We avidly support Matina Madrick for one of the two open seats on the Lincoln School Committee in the March 27 election. We believe that Matina will be an outstanding member of the School Committee for the following reasons. She brings:

• Passion for understanding education policy and financial data as it relates to educational needs and resources
• Professional experience analyzing the New York City education budget as well as testing and class size data
• Consulting experience in a variety of districts and schools throughout the country
• Understanding of data in the context of the community, the schools and the students
• A vested interest in the schools as a parent of three children in the Lincoln and Lincoln-Sudbury Schools
• Context from having her children in different school systems previously and serving as a volunteer in those systems
• Ability to work collaboratively for change when needed
• Ability to use her interpersonal skills in working with the school committee, administration and Lincoln parents

We are convinced that Matina Madrick would be an excellent addition to the Lincoln School Committee, given her professional and volunteer experiences as well as her passion and enthusiasm for education policy. Please join us and vote for Matina Madrick on March 27 or via mail-in ballot.

“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 Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

(Editor’s note: Lehrhoff is vying with Peter Buchthal, incumbent Adam Hogue, and Matina Madrick for two openings on the School Committee. A Q&A with those candidates appeared in the Squirrel on March 14.)

We enthusiastically support the candidacy of Jake Lehrhoff for one of the two Lincoln School Committee seats up for election on March 27. We believe he will be an outstanding member of the School Committee. He will bring to the work of the Committee:

• Professional experience as an educator in middle school English/language arts
• Skills in both leadership and collaboration honed as chair of the English Department at the Gifford School
• Expertise in leading a data science and research organization at Spotify sharpening the strategic analysis required for data-driven decision-making
• Empathy and a recognition that honest communication unlocks collaboration, and that collaboration is a key to progress
• Determination to improve the educational experience of every student the Lincoln School serves
• Capacity and intent to create space for the voices and needs that are not in the room as well as those that are
• Commitment to effective and collaborative leadership by the School Committee as it guides and continues to strengthen Lincoln’s excellent school system
• Vested interest in the schools with two children that will attend the LPS system
• Dedication to Lincoln and a love for its strong community and conservation land

We are confident that he will do a superb job on the School Committee and we hope that you will join us in voting for Jake Lehrhoff on March 27 or by mail-in ballot.

“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.

By Kim Bodnar

(Editor’s note: Bodnar, a Fox Run Road resident, is running uncontested for the open seat on the Select Board. The Squirrel will publish mini-profiles of the uncontested candidates in the upcoming town election early this week.)

It is with much enthusiasm that I announce my candidacy for the Select Board for a three-year term beginning in March.

Reflecting on the past five and a half years as vice chair of the School Building Committee (SBC), I cherish the time I’ve spent building relationships with my fellow committee members and residents in our community. The many conversations I’ve had in our community spaces or just walking the trails together have shaped my understanding of Lincoln’s history and culture, as well as concerns for its future and the challenges ahead. This process has made me a better listener, collaborator, and communicator. And it’s the same dedication and commitment to inclusiveness, transparency and thoughtful leadership that have characterized my work on the SBC that I hope to bring to every aspect of my role on the Select Board.

My family moved to Lincoln over a decade ago. It’s when my daughters were enrolled at preschool at Lincoln Nursery School and kindergarten at the Lincoln School that we first walked the trails behind the deCordova and fell in love with Lincoln’s natural beauty. It’s also when I began to appreciate the town’s commitment to its long-held traditions and core values, and I recognized the need to contribute to that history of stewardship. I chose volunteer opportunities that blended my skills of thoughtful questioning, data analysis and unwavering effort with a strong sense of teamwork. Over the years, that has included Lincoln School’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Chair, a board member for the Friends of the Lincoln Library, lead organizer of a community-wide kickball tournament, and as a contributor of the Citizen’s Petition that recently renamed the Board of Selectmen to the Select Board. 

As vice chair of the SBC, I have spent a great deal of time in front of our town’s many boards and committees. These meetings have given me a tremendous respect for the exceptional level of volunteerism as well as a first-hand view into how our town is run and managed by our talented town staff. And as an SBC Outreach subcommittee member, I did everything I could to ensure that residents felt engaged with the decision-making process and informed of progress every step of the way. Our 200+ blog and LincolnTalk posts, videos, the SBC website, multiple mailings, and handouts are a testament to the level of transparency we tried to achieve. The skills and expertise gained through a business career in supply chain management, process engineering, and market development have, without a doubt, been an asset throughout my many volunteer roles.

Looking ahead, I am eager to share my experiences and knowledge as a crucial phase of the community center building project begins. It is a humbling process that requires tireless effort but also a tremendous opportunity to listen and learn from a great cross section of our residents. The town of Lincoln is also at an interesting crossroads with respect to the recent housing choice legislation for MBTA communities and the need for expanded housing options. It is a conversation that requires full community engagement as we reflect on what we value and decide on what zoning changes we will support. We are also at an inflection point when discussing next steps for the revitalization of Lincoln Station, transportation policy, and the work of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Climate Action Plan, and diversity and equity initiatives, to name a few.

Because these initiatives touch every part of our lives, they require broad based discussions from residents including those who serve on our many town boards and committees. I look forward to contributing to these efforts and building consensus for the long term benefit of Lincoln.

Finally, as I announce my candidacy, I would like to express my thanks to Jonathan Dwyer for his many years of service to the community, including his six years on the Select Board, and I respectfully ask for your support at the town election on Monday, March 27.

“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.

By Lucy Maulsby

(Editor’s note: Maulsby, a Tower Road resident, is running uncontested for one of two open seats on the L-S School Committee along with Sudbury resident Ravi Simon. The Squirrel will publish mini-profiles of the uncontested candidates in the upcoming town election early this week.)

I am writing to ask for your vote for the Lincoln-Sudbury District School Committee in the March 27 town election.

I have lived in Lincoln since the spring of 2012 and currently have two children at the Lincoln School, with my eldest headed to LSRHS next fall. Both of my children have benefited enormously from their time at the Lincoln School — they have been inspired by excellent teachers, developed strong friendships, participated in musical performances, and joined sports teams. Their experiences have made me alert to the many ways in which we as a community support and nurture our children as they grow, the critical role that public education can play in that process, and the responsibility that we have as members of the community to ensure a vibrant, inclusive, rigorous, and innovative school system.    

To that end, I have supported the Lincoln School in several volunteer positions. I am currently the School Committee appointee to the Library Board of Trustees (2019–present). In that role, I support the operations of the library and serve as a liaison between the School Committee and the library. I also served as a member at large and grant chair for the Lincoln School Foundation from 2014–18. In that role, I had the opportunity to work closely with the faculty and administration on the launch of a variety of programs and projects in support of deeper learning.  

Education is also central to my professional life. I am an associate professor of architectural history at Northeastern University where, in addition to teaching, I manage undergraduate programs and have served as chair of the School of Architecture. In these roles, I am engaged in curriculum and program development, faculty assessment, budget preparation, staff reviews, hiring of faculty and staff, and student engagement and support. These experiences have taught me how to effectively navigate complex bureaucracies, to balance conflicting priorities, and to work collaboratively. 

As a member of the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee, I look forward to helping shape the future of -LS as the school transitions to new leadership at a critical time in the institution’s history. I will also aim to foster an environment of thoughtful, respectful, transparent, and collegial participation and debate within the School Committee. More broadly, I will advocate for the various stakeholders — especially students, but also parents, faculty, and staff — each of which are critical to the success of L-S; work to maintain the excellence of the many programs that L-S supports; and facilitate communication and engagement among Lincoln, Sudbury, and Boston to collaboratively impact the broad L-S community.

It has been a great pleasure to volunteer in Lincoln and I would like to continue that work as a member of the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee. I look forward to meeting you and hearing your ideas and concerns, and I hope that you will consider voting for me on March 27.

“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.