The Triton Regional School Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to certify design-enrollment figures with the Massachusetts School Building Authority and to appropriate $1.7 million from the district's stabilization fund to pay for a feasibility study for the Triton Regional Middle and High School on the Byfield campus.

The votes set the student counts MSBA will use to size a replacement or renovation and authorize the district to spend stabilization money on the study now that the district has been invited into the MSBA process. The actions move the district closer to a feasibility study agreement MSBA staff expect to draft after the committee’s materials appear on the MSBA board agenda Oct. 29.

Committee Chair Linda Lukovsky opened the meeting and confirmed members were present before the discussion on MSBA submissions and timeline. Superintendent (chief executive officer) summarized work already submitted to the MSBA, including the statement of interest, establishment of the school building committee and enrollment-projection materials. The superintendent said maintenance and capital-planning documentation is being finalized because it can increase MSBA reimbursement for the feasibility phase, and told members, “We know that the reimbursement for the feasibility portion will be 47 and a half percent.”

Matt Landers, chair of the district’s school building committee, described a June 13 call with MSBA staff to set design enrollments. “For 7 through 12, they agreed to 895,” Landers said. He explained that figure combines a baseline projection (775), an adjustment for school-choice students returning (45) and projected new development (75). For a 6–12 configuration the MSBA agreed to a design enrollment of 1,070 (baseline plus choice and new-development adjustments). Landers told the committee the figure will drive space needs—classrooms, cafeteria capacity and square footage—through the feasibility study.

After discussion, the committee voted by roll call to authorize the chair and superintendent to sign the enrollment-certification form. The roll-call vote was recorded as: Erin (yes); Paul Goldner (yes); Caitlin (yes); Matt Landers (yes); Paul Lees (yes); Paul Maiette (yes); Kelly Smolin (yes); Nerissa (yes); Ami (yes). The motion passed unanimously.

The second formal action was the appropriation of $1,700,000 from the district’s stabilization fund to pay for the MSBA feasibility study. Matt Landers explained the figure was based on a median from MSBA project data and would be split between the design team and the owner’s project manager (OPM). Landers noted the district will put the work out to bid and that the MSBA reimburses its share after bills are submitted. The committee’s motion—read aloud for the record—specified that any MSBA grant would reduce the district appropriation and that any costs exceeding MSBA grants would be the district’s responsibility. Nerissa read the appropriation motion and a member seconded; the measure passed by unanimous roll call (Erin, Paul Goldner, Caitlin, Matt Landers, Paul Lees, Paul Maiette, Kelly Smolin, Nerissa, Ami all voting yes).

Members and staff described next steps: finalizing the maintenance/capital documentation this week, continuing the school building committee meetings (monthly, with the next scheduled for Aug. 14), holding focused visioning sessions with educators and selected community members in late September and Oct. 15, and, if MSBA acceptance proceeds as expected, selecting an OPM and design team in late 2025 or early 2026 to begin module 3 (the feasibility study phase).

The committee emphasized that the certified design enrollments are the basis for the remainder of the design process and are unlikely to change. Committee members stressed outreach will expand once a design team is on board so the broader community can review educational priorities before architects produce final design options.

Votes at a glance: the committee voted unanimously to (1) certify MSBA design enrollments (7–12 at 895; 6–12 at 1,070) and (2) appropriate $1,700,000 from the stabilization fund to pay for the MSBA feasibility study, subject to reduction by any MSBA grant.

The meeting adjourned after the two votes; committee members said they expect further votes after the feasibility study agreement is finalized.