The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

My Turn

My Turn: Unraveling the Hanscom misallocation

By David Cuetos

(Editor’s note: A slightly different version of this piece was posted last week in LincolnTalk by Cuetos, who asked that this revised version be published in the Lincoln Squirrel. The Squirrel has contacted members of the Finance Committee and School Committee, and at least one response will be forthcoming.

Cuetos will host a Zoom meeting on this issue on Sunday, March 8 at 7:00pm “to review the facts, explain how the issue developed, and answer questions from residents.”)

The Hanscom School operates under a contract that the town, as the operator, enters into with the Department of Defense. Lincoln taxpayer funds were systematically used to cover Hanscom school benefits and administrative costs that should have been paid with Department of Defense funds. By the later years of the FY21 to FY25 contract cycle, the annual impact of these misallocated charges had reached roughly $500,000.

I first raised the issue with town administration, the finance director, and the Finance Committee in 2022. Despite repeated follow up requests, no investigation began for nearly two years, even though those offices had direct access to the financial data and accounting systems needed to resolve the matter. The issue remained unexamined until 2024, when an audit initiated by the former School Committee chair was concluded and a working group was tasked to investigate the misallocated amounts. A sum of $2,045,000 in misallocated Hanscom expenses was confirmed for FY21 to FY25. The working group was not permitted to review earlier years, even though prior contracts operated under the same full cost reimbursement structure and used the same accounting methodology, which strongly suggests that similar misallocations likely occurred before FY21.

The confirmed expenses had been charged to Lincoln’s general fund instead of the Hanscom reserve, the dedicated account intended to cover Hanscom related costs. Correcting this is procedurally simple. These costs are legitimate Hanscom expenses that can be reimbursed to the general fund through a School Committee vote authorizing a transfer from the Hanscom reserve.

This process has been used twice already. An initial action reimbursed approximately $65,000 for split healthcare benefits. In June 2025, following executive session deliberations, the School Committee approved an additional reimbursement of about $495,000. In total, roughly $560,000 has been returned to taxpayers. This represents 27% of the confirmed FY21 to FY25 misallocated amount, leaving approximately $1,485,000 unreimbursed and any pre-FY21 amounts entirely unexamined.

The availability of funds is not in question. Under the contract structure, the federal government advances the full annual amount rather than reimbursing individual invoices, and the Hanscom reserve is fully under the town’s control. The most recent audited financials posted on the town website show a Hanscom Reserve balance of $9.7 million at the end of FY24, which is more than sufficient to correct the remaining shortfall for FY21 to FY25 and likely adequate to address earlier years if they were ever reviewed.

What has never been explained to residents is why the misallocation occurred, why it took nearly two years for an investigation to begin, why the School Committee limited the review period despite evidence that earlier years followed the same reimbursement rules, and why only a fraction of the confirmed misallocation has been corrected when the remedy is straightforward, locally controlled, and fully supported by available funds. Given the scale of the dollars involved and the fiduciary obligations owed to Lincoln taxpayers, a clear and comprehensive explanation remains necessary.

Chronology of Events (2022–2025)

  1. Benchmarking Analysis and Initial Evidence

Shortly after moving into town, I began studying our municipal finances. I wanted to understand how a town with the lowest proportion of students relative to population could still have such high taxes. My benchmarking against peer towns showed disproportionately higher taxes per capita across many departments, higher spending per pupil, and notably higher retirement benefits per dollar of payroll. A Massachusetts DESE report provided clear evidence that Lincoln was paying the lion’s share of Hanscom staff benefits.

  1. Sharing Findings with FinCom Leadership

I shared my benchmarking analysis with Finance Committee Chair Andy Payne in fall 2022 and invited him to my home. Unfortunately, we could not get past a disagreement about population numbers, and he showed no interest in the spending-per-pupil and retirement-benefits evidence. I also sent my findings to the full Finance Committee; only Fuat Koro expressed interest, though without leadership support he could not pursue it.

  1. Directed to the finance director

After continued requests, Mr. Payne directed me to Finance Director Colleen Wilkins. Following a few emails, she told me by phone that she was too busy preparing for budget season to engage in a “fishing expedition,” as she believed there was nothing to uncover. Communication ended.

  1. Submitting findings to school leadership

I also brought the matter to the School Committee and then-Superintendent Becky McFall, alerting them to the likely taxpayer subsidy. She quickly denied the subsidy’s existence and gave me access to then-Administrator for Business and Finance Mary Ellen Normen, who explained that she could neither confirm nor refute my findings because the underlying benefits accounting and payroll systems are controlled by the Town Finance Director.

It is relevant that Buck Creel — the longtime administrator for business and finance whose responsibilities included interpreting the contract, overseeing Hanscom’s financial submissions, and ensuring that eligible expenses were properly prepared and submitted for reimbursement — served in that role during the period when these misallocations occurred and was appointed to FinCom last year.

  1. Public records request and response

I filed a public records (FOIA-style) request to obtain the data. I received no response within the legal deadline, appealed to the state, and eventually received documents late from Town Administrator Tim Higgins. The response included irrelevant information that did not refute my claim. His email concluded with a statement that even if a mistake existed, it was not illegal.

  1. Escalation and lack of response

I sent multiple emails to the town administrator, FinCom, Select Board, Finance Department, and school administration explaining why the response was inadequate. None replied. I also asked a friend to brief Select Board member Jim Hutchinson, who had chaired FinCom. He told my friend they were too busy and too frustrated with my inquiries to address anything before Town Meeting. Nothing happened afterward.

  1. FinCom meeting and public comment suppression

Because no one was responding, I raised the issue during public comment at a FinCom meeting. Then-Vice Chair Paul Blanchfield cut me off, stating that he had reviewed the town’s FOIA response and that it disproved my claims. That was factually incorrect.

  1. Reduction in transparency

Following that meeting, several changes at FinCom occurred:

    • Zoom meetings became rare.
    • Mr. Payne stopped posting meeting recordings, and his YouTube channel disappeared.
    • The meeting video was missing from town archives until I provided my personal copy.
    • FinCom began developing a more restrictive public comment policy.
  1. Shift in FinCom position and additional barriers

After that meeting, I emailed Mr. Blanchfield again. His position shifted from “you are wrong” to “the town could recover funds except for certain accounting or statutory exceptions,” which was also incorrect. A new excuse emerged: that the contract was classified. I disproved this by obtaining unredacted copies of current and past contracts directly from the Department of Defense.

  1. School Committee chair steps in and launches independent audit

Former School Committee Chair John McLachlan, after seeing an interview referencing the issue, realized he had been incorrectly told the matter was resolved. He pursued the issue personally despite resistance from Town Administration and FinCom leadership. Unsatisfied, Mr. McLachlan launched an audit, reportedly provoking strong objections. A professional auditor was hired, but the process moved slowly and concluded only in summer 2024.

  1. Limitations of the audit and partial shifts in town accounting

I doubted the auditor could determine the benefit misallocation independently because benefits are managed by the Finance Department. In response to my inquiry on the status of the misallocation investigation at a fall 2023 FinCom meeting, Ms. Wilkins and Mr. Blanchfield redirected responsibility to the School Committee and the auditor. Ultimately, the benefit analysis was produced separately by Ms. Wilkins. Notably, during this same period, the Town transferred approximately $65,000 from the Hanscom reserve to the Town’s general reserve to correct split healthcare charges, an action that indicates the underlying issue had been recognized internally even before the formal findings were presented.

  1. Audit completion and formation of a working group

The audit concluded in summer 2024, though it did not examine benefits, which as I said were prepared independently by Ms. Wilkins. The School Committee formed a five-member working group: two School Committee members (Matina Madrick and Kim Rajdev), one Select Board member (Mr. Hutchinson), one FinCom member (Mr. Blanchfield), and myself. I understand that one longstanding School Committee member opposed both the creation of this working group and my inclusion, leading to a very restrictive mandate: we could examine only the FY21-25 contract, even though earlier contracts were also full-cost reimbursement.

  1. Working group findings and limitations

After discussions and adjustments to allocation methods, the committee unanimously agreed on a methodology confirming the misallocation at roughly 500,000 dollars per year. I objected to the refusal to examine earlier contracts. Before disbanding, I moved to recommend reimbursing the full FY21-25 misallocation. Mr. Hutchinson supported the motion; the other three members abstained.

  1. School Committee decision

Throughout FY25, the School Committee delayed any decision. In their final meeting of the year, they entered executive session and decided to reimburse for approximately one fourth of the remaining verified amount. No rationale was provided publicly.

My hope is that by presenting a clear and complete factual record, residents will demand accountability and strengthen oversight going forward. I have kept detailed records of all communications and am willing to review them with anyone interested.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: Callow asks for votes for School Committee

(Editor’s note: Callow is running unopposed for one of the seats on the School Committee. See the full slate.)

By Jessica Callow

My name is Jessica Callow and I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Lincoln School Committee. I have been a Lincoln resident for nearly 13 years, and my husband Dane and I are raising two children currently in the seventh and fourth grades. As a parent deeply invested in our district, I care profoundly about the strength, inclusivity, and future of our schools.  
 
Over the years, I have been actively involved in our community, serving on board at Lincoln Nursery School for five years, Codman Farm for three years, and most recently the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) since its reactivation in 2023 after years of inactivity. Through SEPAC, I have worked alongside families and district leaders to advocate for students with disabilities and to strengthen communication and collaboration.
 
I have a unique perspective to bring to the School Committee, most notably having a child in district and one who has received out-of-district services for the majority of his elementary education. These experiences have given me a deeper understanding of the varied paths students may take and the importance of ensuring every child feels supported and seen. Recently, I completed the Parent Consulting Training Institute at the Federation for Children with Special Needs, broadening my advocacy skills for neurodiverse learners and students with special needs. This experience deepened my understanding of special education law, collaboration, and systems-level thinking.
 
In addition to my advocacy work, I care deeply about maintaining Lincoln’s tradition of academic excellence while ensuring our schools are financially responsible and sustainable for the long term. I am committed to supporting all learners, strengthening social-emotional and tiered supports within general education, and working collaboratively to ensure our schools remain academically strong, fiscally responsible, and responsive to families. I believe in listening carefully to diverse perspectives with the goal of a shared path forward. I support instructional approaches that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and meaningful real-world learning experiences for students. I look forward to listening, learning, and serving Lincoln in this role and welcome you to reach out and connect.

Jessica Callow
8 Brooks Hill Road
jessicabcallow@gmail.com

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: Sing peacefully in protest

By Margit Griffith

Perhaps you have seen the videos of the good people of Minneapolis singing peacefully in protest against the surge of violence in their city. Across the United States and in countries around the world, people are joining in song. If this is news to you, please see this Anderson Cooper story. 

Recently, the Minneapolis organizers have been helping people organize in community groups. There is no cost, no ask. They seek to help those interested in engaging to protest in song.

If you look at singingresistance on Instagram you can see their toolkit, which is an important start. They recommend groups get together to sing and build community before going out to sing in protest.

Taking their advice and guidance, I have started singingresistancelincolnma on Instagram and invite you to join me at a first Lincoln community gathering to talk about this movement and sing some songs. All are welcome — all ages, those who sing on pitch and those who find their own notes. Please RSVP (I plan to provide some pizza and salad since it’s dinner time):

Monday, Feb. 23, 6:00–7:30pm
St. Anne-in-the-Fields is happy to host us in the Flint Room (147 Concord Road, Lincoln)

If there is interest and enthusiasm, we can meet every other week, and plan actions on other dates. It’s entirely possible we will be joined by other pods of singers from other communities. Hope to see you and sing with you.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: Save Lincoln Wildlife submits citizens’ petition

By Save Lincoln Wildlife

Save Lincoln Wildlife, a town group focused on raising awareness about anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) and encouraging safer alternatives, has submitted a citizens’ petition to ban ARs in Lincoln. If successful at Town Meeting on March 28, the Select Board will send a home rule petition to the state legislature, since the state rather than individual towns regulate pesticides.

Highly toxic ARs poison rodents as well as children and non-target animals, such as birds of prey, wild mammals, and pets. These poisons enter ecosystems when poisoned rodents or contaminated carcasses are eaten by predators, or by accidental ingestion. Although Lincoln’s municipal properties do not use ARs, businesses and private property owners in Lincoln might be using them without realizing it. 

Here is the wording for the Town Meeting warrant article:

Citizens’ Petition to Ban Anticoagulant Rodenticides in Lincoln, MA

To determine whether the town will authorize the Select Board to petition the General Court for special legislation substantially in the form below:

That notwithstanding Chapter 132B of the general laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the Town of Lincoln may by ordinance prohibit the application of anticoagulant rodenticides within the Town of Lincoln, including application of such pesticides by licensed commercial applicators as defined in C.M.R. 333 10.00 except as allowed by the Board of Health to remediate a public health condition; this act shall take effect upon its passage.

Since 2024, Save Lincoln Wildlife has advanced safer alternatives to ARs through several initiatives:

  • Meeting with Lincoln businesses to discuss rodent control alternatives to ARs.
  • Partnering with Lincoln’s Board of Health to inform town residents about safer alternatives to ARs.
  • Co-hosting a MetroWest Rescue Raptor event with attendees from multiple towns.
  • Engaging with legislators at the July 2025 Protect Animals from Rodenticides lobbying day.
  • Tabling at local venues including Town Meeting, State of the Town, and the transfer station.
  • Surveying bait box locations on various properties townwide.

Stay tuned for upcoming outreach events to learn more about this petition and how you can switch to safe and effective rodent control methods.

You can learn more at:

This article was written by Pam Boardman, Deanna Johnson, Staci Montori, Trish O’Hagan, and Carrie Stamos.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: Help with winter electricity bills (CFREE Tip #10)

By the Lincoln Green Energy Committee

1. Eversource heat pump rate

CFREE wants to let residents know about the lower electric rates for heat pump owners. Most recent heat-pump converts may already be signed up but if you have an older system you should make sure you are on this electric rate. Please check your bills to make sure you are!

Households with one or more heat pumps are eligible for a heat pump rate from Eversource, who estimates that it can save you close to 20% on your electricity bill. (Heat pump water heaters by themselves do not qualify.) We announced this back in November, but if you missed that and haven’t signed up (or been signed up automatically) it’s very easy to do so. Just click here. 

If you’re not sure if you’re getting this rate, look at the section of your Eversource bill where the delivery costs are shown. Look for “R1HP-Residential Heat Pump” shown on the attached excerpt from a sample bill. If you have a heat pump but your current rate is R1 or R3, you should ask to be changed to the R1HP-Residential Heat Pump rate, which is lower than either. Click here for illustrations. 

2. Bill relief for winter electric use

And in case you missed the January 23 email from Eversource, there’s a two-month rate reduction ahead, regardless of whether or not you have heat pumps. Note that the relief described will not cover bills for our very cold January. Here’s what they wrote:

We understand that managing higher electric bills alongside other rising expenses has been challenging. As part of ongoing efforts to reduce energy costs, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is providing $180 million in funding to help reduce your electric bills this winter. For your electricity use from Feb. 1, 2026, to March 31, 2026, the rate you pay will be reduced by 25%. Working collaboratively with our regulator and other utilities in Massachusetts, we have adjusted rates down in recognition of the sustained cold weather that has caused electric bills to be higher than this time last year, putting strain on household budgets.

Your total bill savings will be dependent on your energy use. If approved, this 25% reduction will be applied automatically, and you do not need to take any action. This 25% reduction will be reflected under the “current charges for electricity” section of your bill. Although the 25% is not its own line item, we reduced certain rate components to achieve this reduction.

CFREE (Carbon Free Residential — Everything Electric) is a subcommittee of the Lincoln Green Energy Committee. For previous CFREE Tips, click here. CFREE provides guidance on how households can reduce use of fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions to help Massachusetts meet statewide emissions limits set for 2030, 2040, and 2050. It also provides information about state and federal incentives that help reduce the cost of such changes. For guidance on such projects at your home, email lincolngreencoach@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.lincolngreenenergy.org.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: McCLure is running for L-S School Committee

By Jason McClure

I want to announce that I’m running for Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Committee to succeed Lucy Maulsby, who is stepping down after three years of thoughtful and dedicated service to the school and our community.

For those who don’t know me, I’ll share a bit of my background. My wife Tessa and I moved to Lincoln in 2022 from St. Louis and have two children at L-S. The high school was a major factor in our decision to live in the area, and I am heavily invested in its success.

While here, I’ve been involved in Lincoln Youth Soccer, First Parish Teen Service Committee, L-S Graduation Late Night and the Lincoln School promotion committee, which helped restore the D.C. trip for Lincoln’s eighth-graders.

You might have also seen me marching in the Lincoln Fourth of July parade with the Lincoln Minutemen, flipping burgers at L-S football games, or chasing fly balls in the Lincoln Co-ed Softball League.

Professionally, I’m a journalist for a nonprofit investigative news outlet that covers global health. Previously, I worked for Bloomberg News, Reuters and a number of other media organizations. I also taught journalism for six years at the University of Missouri.

I believe that L-S is an amazing school, and I want to help sustain its momentum. If elected, my priorities would be to:

  • Support L-S’s diverse course offerings that allow our teachers to teach classes they’re passionate about and give our students course options that rival those at many colleges.
  • Bolster initiatives that foster community at L-S among students of different grades and backgrounds.
  • Aid the school committee’s commitment to transparency and open communication with staff, parents, students and the community.
  • Work to keep the L-S Regional School District on a sound financial footing.

The district faces challenges that will require careful planning. The school’s roof requires a major repair or replacement that will likely necessitate a new bond issue. Federal funding for our special education programs is uncertain due to changes in Washington, D.C. Like many public schools, L-S’s enrollment has been gradually declining, necessitating spending and staffing adjustments.

If elected, I’m committed to addressing such issues with the long-term health of our high school in mind ­– while remaining mindful of the growth of property taxes.

I’ll work to continue the current committee’s record of collaboration, respect for differing viewpoints and reasoned debate. Finally, I’m eager to hear your thoughts on how we can improve our school and how the committee can better serve the community.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at  jmclure@yahoo.com. I would be grateful for your support at the polls on Monday, March 30.

Jason McClure
191 Concord Road, Lincoln

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: Kudos to Lincoln Witness vigil participants

By Kim Jalet

Thank you to the 55-60 people who came out for some or all of Sunday night’s Lincoln Witness vigil. We shined the light of liberty on a cold and snowy evening full of community building and learning.

For those who were unable to attend but who were with us in spirit, you can learn more about actions you can take at our website at lincolnwitness.org, where you’ll find information about the De-ICE Hanscom movement, vigils at the Burlington ICE field office where people have been kept for days in poor conditions, and legislation we support.

Please save the date for the upcoming Benefit Concert for Emergency Immigrant Support featuring music by the Honey Steelers on Sunday, Feb. 8. Lincoln Witness and St. Anne’s in the Field’s Social Justice Commission are co-sponsoring the event, with support from the First Parish Lincoln Racial Justice Committee and other generous contributors. We hope you’ll join us!

A special thank you to the Selects, Tim Higgins, and Rod McDonald at the town offices for making the lobby available in case anyone needed to warm up.

Let’s keep shining our lights, Lincoln!

Warmly,

Kim Jalet
Brooks Road

The January 18 vigil at Town Hall. (Photo by Brian Jalet)

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: DeLisi aims for another Planning Board term

By Lynn DeLisi

Dear Lincoln residents,

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Lincoln Planning Board, a position I have cherished for the past decade, and I ask for your continued support.

Lincoln is not just where I live; it is a community I truly care about. From the moment we moved here 15 years ago, I have felt a strong responsibility to protect the neighborhoods, open spaces, and sense of safety that make this town so special.

My work on the Planning Board has always centered on one goal: to represent all residents thoughtfully and with sensitivity to their needs, and ensure that no project or policy coming before the Planning Board negatively impacts neighbors or their property. I listen carefully, research thoroughly, and speak up when development threatens the character or stability of a neighborhood.

If re-elected, I will continue to:

  • Safeguard residents’ properties and quality of life.
  • Ensure responsible, transparent development.
  • Update our long-range plan to reflect both growth and preservation.
  • Protect Lincoln’s trees, farmlands, and natural beauty.
  • Facilitate strong open communication between residents and the Board

I am dedicated to keeping Lincoln the community we all chose for its peace, integrity, and shared respect for one another. I would be honored to continue representing you.

With gratitude and commitment,

Lynn E. DeLisi, South Great Road
delisi76@aol.com

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: Madrick seeks reelection to Lincoln School Committee

By Matina Madrick

Hello, I’m Matina Madrick, the current chair of the Lincoln School Committee, and I’m excited to share that I am running for re-election.

Over the past two and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the School Committee. Early in my first year, my colleagues entrusted me with the role of chair. The work has been demanding and deeply rewarding, giving me a firsthand appreciation for the complexity of public education — balancing strong academics with fiscal responsibility, supporting our dedicated teachers and staff, and ensuring that every Lincoln student has access to high-quality learning opportunities.

I’ve also learned how critical it is to stay connected with the community. I regularly meet with parents, educators, and other residents to listen, answer questions, and understand the perspectives that should inform our decisions. Those conversations shape how I approach my work on the Committee.

I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together:

  • Strengthening financial oversight and transparency by establishing a Finance Subcommittee, improving budget consistency, and closely tracking timelines.
  • Maintaining educational quality while respecting taxpayer constraints—passing two level-service budgets within the town’s 2.5% guideline and supporting the administration through collective bargaining and the successful renewal of the Hanscom contract.
  • Championing the selection and rollout of a new English Language Arts curriculum, which earned strong support from families and faculty and represents a long-term investment in teaching quality.
  • Improving School Committee processes to make meetings and materials more accessible, reduce meeting length, and encourage clearer, more data-driven reporting.

As chair during a period of significant administrative transition, I’ve focused on maintaining continuity and building strong, respectful relationships across the district and town — helping ensure smooth planning and stable support for our schools.

If re-elected, my priorities include:

  • Strengthening our shared campus vision. As the community center moves forward, we must collaborate to balance the needs of students, families, and the broader community.
  • Right-sizing resources. As Lincoln’s demographics shift, we need to track enrollment trends carefully and adjust budgets responsibly while maintaining the high educational standards families expect.
  • Consistently reporting on student achievement. We’ve made progress, and I plan to continue improving how we track student growth and clearly identify areas where additional support is needed.
  • Making equity concrete. Lincoln values equity and inclusion, and the School Committee must translate those values into tangible decisions — from curriculum to resource allocation — so every student has the opportunity to succeed.

I’ll be hosting several meet-and-greets and would love to connect. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime at mmadrick@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration. I would be honored to continue serving the Lincoln community. As a reminder, Election Day in Lincoln is March 30, 2026!

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: Ravi Simon running for reelection to L-S School Committee

By Ravi Simon

Dear Lincoln,

Thank you for the honor of electing me to serve on the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee. I am excited to declare my candidacy for a second term and ask for your support once again.

I ran for the L-S School Committee in 2023 to bring my perspective as a former student to the committee’s work and to help ensure that today’s students receive an education as strong as the one I received as a member of the Class of 2015.

Over the past three years, I have been proud to take on a leadership role on the committee. Anyone who knows me knows that I hold strong views grounded in my values. At the same time, I firmly believe that good leadership begins with listening respectfully to all perspectives and working toward consensus. In that spirit, I have focused on strengthening the committee’s collegiality and our working relationships with the L-S Administration, our teachers, and both towns. This approach has earned the confidence of my colleagues, who elected me vice chair in 2023 and chair in 2024, and unanimously re-elected me as chair in May 2025.

During my first term, I played a key role in successfully negotiating a fair contract with our teachers, helped launch the process that resulted in a ban on cell phones in classrooms, and ensured greater transparency by releasing documents to the community in advance of our meetings. Most of all, I am proud to have played a part in ensuring that L-S remains on stable financial and academic footing, while preserving the unique character and culture that make our high school special.

Serving Lincoln at both the local and state levels has been a privilege. For close to five years, I have also worked as the sole staff member for State Rep. Carmine Gentile, who represents constituents in both Sudbury and Lincoln in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. This role has provided me the opportunity to meet many of my neighbors in both towns and to listen closely to their priorities and concerns, which helps me better serve students and families on the School Committee.

Although work and friendships already connected me to Lincoln, one of the most enjoyable parts of serving on the committee has been getting to know the town even better. We may have crossed paths at the Winter Carnival Coffee House, Girl Scout pancake breakfast, Council on Aging holiday lunch, Town Meeting, IDEA newcomers party, the PTO back-to-school picnic, or other community gatherings. I look forward to continuing to be a familiar face around town — although you’ll have to forgive me for remaining a Sudbury resident.

My current objectives on the committee include:

  • Completing a long-overdue legal and technical update to the regional agreement between Lincoln and Sudbury, which has not been revised since the 1980s;
  • Ensuring that the School Committee and administration are able to successfully repair or replace our aging roof
  • Helping foster an environment where all students feel welcome by including a nonvoting METCO representative in the committee’s discussions, evaluating our ADA compliance, and advancing efforts to educate students about issues of inclusion and respect for human differences.

And, of course, I will continue to bring my distinct perspective as an alumnus to discussions as the committee works to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of students.

I will be working to earn your vote on Monday, March 30. If you’re interested in learning more, I hope you will visit my campaign website (ravisimon.com), and please reach out (raviforlincolnsudbury@gmail.com) if you have any questions, or would like to talk.

Warmly,

Ravi Simon
437 Cold Brook Drive, Sudbury

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.