superintendent Becky McFall's 2021-2022 evaluation, saying it lacked measurable goals for closing persistent gaps for Black students. "Whatever we've been doing, I'll be frank, is not working," member Jen James said. Member Adam Ho pushed for stated yearly targets; METCO Representative Kim Mack called the gaps "systemic in nature" and said delay harms children of color now. Assistant Superintendent Jess Rose reported 61 percent of students met or exceeded ELA expectations, 48 percent in math, and that Lincoln's math student growth percentile fell just 3.5 points against a statewide drop of 19.5. The committee unanimously approved Lincoln K-4 and 5-8 school improvement plans and a warrants package totaling $1,259,724.42.