Lincoln-Sudbury committee approves FY26 budget and adopts tailings statute

SUDBURY — February 11, 2025 — Lincoln-Sudbury approves FY26 budget and adopts state tailings statute amid federal funding uncertainty. The Regional School Committee voted 6-0 to approve the fiscal 2026 budget, the 2025-2026 Program of Studies, and the adoption of MGL Chapter 200A, Section 9A governing abandoned funds. Director of Finance and Operations Kirsteen Patterson reported the district's excess and deficiency fund was certified at $1,093,627, or 2.9 percent, and mapped roughly $400,000 in direct federal grant exposure — about $64,000 in ESSA grants and $383,000 in IDEA — none currently affected by the rescinded Jan. 27 OMB freeze memo. Chair Ravi Simon led an extended response to an antisemitic submission to an LSPO volunteer sign-up form, calling for written communications protocols and a refresh of the committee's non-discrimination statement. "Incidents like these create an atmosphere of anxiety for Jewish students and families and contribute to our dehumanization," Simon said. Superintendent Andrew Stephens acknowledged a communication gap and said he offered "really no excuses."