Lincoln School Committee Votes to Place Building Project on Annual Town Warrant

LINCOLN -- January 21, 2016, Lincoln School Committee unanimously backs new math curriculum and school building warrant articles. The committee voted Thursday to place two articles on the 2016 annual town meeting warrant: one asking voters to support a new Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and a second asking whether to redirect $750,000 in previously appropriated funds for a locally funded feasibility study if the MSBA path is rejected. Administrator for Business and Finance Buck Creel warned that each year of delay adds roughly $900,000 to a project estimated near $30 million, projecting a move-in date of September 2021 under the MSBA route. The committee also heard a recommendation from K-5 math content specialist Kathy McConnell to adopt Everyday Math 4 for grades one through five beginning in fall 2016, replacing a years-long patchwork curriculum assembled after the 2012 edition proved only partially aligned to Common Core standards, a transition McConnell described as cost-neutral, save for two to three thousand dollars in supplemental materials. Finance warrants totaling $1,640,342.68 were accepted unanimously.