Retiring Cohasset Central Office Mainstays Honored as District Shifts Operations and Secures State Windfall
COHASSET - June 24, 2026 - The Cohasset School Committee marked a historic transition point during its final meeting of the school year, formally recognizing the retirements of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Leslie Scollins and Director of Finance and Operations Susan Owen. Amid the emotional departures, the committee approved a new comprehensive athletics handbook, streamlined elementary school policies, and announced a surprise $70,000 state earmark secured by Senator Patrick O’Connor to restore vital department head positions for the upcoming school year.
The Full Story
The meeting opened with high praise and presentations for Dr. Leslie Scollins and Susan Owen, who collectively guided central office administration through severe municipal headwinds, deep pandemic-era adaptations, and two superintendent transitions. Committee members commended Owen’s fiscal discipline and resilient optimism in navigating countless budget cycles, alongside her pivotal work in upgrading the district’s top-tier food service program. Dr. Scollins was celebrated for her steady academic stewardship—ranging from elementary literacy programming to mentoring and retaining incoming instructional talent.
“Between Leslie, Pat, and I, we really did try and figure things out as we went along... It’s been phenomenal for me to watch what’s happened just in the six years I’ve been here. The leadership team, the staff, the bus drivers—they all put their heart so much into their jobs.” — Susan Owen, Retiring Director of Finance and Operations
Shifting to operations, the committee heard an extensive presentation from Alternative Energy Committee representative Doran Hole regarding proposed rooftop solar arrays at the Deer Hill and Joseph Osgood elementary schools. Hole reported that only a single bid was received from local partner Palmer Capital. Crucially, because the developer did not pursue a safe-harboring strategy ahead of a July 4th federal investment tax credit sunset, Hole noted there is no longer a rush to sign a binding document. The proposal, which estimates an impressive 25% utility bill savings (approximately $50,000 annually), will remain under advisement through the summer while National Grid addresses regional substation grid congestion and the town aligns the solar rollout with scheduled roof reconstructions.
