Oversees Cohasset public schools — sets the school budget, approves curriculum changes, and hires the superintendent.
82 items across 8 meetings.
June 3, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Standard meeting opening procedures.
• Status unclear
Public comment period open to residents.
📋 Proposed
School Committee will honor staff retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
📋 Proposed
Presentation on Cohasset Minds Matter, a student mental-health initiative.
📋 Proposed
Year-end results for both elementary schools' improvement plans plus goals for 2026-2027, presented by principals Gaudette and Sullivan; vote required.
📍 143 Pond Street, Cohasset, MA 02025
📋 Proposed
Dr. Shannon presents the district's professional development plan for staff for 2026-2027.
📋 Proposed
Dr. Scollins updates the committee on current academic programs and initiatives.
📋 Proposed
Annual special-education compliance report under IDEA (federal disability education law), including data sharing and a look ahead to 2026-2027 services.
📋 Proposed
Committee vote to accept a gift from the CEF (local school fundraising foundation); amount not specified in agenda.
💰 Amount not specified
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on member assignments to subcommittees and liaison roles for the coming year.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes to set the official meeting schedule for the 2026-2027 school year.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjournment; requires a vote.
May 20, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine meeting opening.
• Status unclear
Residents may address the Committee.
📋 Proposed
Principals Scopelleti and Scott present year-end results and next year's improvement plans for CMS and CHS — vote required.
📍 143 Pond Street, Cohasset, MA 02025
💬 Discussed
Dr. Shannon updates on the Massachusetts School Building Authority (state school-construction funding program) building committee progress.
💬 Discussed
Superintendent presents a two-year district-wide communications plan.
💬 Discussed
Dr. Scollins reports on current academic programs and initiatives.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes to accept a gift from the CEF; amount not specified in agenda.
💰 Amount not stated
💬 Discussed
Ms. Susan Owen presents the monthly budget and finance report.
💬 Discussed
Subcommittee liaisons share updates; no vote indicated.
📋 Proposed
Vote to approve prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Committee enters closed session under MGL Ch. 30A §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy on collective bargaining (staff union contracts).
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned.
May 6, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
All five committee members present; hearing called to order at 5:49 PM.
📍 143 Pond Street, Cohasset Middle and High School Learning Commons
💬 Discussed
Superintendent Shannon recommended against opting into School Choice, noting state reimbursement is only ~$5,000 per student versus the district's ~$22,000 per-pupil cost, creating a major funding gap; staffing limits, special education obligations, and enrollment unpredictability add further risk.
💰 ~$5,000 state reimbursement per School Choice student vs. ~$22,000 district per-pupil expenditure
💬 Discussed
Members debated whether targeted grade-level openings could yield modest revenue, but concerns about lottery unpredictability, special education costs, and potential student outflow led to consensus that risks outweigh benefits.
💬 Discussed
No public comment was received.
✅ Approved
Hearing adjourned with no action taken; School Choice vote scheduled for the regular meeting immediately following.
May 6, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
All five members present; meeting called to order at 6:01 PM.
📍 143 Pond Street, Cohasset Middle and High School Learning Commons
💬 Discussed
No public comment submitted.
💬 Discussed
Multi-grade collaborative visual arts initiative presented by Ms. Nina Berkowitz Bock and students, praised for creativity, mentorship, and mental health benefits.
✅ Approved
Committee unanimously approved sending 48 high school juniors/seniors to the 2027 National High School Model United Nations conference in NYC at ~$950 per student, self-funded.
💰 ~$950 per student, self-funded
📍 New York City
💬 Discussed
Dr. Shannon reported strong districtwide progress across six strategic priorities including curriculum alignment, wellness initiatives, community engagement, and groundwork for a five-year financial forecast; a four-year teachers' contract expected ratification by month's end.
💬 Discussed
Spring assessment season underway with AP exams, MCAS, and Civics testing; Deer Hill 5th grade project-based learning initiative highlighted as model of deeper learning.
💬 Discussed
April 2026 data showed approximately 20% of district students receive IEP-based special education services; new reporting format improves transparency on referrals and eligibility outcomes.
💬 Discussed
District received full compliance on all civil rights standards and full implementation on 39 of 40 special education standards, with only one minor finding — described as exceptionally rare results.
✅ Approved
Committee accepted a $1,000 PSO donation to support the district's Mosaic diversity event.
💰 $1,000 donation
🗳️ Voted on
Committee voted unanimously not to participate in Massachusetts School Choice for FY2027, citing a structural funding gap (~$5,000 received vs. ~$22,000 per-pupil cost) and risks from lottery-based enrollment without local control.
💰 ~$5,000/student revenue vs. ~$22,000/student cost if opted in
💬 Discussed
Committee formally recognized Mr. Squatrito as his appointed term concluded, presenting a commemorative plaque for his service and student-centered perspective.
✅ Approved
Committee awarded Dr. Sarah Shannon an Exemplary rating across all four DESE leadership standards for the 2025–2026 year.
✅ Approved
Committee voted unanimously to award Dr. Shannon the maximum discretionary bonus of $10,000 under her contract's Section 8 provision, citing exceptional leadership during the FY27 budget crisis.
💰 $10,000 bonus
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 8:19 PM.
May 6, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine meeting opening.
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the Committee.
📋 Proposed
Students present a showcase of the Coh-Lab-oration program.
📍 143 Pond Street, Cohasset, MA 02025
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on a proposal for students to participate in NHSMUN 2027.
📋 Proposed
Superintendent provides a general district update.
📋 Proposed
Progress report on the current year's district-wide goals.
📋 Proposed
Update on current academic programs and instructional initiatives.
📋 Proposed
State DESE (Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education) monitoring findings and the district's response plan are presented, including data-sharing practices.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes to accept a gift from the Parent School Organization; amount not specified in agenda.
📋 Proposed
Routine updates from subcommittees and community liaisons.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on Cohasset's School Choice participation, which determines whether out-of-district students can enroll and affects per-pupil funding.
📋 Proposed
Committee recognizes Mr. Jake Squatrito.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on the Superintendent's performance evaluation and compensation.
📋 Proposed
Vote to approve prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Committee may enter closed session; purpose to be stated at meeting per Chapter 30A.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourned.
April 30, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Current-year budget status reviewed — coming up April 30 at 10 AM, 143 Pond Street.
📍 143 Pond Street, Cohasset, MA 02025
📋 Proposed
Subcommittee will work on the FY27 school budget development process.
📍 143 Pond Street, Cohasset, MA 02025
📋 Proposed
Continued FY27 budget discussions — details and figures not yet specified in agenda.
📍 143 Pond Street, Cohasset, MA 02025
April 15, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine meeting opening.
• Status unclear
Residents may address the committee.
💬 Discussed
Mr. Luvisi and students present on the Harvard Model Congress trip.
💬 Discussed
Dr. Brandon Wiley presents on Challenge Success, a program addressing student workload and well-being.
📋 Proposed
Alternative Energy Committee presents proposed solar installations at two elementary schools; requires committee vote.
📍 Deer Hill School and Joseph Osgood School
📋 Proposed
Mr. Brian Scott presents the updated High School Program of Studies for committee approval.
📋 Proposed
Mr. John Scopelleti presents the updated Middle School Program of Studies for committee approval.
📋 Proposed
Superintendent recommends appointing Beth Wilcox as Assistant Superintendent; requires committee vote.
📋 Proposed
Update on Cohasset Public Schools' before and after school program; requires committee vote.
💬 Discussed
Review of Title 1 federal funding program serving lower-income students.
💬 Discussed
Mr. Stapleton presents an update on student data sharing practices; requires no vote noted.
💬 Discussed
Mairead Boulrisse and Lauren Flynn present on specialized writing instruction initiatives.
💬 Discussed
Monthly budget and finance update from Mrs. Susan Owen.
💬 Discussed
Update on capital projects across the school district.
📋 Proposed
Formal public hearing on whether Cohasset will participate in School Choice (M.G.L. Ch. 76, §12B) for 2026-2027, allowing students from other districts to enroll.
💬 Discussed
Reports from School Committee subcommittees and liaisons.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Committee may enter executive session by roll call vote; purpose and reconvening in public to be stated at meeting.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned.