Meeting report · Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee
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Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee — April 28, 2026
The meeting was characterized by constructive dialogue, technical inquiries from the public, and standard administrative approvals.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Budget Shortfalls in Utilities and Buildings/Grounds
Q3 report noted shortfalls in utilities, contracted services, and buildings/grounds, which may impact future budget allocations. Affected: Taxpayers and district administrators
other high impact
02
Cell Phone Ban Implementation Costs
Potential un-funded mandates for hardware (e.g., Yonder bags) and implementation strategies. Affected: District budget/taxpayers
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of the consent agenda with a correction to the April 8th minutes regarding the China trip motion/second.
The minutes were corrected to show a speaker made the motion and a speaker seconded it, rather than an external individual.
Approved
Approval of Andrew Stevens' performance evaluation.
A roll call vote was conducted following a motion by a speaker.
Approved
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 00:35 Consent Agenda and Minutes Correction
The committee reviewed the consent agenda, including the April 8th minutes. A correction was made to accurately record the motion and second for the China trip vote.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 01:04 Superintendent Report
Updates regarding hybrid meeting equipment testing, upcoming Sudbury Town Meeting (FY27 budget and regional agreement), student achievements in science, sports, and public speaking, and upcoming school events like the unified track meet and mock crash. The report also covered student achievements in science and academics, and various upcoming spring events.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 02:52 Student Senate Update
The Student Senate reported on a recent 'Bring a Friend' meeting, upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week activities, and the timeline for upcoming elections.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 04:49 METCO Report
Updates were provided regarding the new METCO parent caregiver representative, Lissette Gil-Sanchez, and the success of the recent METCO advocacy day at the State House.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 07:33 Teachers Association Update
The association provided updates on the Paul Vernon Scholarship silent auction, teacher visits to classrooms, and various upcoming student trips and exams.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 14:07 Substance Use Intervention Presentation (I Decide)
Sarah Greeley presented on the 'I Decide' program, a tier-two intervention for students involved with substance use, highlighting its success in providing safe, non-disciplinary connections with staff.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 56:00 Financial Report
The Q3 financial report was presented, noting increased revenue from Medicaid and insurance credits, alongside budget shortfalls in utilities, contracted services, and buildings/grounds.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:03:00 ADA Self-Assessment Update
An update was provided on the solicitation of quotes for an ADA self-evaluation audit covering physical facilities, digital communications, and employment practices.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:13:23 State Legislation regarding Cell Phone Bans
Discussion regarding potential state laws for 'bell-to-bell' cell phone bans and social media restrictions for minors, including various implementation strategies and potential costs.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:21:30 Finance Subcommittee Update
Review of parking and exam fees, upcoming discussion on building rental and EV charger fees, and review of Q3 2026 reports.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:24:30 Policy Forecast: Student Physical Restraint
Notification of new state regulations regarding physical restraint, timeout, and seclusion of students that the district will need to adopt.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:30:56 Superintendent Performance Evaluation
Review and discussion of the synthesized annual evaluation for Superintendent Andrew Stevens.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:38:06 Policy Review
Review of various policy items (KBE, JJE, KHA, BHE, BGB), including a suggestion to clarify language regarding 'urgent' needs in policy BGB.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:42:00 Committee Reorganization and Member Transitions
Recognition of departing member Lucy and introduction of new member Jason McLure; discussion on the upcoming reorganization process.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
State Legislation regarding Cell Phone Bans
Potential 'bell-to-bell' bans and social media restrictions involve significant shifts in student autonomy, school discipline, and potential un-funded mandates for the district.
Board position: The board is in an information-gathering phase, requesting demonstrations of storage solutions (Yonder bags) and a formal presentation on implementation options.
medium concern
02
Substance Use Intervention ('I Decide' Program)
While presented as a success, the program touches on sensitive topics of student discipline, mental health, and the boundary between educational and clinical interventions.
Board position: Supportive of the non-disciplinary, connection-based approach.
medium concern
Split votes
Approval of Andrew Stevens' performance evaluation
Approved (Roll call vote)
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Update the revolving funds report for the parking fund to include 'including capital improvements' following guidance from DESE.
Assigned: Susan
Report back to the school committee on April 30th regarding ADA audit vendor proposals.
Assigned: Susan · Due: 1800
Attend a demonstration of 'Yonder bags' to understand operational implications and costs for phone storage.
Assigned: Andrew (a speaker) · Due: Within the next two weeks
Prepare a presentation for the committee regarding options, pros, and cons of various cell phone management approaches.
Assigned: Andrew (a speaker)
Discuss the language in policy BGB regarding the use of 'emergency' versus 'urgent' needs for suspending rules.
Assigned: Policy Subcommittee
Review the committee and liaison list for the upcoming reorganization.
Assigned: Committee Members · Due: Before May 12
Reach out to new member Jason McLure to provide guidance and context before the reorganization meeting.
Assigned: Lucy/Kathy/Ravi · Due: Before May 12
Notable statements
This allows us, in essence, a diversion program... it allows us to be compliant with the Massachusetts law 37 H and 3/4. — Andrew (Speaker D/J) · Explaining how the substance use intervention program meets state requirements for alternative disciplinary methods. ▶ 36:00
The most magic comes from a student spending One-on-one time... having discussions with the teacher and making a connection. — Sarah Greeley · Discussing the effectiveness of the 'I Decide' program compared to traditional disciplinary suspensions. ▶ 40:30
One option--let's say this came out, in late August, the, the big question that I, I know will be with every superintendent... is there any money that's connected to this, or is it an unfunded mandate? — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the implementation of potential state cell phone bans. ▶ 1:16:11
One other thing that, that you, may be already talking about... is Getting students and teachers to start working in ways that are less reliant on cell phones as a way of disseminating information. — Unidentified speaker · Offering a perspective on preparing for a possible cell phone ban. ▶ 1:21:00
Member positions
2 issues · 1 explicit · 2 inferred
Ravi Simon
Present
Chair
Approval of the consent agenda with a correction to the April 8th minutes regarding the China trip motion/second.
YES
~
Approved the consent agenda with the specified minutes correction.
Approval of Andrew Stevens' performance evaluation.
YES
~
Approved the Superintendent's synthesized annual evaluation.
Catherine Bitter
Present
Vice-Chair
Approval of the consent agenda with a correction to the April 8th minutes regarding the China trip motion/second.
YES
~
Approved the consent agenda with the specified minutes correction.
Approval of Andrew Stevens' performance evaluation.
YES
~
Approved the Superintendent's synthesized annual evaluation.
Maura Carty
Present
Member
Approval of the consent agenda with a correction to the April 8th minutes regarding the China trip motion/second.
YES
~
Approved the consent agenda with the specified minutes correction.
Approval of Andrew Stevens' performance evaluation.
YES
~
Approved the Superintendent's synthesized annual evaluation.
Jason D. McLure
Present
Member
Approval of the consent agenda with a correction to the April 8th minutes regarding the China trip motion/second.
YES
~
Approved the consent agenda with the specified minutes correction.
Approval of Andrew Stevens' performance evaluation.
YES
~
Approved the Superintendent's synthesized annual evaluation.
Charles I. Morton IV
Present
Member
Approval of the consent agenda with a correction to the April 8th minutes regarding the China trip motion/second.
YES
~
Approved the consent agenda with the specified minutes correction.
Approval of Andrew Stevens' performance evaluation.
YES
~
Approved the Superintendent's synthesized annual evaluation.
John J. Ryan Jr.
Present
Member
Approval of the consent agenda with a correction to the April 8th minutes regarding the China trip motion/second.
YES
~
Approved the consent agenda with the specified minutes correction.
Approval of Andrew Stevens' performance evaluation.
YES
~
Approved the Superintendent's synthesized annual evaluation.
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
9
Total speakers
9
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Jack
Addressed
The speaker requested a correction to the April 8th meeting minutes regarding a vote on a trip to China. He noted that the motion was actually made by himself and seconded by Kathy, rather than being attributed to Andrew.
Key concern
Correction of the official meeting minutes to accurately reflect who made and seconded a motion.
Board responseThe board (a speaker) asked if there were any objections to making the change, and upon receiving none, accepted the correction.
The board immediately moved to approve the change to the minutes as requested.
Anya
Addressed
Representing the Student Senate, the speaker provided updates on a 'Bring a Friend' event, upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week activities, and the timeline for student elections. She also mentioned preparing for upcoming AP exams.
Key concern
Providing student government updates to the committee.
Board responseThe board thanked her for the updates and acknowledged the upcoming teacher appreciation efforts.
The board acknowledged the report and expressed appreciation for the student senate's work.
Maureen
Addressed
Representing the Teachers Association, the speaker thanked the committee for visiting classrooms and provided updates on the Paul Vernon Scholarship auction, upcoming AP exams, student trips, and the junior prom. She also highlighted various student achievements and upcoming field trips.
Key concern
Providing updates on teacher and student activities and expressing appreciation for committee engagement.
Board responseThe board thanked the speaker and expressed appreciation for the school tour provided by the teachers.
The board acknowledged the information and reciprocated the thanks regarding the school visit.
Maura Carty
Addressed
The speaker asked if students who complete the 'I Decide' program have the opportunity to repeat it if they encounter further issues in the future. She also inquired about parental involvement and whether parents are kept in the loop regarding their child's participation.
Key concern
Clarification on the repeatability of the 'I Decide' program and the level of parental involvement/notification.
Board responseThe presenter (Sarah Greeley) answered both questions, explaining the policy on repeat participation and the collaborative nature of the program with parents.
The speaker's technical questions were answered directly by the program lead during the presentation.
Kathy
Addressed
The speaker asked for clarification on whether the 'I Decide' program can be accessed through parental or student referral outside of a formal disciplinary context. She also inquired if the program's existence is communicated to students as an option for friends in need.
Key concern
Understanding the referral pathways (non-disciplinary) for the 'I Decide' program.
Board responseThe presenter (Sarah Greeley) explained how associate principals and counselors facilitate these connections and how student-to-student referrals work.
The presenter provided a detailed explanation of the referral process for parents and students.
Lucy Malsby
Addressed
The speaker asked about the long-term support available to students after the four formal 'I Decide' sessions conclude. She specifically questioned how students might maintain connections to resources or support communities after the program ends.
Key concern
The sustainability of student support and connection to resources after the official program concludes.
Board responseThe presenter (Sarah Greeley) and board member (Andrew) discussed how the relationship can continue and how students are redirected to comprehensive school resources.
The presenter and board members engaged in a discussion to address the student's long-term connection to the school's wellness network.
Jack
Addressed
The speaker expressed support for keeping students in school rather than using suspension for substance issues. He also asked for a brief explanation of what a 'clinical' tier three intervention entails and voiced concerns about how to support parents whose children are struggling but haven't been 'caught' yet.
Key concern
Clarification on 'clinical' interventions and support for parents of students not yet formally involved in disciplinary processes.
Board responseThe presenter (Sarah Greeley) explained the difference between educational and clinical/therapeutic approaches and discussed the 'I Care' resource for parents.
The presenter addressed both the definition of clinical settings and the resources available for proactive parental support.
Unidentified speaker
Addressed
The speaker requested a specific wording change to the parking fund documentation to include 'capital improvements' and suggested citing the source of the guidance to avoid re-working the issue in the future.
Key concern
Updating the description of the parking fund to ensure long-term clarity and accuracy.
Board responseThe finance director (Susan) agreed to the change and noted the source of the guidance.
The board accepted the request to update the financial documentation wording.
Unidentified speaker
Addressed
The speaker suggested that the policy regarding suspending rules during an 'emergency' might be too narrow and proposed adding 'urgent' to the language to allow for flexibility in non-emergency but pressing situations.
Key concern
Broadening the language of a policy to include 'urgent' needs alongside 'emergencies'.
Board responseThe board chair (Ravi) suggested that the policy subcommittee discuss this refinement in the future.
The board acknowledged the suggestion and directed it toward the appropriate subcommittee for future review.
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Report composed by
gemma-4-26b, grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-05-30.