Lincoln schools return $653,000 to town after fiscal 2023 personnel savings

LINCOLN — October 19, 2023 — Lincoln School Committee reviews $653,000 fiscal 2023 return and advances responsive classroom work. Administrator for Business and Finance Mary Ellen Norman told the committee Oct. 19 that personnel savings — maternity leaves, late hiring and unfilled positions — drove most of the return, while Medicaid revenue fell to $58,000 from the prior year's $82,000 spike. Assistant Superintendent Torrence Lewis and Administrator of Student Services Lisa Brock reported roughly 95 percent of staff are now trained in responsive classroom, with spring Panorama data showing belonging scores Lewis called "low, not exceptionally low" in grades 6-8. Brock said the district is not ready for full restorative practices, warning "you run a risk if you implement what you call restorative practices and you don't do it well." Director of Educational Operations Rob Ford said pulse-check surveys will shift to bi-monthly after last year's monthly cadence felt "relentless," following more than 200 follow-up staff conversations. The committee approved Oct. 17 warrants totaling about $1,308,100 and adjourned at 7:52 p.m.