Article 12, a citizen petition seeking $300,000 from free cash to provide tuition-free full-day kindergarten and refund families who already paid this year, was defeated after extensive debate. Petitioner Cassandra Dragon Arshambo argued that 95% of Massachusetts towns offer free full-day kindergarten and that Cohasset is an outlier. She characterized the current $3,000 tuition as a barrier to equity and a "band-aid" for budget deficits.

However, the School Committee, Select Board, and Advisory Committee all spoke in opposition. School Committee member Craig Mloone and former chair Lance Dial explained that while they support the goal of free kindergarten, using "free cash" for a one-time refund without a sustainable long-term funding source is fiscally irresponsible. Gene Hilly Dipple noted that the town's free cash reserves are at their lowest point since 2012, warning that such an expenditure could lead toward a future tax override. A motion to stop debate passed, and the subsequent voice vote defeated the petition.

Motion: Move that the Town vote to appropriate $300,000 from free cash to fund tuition-free full-day kindergarten for the current school year.

Vote: Failed