Cohasset Schools Face $1.2M Budget Gap, Consider Staff Cuts

District explores fee increases and reductions to address shortfall; officials stress need for balanced budget in FY26

COHASSET - January 22 and February 5 - Cohasset Public Schools are grappling with a projected $1.2 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, prompting officials to consider staff reductions and increased student fees to balance the books. They also grapple with a shortfall in the current fiscal year.

Superintendent Sarah Shannon presented the preliminary budget outlook for fiscal year 2026 at a school committee meeting on Feb. 5. The district is facing rising costs and limited revenue growth, leading to difficult decisions ahead.

"We need to create a FY26 budget that is a balanced budget, that is fiscally responsible," Shannon said.

The district is looking at potential salary and supply reductions totaling $575,000. Shannon emphasized that officials are trying to minimize impacts on student-facing positions.

"We worked really hard to first look at non-student facing positions because we really are trying so hard not to impact what happens in the classroom," she said.

However, School Committee Chair Craig MacLellan cautioned that some cuts may be unavoidable.

"This would reduce the amount of human resources that we have at Cohasset Public Schools, and some of those may very well be student-facing positions if deemed necessary," MacLellan said.

To help close the gap, the district is considering reinstating a $3,000 fee for full-day kindergarten, which could generate about $300,000 in revenue. Officials are also weighing increases to transportation and athletic fees.

A proposed two-tier athletic fee structure would raise the standard fee from $250 to $350 per student, with a higher $500 fee for more expensive sports like hockey, swimming and football. This could bring in an additional $64,000.

Other revenue ideas include introducing a $60-$100 yearly student activity fee and implementing a $2 daily parking fee for high school students.

Shannon noted the district is constrained by limited state funding increases. Cohasset receives less Chapter 70 aid than many districts due to its demographics.

"Because we're a smaller district, we have fewer expenses. And we don't spend as much money," Shannon said. "Every school still has to have the same amount of staffing in some ways. You still need to have a principal in every school."

The budget challenges come as the district is in contract negotiations with all five of its unions, adding uncertainty to future salary costs.

Some committee members expressed concerns about potential impacts on educational quality and student experiences.

"I hope we continue this conversation in subsequent years around the quality of education," said a committee member. "Our job is to educate students and the students need to be here."

Shannon emphasized that student safety remains a top priority amid the budget discussions.

"I would not want this to come across as if we have a major safety issue," she said in response to concerns raised about athletic programs.

The school committee will continue budget deliberations in the coming weeks. A joint meeting with the Select Board and Advisory Committee is planned for March 19, with a final budget vote expected on April 2.

At a Jan. 22 school committee meeting, Director of Finance and Operations Susan Owen reported that the district has expended over $10 million of its $23.9 million budget through December. With projected payrolls and encumbered materials, the total rises to $14.58 million, leaving the estimated shortfall at $740,000.

"Not a great number but this is definitely a decrease over last month. So, the budget freeze is starting to help and lowering our shortfall," Owen said.

Superintendent Sarah Shannon shared insights from a preliminary financial review conducted by an external consultant. The review found that current financial processes are sound and the deficit is not a result of mismanagement.

"The reason that we're in this situation is not unlike what Ms. Owen has shared, is that though the town has funded the schools above net school spending, the appropriation doesn't necessarily meet our current needs," Shannon explained.

The consultant emphasized that the district is running a lean budget with little room for cuts. Increased costs outside the district's control have contributed to the financial strain.

Shannon expressed hope that the budget freeze will continue to reduce the deficit. "We closed the budget in November. We are finally seeing some of the fruits of that freeze," she said. "I'm hoping to continue to close that remaining gap by June 30th, knowing that we are likely not going to close the whole gap."

Parallel to addressing budget concerns, the district has launched its strategic planning process. Shannon reported that seven forums have been held with various stakeholders, including staff, students, families, and municipal representatives.

"We're grateful for everybody who has taken the time to participate in these forms," Shannon said. "The information has been really robust and we're looking forward to pulling it all together with TLA to use as data that we can use to building our strategic plan."

To gather additional input, the district plans to send out a community-wide survey to families, students in grades 6-12, and the wider community, including recent graduates.

"My hope sort of sneak peek ahead that we had over 500 respondents to our survey about vacations and so I'm hoping that maybe we get just as much interest in this survey about the future of the district as well," Shannon added.

The survey will be open for about two weeks, with results expected to shape the district's approach to education in the coming years.

In other business, the committee heard a presentation from Jack Kearney, a student representative on the superintendent's student advisory council. Kearney provided updates on student life, including feedback on the upcoming cell phone policy implementation and suggestions for improved communication about the reasoning behind such changes.

The committee also approved school district goals for the year, aligning them with the current strategic plan's focus areas of teaching and learning, social-emotional growth, resources, and community engagement.

Full meetings available via the Town of Cohasset YouTube. January 22 and February 5.