The Cohasset School Committee unanimously adopted a new five-year strategic plan for 2025-2030, a document crafted over months by a team of administrators, teachers, parents, and students that places a profound emphasis on student wellness and authentic learning. Superintendent Sarah Shannon introduced the plan, which builds on the district's past successes while charting a new course. “Our why is really clear,” Shannon explained. “Our why is that we inspire character, purposeful growth, and a commitment to authentic scholarship so that our students can, while they are here and once they leave us, improve their communities.”

The plan is structured around four "compass points": Teaching, Learning, and Leading; Wellness; Community Engagement; and Resources. A key focus is balancing the district's high academic rigor with the social-emotional health of its students. This point was powerfully articulated by student representative Gabby Madden, a high school sophomore. “There's just a lot of pressure for kids to do as well as possible,” Madden shared. “Being able to dial that back a little bit and make kids feel a little bit more like they're healthy in their skin and they don't need to be doing everything, I think is just the best thing possible.” High School Principal Brian Scott echoed her sentiment, stating the goal is to redefine what success looks like and build "confidence and a sense of self-worth" through authentic connection.

The committee also tackled the pervasive issue of cell phones in schools, reviewing findings from a task force that piloted a "phone experiment" earlier in the spring. While the experiment reduced social media challenges and increased conversation at lunch, it also revealed a student "fear of not knowing" and simply shifted phone use to after-school hours. Committee members signaled support for a more restrictive policy. New member Corey Evans argued for a clear approach, stating, "A fully restrictive phone policy, I think, puts students first. I think it puts experience first." Chair Jennifer Lesky agreed, seeing it as an important lesson. "I think there are really wonderful teachable moments about how to deal with the discomfort of not knowing," she said.

The meeting also served as a welcome for Evans and included year-end updates from the high school and middle school principals, highlighting numerous student achievements from winning a National Blue Ribbon School award to topping the state in sixth-grade ELA MCAS scores. Vice Chair Craig MacLellan praised the presentations, noting, "The graduating class is a reflection of the passion, the dedication, and just the incredible academic product that we deliver." The committee formally welcomed Evans and Motion made by Jennifer Lesky to suspend the reorganization of the committee till the next meeting. Vote Passed 3-0. Later in the evening, after a thorough presentation, Motion made by Jennifer Lesky to approve the proposed 2025 to 2030 strategic plan for the Cohasset public schools as presented this evening. Vote Passed 3-0. Finally, after adjusting for holidays and the last day of school, Motion made by Corey Evans to approve the [2025-2026 school committee meeting] calendar with those revisions. Vote Passed 3-0. The meeting was adjourned.