The Cohasset School Committee kicked off the 2025-2026 school year with a celebratory air, welcoming over a dozen new faculty members and announcing a major statewide recognition. At the September 3rd meeting, Superintendent Sarah Shannon shared that Boston Magazine recently ranked Cohasset Middle/High School as number four in all of Massachusetts. “Four is great. Why not one?” Shannon said, challenging the district to continue elevating its excellence while also focusing on student and staff wellness. The meeting began by introducing new teachers and staff across the Osgood, Deer Hill, and Middle/High schools, with the Middle School principal sharing charming anecdotes of what the new hires were like in their own middle school years. Speaking of one new teacher’s self-description, he noted, “If there's a better way to describe what it's like to be in middle school, I don't know what it is.”

The centerpiece of the meeting was the formal presentation of the district’s newly designed five-year strategic plan, now available as an interactive document on the district’s website. The plan is built around four "compass points": Teaching, Learning, and Leading; Wellness; Community Engagement; and Resources. Shannon outlined the district’s action plan for the first year, which includes initiatives to improve communications, explore Project-Based Learning, and develop a multi-year financial forecast. The plan was well-received by the committee. “I am seeing a layered cake here and I love it,” said Chair Jennifer Lesky. “The way in which the strategic plan and the district goals are so well aligned and complement each other… this was done so strategically and intentionally.” Vice Chair Craig MacLellan added that improving communications is key, suggesting the district create “a brochure or a pamphlet or like an advertisement for our schools” to better tell its story.

On the resources front, the committee discussed several key logistical items. The district’s non-viable electric bus is being replaced with a new diesel bus, primarily for athletics, pending a final vote by the Select Board to transfer the capital funds. The committee also learned of an important upcoming vote for the community. Secretary Lance Dial noted that an accelerated repair project approved by the state requires local funding approval at a Special Town Meeting on November 5th. “It's important that we communicate that we have a big ask coming to special town meeting and we need parents to show up,” Dial urged. Member Corey Evans requested a "running balance report" for the school stabilization fund, which will be used for the project, to ensure financial transparency.

The committee concluded its public business with a procedural vote on school policy. Following a second reading, the committee voted to formally separate the Service Animal policy from the more general Animals in School policy to provide greater clarity. A motion was made to separate the existing animals in school policy from the service animal policy. The motion was seconded by Corey Evans. The motion passed 4-0. The committee then voted to move into a private executive session. A motion was made to move into executive session under Chapter 30, capital A section 21 A7, and not return to the public session. The motion passed 4-0.