[{"_1":2,"_136":-5,"_137":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112,124],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6360925,"mediaKeyId","2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263","parentId",2171984,"title","Votes at a glance: Jan. 15 Triton School Committee — adjournment","audioSeconds",33,"startMs",9147000,"endMs",9180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263&start=9147&end=9180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263/thumbnail_9147000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360925/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Jan-15-Triton-School-Committee-adjournment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360925-43b9a76756b494df36f29b63eeed9ec4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582158&Signature=LtuW5T3e8kd4JXkXQlkxt3J3rURm9eqCt3QLs7JRBAPW3XZpGSj8htspgyAiv5R6zf4XTgo9y2z2OaPmNB~9WKkWmVlfbRXLCKuXir6ytj75tTZTgORQnBP68APIFdhNdkYF18jJqoQ34mlj6uP5Mj8Sz7KDB0BUR7VqYvqTzVZcUKudzs8ekG0ctoXervqQa2omaZmeG6DOwwQ44q6fCMC4-xrP5XUssUv0nehipZIgaumUMIPr9MBoKdRi6bI9jYgA2MDhD5V5vHgXL-EWIJRw9uUGMsSMV5eSkVl8T1PCbXAPAeEhJFsUoHKqM-HrZkjJJil-7QXO9tXc5rnaVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Triton Regional School District, MA","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Triton Regional School Committee concluded its Jan. 15 meeting with a unanimous roll-call vote to adjourn.

The motion to adjourn was made and seconded during the meeting; committee members recorded “yes” on the roll call. The meeting record shows the following votes: Erin — yes; Caitlin — yes; Paul Goldner — yes; Kelly — yes; Matthew — yes; Nerissa — yes; Paul Maiett — yes; Paul Lees — yes; Linda Lukovsky (chair) — yes.

Nut graf: No FY26 budget motions or formal approvals were taken at this meeting; the presentations were for informational and prioritization purposes ahead of the Jan. 25 budget workshop.

Ending: The committee adjourned and set follow-up budget meetings and a workshop date for further prioritization.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Triton School Committee Budget Presentation 1-15-2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Jan. 15 meeting the Triton Regional School Committee unanimously approved a motion to adjourn by roll call; no other formal votes on budgets were taken.","taxTitle","Triton Regional School District, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",69227,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360932,"District operations outline: stabilization, OPEB, director of operations proposal and maintenance funds",427,5257000,5684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263&start=5257&end=5684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263/thumbnail_5257000.jpg","/articles/6360932/Massachusetts/District-operations-outline-stabilization-OPEB-director-of-operations-proposal-and-maintenance-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360932-4beaee2bd94f459c1c6d171053d43534/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582158&Signature=BSTX-6ICGeHTLR07kF5mRZgbsGW0vNIBRLAsE0VQCmWv-9Dfst8xqeNuLZkd0Ha1-ABt9GKHWkJKCHvo9KZ9dgiSCNlbRiB0mfY3wMm0frrLfcN2WXUcoxsHjXIDGu75OVteA52PjRbKBd1mXFsf83fl7x6kMLUl1-DuJtGRfTJCUKUfx1MoqIc9ejVI767O5vJloh3Y9rPZeEnj1l9~AKIl6AxpKajnpwboINOon2FkwI3CLuIx9cHsPq7EKbvOqYPjw5IsVYtGRHa7WFrs8XkrwtfCT23Vv9g~FU0ygqSwgsse40EYCuSkonq1ANs9azS68eUAC2admQb5~B8ZnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Brian Fordgett and Director of Finance and Operations Brian Perry presented district-level FY26 requests on Jan. 15 that focus on long-term fiscal stability, an administrative restructure and recurring operating pressures.

Fordgett proposed continuing a multi-year commitment to stabilization and other post-employment benefits (OPEB), with $150,000 suggested for the FY26 budget as part of a multi-year plan that would build a larger reserve ahead of borrowing for an MSBA project. “We have said for the long term health and viability of this district…it is important,” he said.

Nut graf: The administration also proposed reshaping facilities into a director of operations role that would add transportation and district safety oversight while backfilling facilities responsibilities. That restructuring carries a proposed $100,000 net budget increase. Separately, administrators proposed a $100,000 district maintenance line to smooth capital repairs under the district’s $20,000 threshold rule and a $25,000 one-time startup for an in-house instrument repair shop to refurbish donated and district-owned band instruments.

Fordgett said the director-of-operations redesign would move the current facilities manager to broader oversight of facilities, transportation and safety and then refill a facilities manager role for day-to-day work. “It would take the current position… and turn that into a director of operations,” he said, adding that the change responds to how transportation and facilities work evolved and consume an outsized share of the business office’s time.

On utilities, the district plans to smooth the reduction of solar credits so electricity cost increases are phased in; officials proposed incrementally drawing down solar credits rather than letting a sudden spike occur once credits are exhausted. The administration also noted major budget drivers outside its control: rising health insurance renewal estimates (a high-end planning assumption of 15% was used), an Essex County retirement assessment increase (~$135,000) and continued upward pressure on special-education transportation and related staffing.

Ending: Fordgett said administration will present a prioritization document before the Jan. 25 budget workshop; the committee did not vote on these district-level requests at the Jan. 15 meeting.","Administrators presented district-level FY26 requests including $150,000 stabilization/OPEB contributions, a proposed director of operations role (reworking facilities into broader operations including transportation and safety) with a $100,000 net cost, a $100,000 district maintenance line and a $25,000 instrument repair shop proposal.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360935,"Student services budget seeks more ETC time, specialized staff, and higher transportation funding",1041,3344000,4385000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263&start=3344&end=4385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263/thumbnail_3344000.jpg","/articles/6360935/Massachusetts/Student-services-budget-seeks-more-ETC-time-specialized-staff-and-higher-transportation-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360935-60dc71cc4d54f05dcbb170deb4e77646/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582158&Signature=cm5WI8b0wwpyLG16c0XS7erB1tdl-nS2TK0uVPC5pzgjMn47Y3zJcHULJkzU9nDCIoBJkT6mZSYEZQqLBrjLSYhFwRBT~bmO2UgaWV7E6EtROc1R4aipRFQXMLB89Z2f560bXJAr-C-9fBDJf0oztrgSOKrYiTTAxfzScyUM8-Cm7qXZlsREJs118jHK5jGUuAb2LvExkc8ygcUSNyRfun4mmWy-Z3F5~VUvkw-UmcLteYB7OCQJFbegIsHJkCXL0IJvFgpu93ZRvikvEjfdNY7Gk-g57rXktnRKduj6TjmN23EmqoBBx8KkWkRBWsGMqUJlQ13IRcJ~3LRPOQUn1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director of Student Services Shannon Nolan told the Triton Regional School Committee on Jan. 15 that the FY26 student services budget responds to increasing behavioral and medical complexity among students and seeks to expand in-district capacity.

Nolan asked the committee to convert the three elementary ETC positions (currently 0.5 FTE at each elementary) to full-time roles, saying part-time schedules impede timely IEP meetings, family engagement and compliance with special-education timelines. “The ETC position also includes other responsibilities other than facilitating meetings… meeting deadlines is huge,” she said.

Nut graf: Nolan’s budget request includes staff proposed to reduce out-of-district placements and costly contracted services: a 0.5 speech-language assistant at Newbury to support AAC device work, a 0.5 TLC coordinator to supervise an in-district therapeutic/communication program, a registered behavioral technician (RBT) for elementary Reach programming, a part-time (0.5) or alternatively full-time school psychologist to reduce contracted testing costs, and two instructional assistants to cover potential 1:1 and 18–22 transition program needs. She also requested a roughly $148,000 increase in special-education transportation reflecting in-district placements and monitoring needs.

Nolan said about 11 students in the TLC program use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and that device training and insurance paperwork consumes substantial SLP time: “Most of those students… use an AAC device,” she said, and contracting outside specialists can cost roughly $200 per hour.

She reported lower out-of-district tuition needs this year because the district kept more students in-district and noted a decrease of about $308,000 in out-of-district tuition in the proposed budget. Nolan and administrators flagged rising special-education transportation costs stemming from increased in-district programs, required monitors or nurses on buses, and vendor driver shortages that sometimes require higher-cost alternatives.

Ending: The committee will weigh Nolan’s requests during the FY26 prioritization process; no personnel actions were taken at the meeting.","Director Shannon Nolan asked the committee to convert three elementary special-education ETC (evaluation, transition, case) positions from 0.5 to full-time, add specialized assistants (SLPA, RBT), a TLC coordinator, a part-time school psychologist, and additional special-education transportation funding amid rising in-district services demand.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360941,"Curriculum budget focuses on instructional materials, professional development shifts",356,2320000,2676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263&start=2320&end=2676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263/thumbnail_2320000.jpg","/articles/6360941/Massachusetts/Curriculum-budget-focuses-on-instructional-materials-professional-development-shifts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360941-fec40c09b4f8af78351eabb6043eed0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582158&Signature=VHH61ij4QKrZqX8UOU0tz3Ij67TRTtcXFW4Evm9KuODcjQkiNaQ9FJG18W0n6GuyJegaFA3iRrisaec1VgmCEkGXy4QCodY-jCNqTh1so5afensrnAEkd0VL8IHXFKCCIUCMfpcngfVFvcdaUnAWQk5tXJR8hapn-a59ssHgnmW375wpi0geZUS9nv1mABu59i3XIHlZ6iRav1Rr30pCSi2LCi1luEh-WvpptdgS6eVj6j9P~uO3kA8CQDViUeVWqYK2tlWQ3xLtcx5bg45BuNVSiVD04~pN4W5A8THjeBo1E3SkDlwo4ZS0VF6IHNPN913S2HZ73B24zvTTAUYBPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Dr. Anna Bates told the Triton Regional School Committee on Jan. 15 that the FY26 curriculum budget prioritizes high-quality instructional materials and professional development focused on building internal capacity.

“We ensure that students have access to learning experiences that are supported with high quality instructional materials and that we're also supporting our staff so that they can skillfully implement these materials,” Bates said.

Nut graf: Bates said the district’s four-stage curriculum review process is driving targeted purchases and implementation spending for expected adoptions in math and grade 5 social studies; at the same time, the professional development line falls because local staff have become trainers for peers and some earlier consultant-heavy supports are winding down.

Bates outlined specific line changes: a decrease in outside professional-development expenses as adoptions move from pilot to implementation; a $7,500 increase in course reimbursement to meet contractual obligations; roughly $15,000 more for instructional materials (licenses and end-of-license renewals); and nearly $10,000 more in contracted services to maintain benchmark assessments and evaluation platforms. She said some costs previously funded by grants are now shifting to the general fund as grant cycles end.

On specific adoptions, Bates said the district is piloting math programs and expects to recommend a middle- and high-school math resource in spring; grade 5 social studies uses an open-source, DESE-linked resource and can be implemented with little printing cost. There are no requested staffing changes in her budget.

Ending: Bates said she will return with formal recommendations as pilots conclude; the committee did not vote on the curriculum budget at the meeting.","Director Anna Bates presented the FY26 curriculum and professional development budget, citing stage-based curriculum review, upcoming math and social studies adoptions, and a reduction in purchased PD as in-house expertise grows.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360946,"New technology director intends year-long assessment; Chromebook lease finishes FY26",184,1994000,2178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263&start=1994&end=2178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263/thumbnail_1994000.jpg","/articles/6360946/Massachusetts/New-technology-director-intends-year-long-assessment-Chromebook-lease-finishes-FY26","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360946-f14862d491b9fca04f02cee2b90eea91/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582158&Signature=QOMKNzPtkSjrNKqvaLXjO3lZ2cDC2DvpweEgdAl3xf6SlXAoFFAm8p3kjK0lK9LoXczXGnc5TRC0TumAKDwHPqDKwyqFrJKBvL7XXDaN389pHTtI8l9ezZnk5OyEJUcJCU25AVRS2~-rsB3khiZjtxmzrXWMkdY3I2uYTKn~ffHLSXac5KWGCFshNohSKuRdrqVMrEpt8OxosU7i8qY69tF8wuxpUqin2t5bWd0sYRmaqaIALsraYT4ABTof-XkRaaDJ7eLueCneA4j9Dez~8Xw5xcEpqJrlIpio0nuzjcQNQolXtoXL6ujnrFJsV~WmtzGLAqK3A7gUdMzwGlHwog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Kwiatak, who began as Triton’s director of technology about six weeks before the Jan. 15 meeting, said he is not requesting new FY26 funds beyond an already-planned $50,000 Chromebook implementation payment that completes the district’s four-year device lease cycle.

“Since I’ve only had just over 6 weeks actually of of time in the district… I don't have any specific request to make of the budget at this time, until I really get the lay of the land and understand what is needed for the district,” Kwiatak said, describing a year-long assessment of infrastructure, classroom technology and contracts.

Nut graf: The Chromebook lease payment will be the final annual installment that brings Triton to a 1:1 device model for students in grades 1, 5 and 9; Kwiatak and district leaders said the lease approach lets the district refresh devices on a four-year cycle.

Kwiatak said he brings network and systems experience, including recent projects funded with ESSER and ECF grants in other districts. Superintendent Brian Fordgett told the committee the district and Kwiatak will evaluate whether current outsourced network administration arrangements should continue or be reduced based on his skill set.

District officials said the Chromebook fund is a recurring, planned charge in FY26 only: “The only FY26 increase that is currently in place is the planned $50k Chromebook implementation to bring us to the complete 1 to 1 model,” Kwiatak said. He added that any other technology changes will follow his assessment and a longer-term plan.

Ending: The committee did not take action; Kwiatak will return with any recommended budget changes after a year of assessment and as the FY26 process continues.","John Kwiatak, the district's new director of technology, told the committee he will spend the year assessing systems; FY26 includes the final $50,000 Chromebook lease payment to complete the 1:1 rollout for grades 1, 5 and 9.",{"_33":125,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":126,"_41":127,"_43":128,"_45":129,"_47":130,"_49":131,"_51":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":134,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":135,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360950,"Triton athletics budget seeks esports, girls flag football, one coach FTE",390,445000,835000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263&start=445&end=835","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171984-d9aa69e27f025154d7ee8ae601f8c263/thumbnail_445000.jpg","/articles/6360950/Massachusetts/Triton-athletics-budget-seeks-esports-girls-flag-football-one-coach-FTE","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360950-d1ce654e3b2ccbe3356870c689844e11/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582158&Signature=Avsya6i5hdT1iQHNNe-skw8gM1YOoygVkUGJxcP1Vtom4TCptGPw9Kq2bmg~YHqwSuJA-80WR8kEb793dmcpT424Ns1nFApBZVVbd634XDU5-NvWtwGwaonrUXum02EPj33VzOcgDy46g95Rh953vuCdQ--kXXvSEWrhR6EiKATFsoCcEVEZ8OSlC-vRtMZ~-DzOc78fv25LSA1NeFu1WYYIPbnV5fwi5G0SGj9mA9qyQQYoPVmcQ2bkNnzY3yooCn94f0MwOJVuC9CUARWu3XFsikC7qOg17CfR0jCt0U3DlV9T1m-R2EgjbR6bHfaYpu4uNCg4HyO07Mpsms4joA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athletic Director Joel McKenna told the Triton Regional School Committee on Jan. 15 that the FY26 athletics budget requests one additional coaching full-time equivalent to launch esports and a girls flag-football program and to restructure unified sports support.

The budget “represents our mission to create opportunities for student athletes to compete in an environment, celebrating teamwork,” McKenna said, and he described staff, contracted services and equipment as the primary cost centers. “We're currently operating at a FTE of 58, staff members, who are coaches, assistant coaches, middle school coaches, and unified sports coaches. We are looking to add 1 additional coach FTE for FY26.”

Nut graf: The committee heard that community interest and student demand are driving the new programs and that some recurring costs — notably athletic training, facility rentals and officials’ fees — are rising. McKenna said the athletic trainer contract with Mass General Brigham moves from $48,000 this year to $56,550 in the second year of the two-year agreement.

McKenna said esports and girls flag football have local support: esports would start largely using students’ own devices and existing school PCs, with fundraising to cover initial equipment and a coaching stipend. “Right now...kids are able to use their own equipment,” he said, and the program’s adviser described a model where teams can be largely self-sufficient at start-up. McKenna added that about 15 students have expressed interest so far.

The unified sports program will be restructured to include a dedicated strength-and-conditioning role. McKenna said the district expects the Special Olympics grant to cover about 50% of that position in the next year and potentially a larger share thereafter. “It’s being supported 50% right now by the Special Olympics grant…we would cover 50% of it next year,” he said.

Committee members asked about esports hardware costs. McKenna and other administrators said the plan is to rely on student-owned equipment and existing on-campus labs at launch, with fundraising and potential grant applications to fund school-owned systems later. On staffing, McKenna said the unified sports staffing changes represent restructuring rather than elimination: “We’re gonna have 2 coaches with the basketball program, and then 1…for the strength and conditioning program,” he said.

The budget also anticipates increases in contracted services (swimming/diving ice time, sport security details, officials and transportation) and a 3% rise in officials’ fees tied to MIAA agreements. McKenna said transportation costs assume a 2.5% increase based on recent seasons and contract terms with NRT.

Ending: The committee did not vote on the athletics budget presentation; the request will be included among FY26 budget priorities for follow-up at the committee’s workshop and subsequent meetings.","Athletic Director Joel McKenna presented the FY26 athletics budget including one new coach FTE to add esports and girls flag football, a restructured unified sports strength-and-conditioning role funded in part by a Special Olympics grant, and rising contracted services costs including athletic trainer fees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Jan. 15 Triton School Committee — adjournment

District operations outline: stabilization, OPEB, director of operations proposal and maintenance funds

Student services budget seeks more ETC time, specialized staff, and higher transportation funding

Curriculum budget focuses on instructional materials, professional development shifts

New technology director intends year-long assessment; Chromebook lease finishes FY26

Triton athletics budget seeks esports, girls flag football, one coach FTE