Cohasset School Committee Reorganizes and Launches High-Stakes Building Committee for Secondary Schools

COHASSET - May 20, 2026 - Following the recent town election, the Cohasset School Committee reorganized its leadership roster and officially established the comprehensive School Building Committee required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The newly formed panel will serve as the governing body to oversee the renovation or construction project targeting the town’s middle and high school facilities. Additionally, the district celebrated a massive $101,210 technology and learning grant from the Cohasset Education Foundation (CEF) to offset recent baseline budget sacrifices.

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The meeting opened with a reorganization following the town’s annual election. Lance Dial, who served in the leadership role for two years, declined to seek another term as chair due to professional time constraints. Committee member Corey Evans was nominated and elected as the new Chair in a 3-1 vote, with one abstention. Craig MacLellan was subsequently chosen to serve as Vice Chair, and Lance Dial was unanimously re-elected as Secretary after new member Danielle Ziady opted to first get her “sea legs” on the board.

Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon introduced the evening’s primary structural milestone: the formalization of the MSBA School Building Committee roster. Currently navigating the “eligibility phase” (Phase 1), Cohasset was required to submit its finalized committee composition to the state by June 1st. The sprawling committee merges stakeholders from town governance, school leadership, and private industry. Key members include Town Manager Michelle Leary, Select Board member Will Ashton, School Committee representative Craig MacLellan, and Facilities Director Nick Berardi. Notably, the MSBA has introduced a new mandate requiring active student voices; Cohasset’s panel will feature five local middle and high school students.