LS School Committee receives equity survey, FY26 budget calendar, enters executive session

SUDBURY -- October 8, 2024, Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee receives equity survey, FY26 budget calendar before bargaining executive session. Administrator Emerita Sandy Crawford reported that 83 percent of students agreed a caring adult at LS knows them well, a five-point year-over-year gain and the survey's largest, but only about half said they feel comfortable asking staff for emotional support. Member Kevin Matthews called the gap "stunning," and Crawford agreed the data shows "we're not there yet" on deeper connection. Director of Finance Kirsteen Patterson reported an Excess and Deficiency figure of $1,097,835 and explained that 3.8 FTE / $387,320 in IDEA-grant salaries cannot be charged until DESE approves the application through its new GEM portal. The committee voted 5-0 to enter executive session for collective bargaining with the teachers' association and adjourned at 8:04 p.m.