Cohasset school officials are grappling with a projected $1.9 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, a gap that Superintendent Sarah Shannon warns could necessitate the reduction of 15 to 20 full-time equivalent staff positions. During Wednesday’s School Committee meeting, Shannon detailed a grim financial landscape where the Governor’s budget increase of just 2.03% fails to meet the district’s rising operational costs, particularly as the town receives no funding from the Student Opportunity Act.

To bridge the gap, the district is currently identifying $200,000 in cuts to supplies and curriculum, alongside $125,000 from athletics and stipends. However, Shannon emphasized that because 80% of the budget is comprised of staffing, personnel cuts are becoming unavoidable. These decisions are not made lightly, Shannon said. Teachers will 'make do,' but that doesn't mean we didn't need those resources. While a Proposition 2.5 override is being discussed as a potential remedy, the committee leaned toward a strategic Fall 2026 campaign for the Fiscal Year 2028 budget rather than a rushed spring attempt.

Member Corey Evans argued that a well-conceived, community-wide plan is essential to passing an override, noting that emergency stop-gap measures often fail at the ballot box. A plan presented as a 'way forward' has a better chance, Evans said. I want to float a Fall override for FY28. We shouldn't wait until next Spring. It needs to be a community-wide collaboration. Member Jacob Squatrito quantified the potential impact on residents, noting that the current deficit equates to roughly $400 per household. We aren't 'playing games' with fees anymore; we are talking about substantial changes, Squatrito said. 15 to 20 FTEs is more than 20 individuals. I don't think the community wants these cuts.

Resident Victoria Latanzi expressed urgent concern regarding the potential exodus of talent if the district waits until the fall to seek funding. Why should we lose them this year only to bring them back next year? Latanzi asked. They'll be gone. They'll go elsewhere. Is there any skin in the game to do something for this upcoming fiscal year? Vice Chair Craig MacLellan responded that he remains very protective of our talent and suggested that naturally occurring vacancies through retirements might mitigate some losses, while Chair Jennifer Lesky stressed that the community must be educated on the value educators provide. These educators save children’s lives by being the link for them. That is priceless, Lesky noted.

The financial discussion also touched on the looming expiration of a federal grant that funds the Safe Harbor program. Member Evans reminded the committee that the grant ends in year 10, and the district is currently in year nine. This program was credited earlier in the meeting for contributing to significantly improved Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results. The High School Principal and Wellness Department Director presented data showing that while 13% of students report depressive symptoms, overall trends in substance use are declining. Alcohol use has gone down, the High School Principal reported, attributing the shift to moving health curriculums to reach sophomores earlier and separating the middle and high school identities.

The survey data highlighted a disparity in mental health struggles, with female students reporting higher stress levels and more frequent self-destructive behaviors than their male peers. The Wellness Department Director noted that the district is shifting focus toward newer trends, such as the use of Zyn nicotine pouches, through freshman awareness programs. Preventative maintenance is more important than punishment, the director stated. Secretary Lance Dial praised the shift in school culture. These numbers are tremendous, Dial said. It shows identification of an issue, concerted action, and a response... You are changing the culture.

In the middle school, the Principal noted that while alcohol and vaping numbers remain low, mental health remains the primary concern for female students. The district is partnering with the Samaritans to address suicide prevention in an age-appropriate manner for 8th graders. Resident Stephanie Saunders spoke in favor of the district’s specialized support staff, specifically highlighting the impact of social worker Bobby Collins on students struggling with school avoidance. Bobby is fantastic... if there's a way to bring those skills to parents on a wider level, that would be great, Saunders said.

The Director of Student Services provided an update on special education and English Language Learner (ELL) programs, urging a shift in how the community views MCAS scores. By focusing on Student Growth Percentiles (SGP) rather than raw proficiency, the director showed that many students with disabilities are making high growth even if they haven't yet met state expectations. An integrated monitoring review of the ELL program found the district fully compliant in most areas, though a corrective action plan is due February 27th to address four administrative findings regarding record-keeping and licensure documentation.

Superintendent Shannon also touched on administrative updates, noting that the search for a new Assistant Superintendent is underway and requires two parent volunteers for the committee. Regarding the 2026-2027 school calendar, the district is planning to test a half-day for Good Friday following survey results where 46% of parents supported the change. Shannon also thanked town departments for their coordination during a recent snowstorm, which she described as one of the top ten in state history.