Budget Concerns Prompt Cohasset Schools to Seek Financial Analysis

District faces potential shortfalls, explores options to maintain electric bus program

COHASSET, MA - October 16 - The Cohasset School District is taking proactive steps to address potential budget shortfalls by engaging a financial analysis firm to review its finances and provide recommendations for closing budget gaps.

During the Oct. 16 school committee meeting, Superintendent Sarah Shannon announced the district will work with Open Architects, an organization that specializes in financial analysis for municipalities.

"They come in and do a financial overview. They look in analyze our finances in 10 different areas and they assess our risk in all areas and they provide us with recommendations as to how we can make adjustments," Shannon said.

The district expects to be at a deficit at the end of the year, even after using all of its circuit breaker funds. Open Architects will analyze the big picture and provide recommendations on how to close that gap.

The process is expected to take six to eight weeks, with results anticipated in mid-December. The service comes at a flat fee of $9,500, which Shannon believes will be more than offset by the savings identified.

"We are optimistic that they are going to be able to help us identify a stronger path forward than we would have been able to do ourselves," Shannon said.

The budget concerns come as the district faces several financial challenges, including loss of grant funding and increased costs from out-of-district providers.

Susan Owen, director of finance and operations, reported the district is currently projecting a $263,140 shortfall in special education tuition costs. Additionally, utility costs are projected to be over budget by about $200,000.

Owen emphasized these numbers are preliminary and subject to change throughout the year. The district is closely monitoring accounts and proceeding with caution.

In a separate but equally pressing matter, the district's electric school bus program faces uncertainty after Enel X, the company providing the bus and charging infrastructure, announced it is leaving the U.S. market.

"We've been notified that Enel X, which is the lead company in our electric bus project, is no longer in the United States and it's no longer supporting electric buses or chargers," Owen said.

The district is working to determine the implications of Enel X's exit. Questions remain about ongoing maintenance, charging costs, and software support for the electric bus.

"There's a lot of unanswered questions right now," Owen said. "We're still trying to ascertain what exactly the status is."

Previously, Enel X had covered costs associated with charging the bus and had committed to assisting with maintenance. These responsibilities may now fall back on the district.

Committee members expressed concern about the potential financial impact of maintaining the electric bus program without Enel X's support.

In other business, the committee received an update on the district's capital budget priorities. Top items include replacing window shades in all buildings, upgrading security cameras, and replacing furniture in main offices and classrooms.

The committee also heard a presentation on a proposed French exchange program for the 2025-2026 school year. The program would involve 20 students traveling to Strasbourg, France, during February break.

Robert Erlandsen, a science teacher at the middle school, presented arguments in favor of a ballot initiative to remove MCAS scores as a graduation requirement. While the committee declined to take an official position on the issue, they thanked Erlandsen for sharing his perspective.