Cohasset Schools Face $2.9 Million Budget Gap, Warn of Staff Cuts

School Committee · Meeting of January 21, 2026

Cohasset schools face a potential $2.9 million budget gap that administrators say could force teacher layoffs and program cuts. Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon presented a first-pass FY27 budget of $27,781,099 — an 11.88 percent increase, or $2,950,510 over current spending — while the town is expected to offer roughly 6 percent, leaving a gap Shannon said would require cuts to teaching positions, student support staff, and high school programming.

The committee also voted 4-0 to appoint Kerry Simmons as Director of Finance and Operations effective July 1, 2026, and heard Assistant Superintendent Dr. Leslie Scollins announce her retirement effective September 26, 2026. Committee member Lance C.

Dial warned the next round of cuts "will absolutely impact the caliber of the education we're offering," while a resident commenting online calculated the additional funding needed to roughly $400 per Cohasset household. A joint presentation with the Select Board and Advisory Committee is set for February 10, with a public budget hearing March 18 and a committee vote March 25.

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Source: the School Committee meeting of January 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.