Triton committee approves FY27 final budget to send to three towns

The Triton Regional School Committee on March 11 approved a final FY27 budget of $57,222,568 to send to the district's three towns for voter consideration.

The budget presentation by Rich, the district's director of finance and operations, showed a net increase of $2,566,779 from the prior year and a combined assessment to the three towns of $46,260,884. Rich told the committee the combined general operating, capital and debt expense totaled $57,222,568; operating expenditures were listed at $56,957,374 and capital at $6,265,194. He said some savings in healthcare allowed the district to restore a VPA (visual and performing arts) position and reduce but not eliminate an English Learner position cut.

Why it matters: The committee must send the final budget to the three towns; the budget requires approval by voters in at least two of those towns to take effect. Committee members framed the vote as a choice between limiting harm to students and the fiscal capacity of each member town.

During discussion, committee member Paul Goldner said he planned to vote against the budget. "I intend to vote no on this budget tonight because of the harm that it will do, I believe, to our students," Goldner said, and urged the district to pursue more structural changes to costs and earlier community engagement. Chair Linda Lukovsky responded that the committee had taken available steps and balanced district educational needs with what the three towns can realistically bear.

Several members noted the regional context: the district's communications committee had recently met with state legislators about Chapter 70 funding, special education costs and transportation pressures. The superintendent also reminded the public of calendar matters, including the current last day of school (Thursday, June 18) and Juneteenth observance on June 19.

Public comment before the vote included a student plea from Ariana Deshedue, a Triton High School sophomore, who urged the committee to protect arts programs and described the arts as "a sanctuary" for many students. Committee members referenced that testimony in their deliberations while weighing program restorations and reductions.

The committee made and seconded a motion to approve the FY27 final budget to send to the three towns; a voice vote was called. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally or written vote result on the record. The budget now proceeds to town meetings and local votes; if two of the three towns do not approve it, the committee must reconvene to revise and resubmit the budget.

The district also flagged that some personnel counts on the roster reflect temporary grant-funded positions (for example, a one-year grant co-teacher at Salisbury Elementary) that do not affect the general fund.