FY 2015 Documents and Updates

View documents here

March 12, 2014 Update:

Final Budget Approved: At its meeting on Wednesday, March 12 the Triton Regional School Committee approved its FY15 operating budget for consideration by Town Meetings in May. The budget proposes an increase in spending of 3.44% over the current year on operational expenditures, and an average increase in town assessments of 4%.

The budget approved yesterday maintains current services and programs into next year, provides for additional mandated special education services, installs WiFi access across the district, and provides the committee with a modest capacity to bargain new contracts in good faith. There will be some reduction in elementary school staffing as three retiring teachers will not be replaced. Class sizes will, however, remain consistent with district class size targets.

Over the past four years the committee has worked diligently with the administration to contain expenditure while offering quality opportunities to all our students. The district operating budget has increased by 0.24%, 1.62%, 2.08%, and 0.62% over the past four years, and an average of 1.51% over 5 years if the budget proposed for next year is included. The fundamental problem is that we are dealing with an outdated and under-resourced funding formula. State spending watchdogs estimate that there is an aggregate $2.2 billion shortfall in support for special education and health insurance costs alone. In the meantime the state continues to pass on unfunded mandates to school districts, while shifting the responsibility for funding public schools onto municipalities which are strapped by proposition 2.5.

February 26, 2014 Update:

The School Committee unanimously approved an Tentative Operating Budget for FY15 of $37,254,480, which reflects an increase in operating costs of 4.35% over the current year. This Tentative Budget is a provisional budget prepared in accordance with the budget development timeline set out in the Regional Agreement with the partner towns of Newbury, Rowley and Salisbury. The School Committee will hold a public hearing in the high school library at 7:30 pm on March 5, 2014, and subsequently approve the Final Budget on March 12, 2014.

There are four overarching themes to this proposed level service budget:

  1. Maintaining range and quality of current programs
  2. Building on recent developments
  3. Ensuring that mandated special education services are provided and are cost effective
  4. Connecting students to the world wide web for instructional purposes

FY 2014 Documents and Updates

View documents here

March 13, 2013 Update: Final Budget Approved:

The School Committee unanimously approved an Final Operating Budget for FY14 of $35,701,725, which reflects an increase in operating costs of 0.62% over the current year. This Final Budget provides the same level of services as outlined in great detail through the discussions on the Tentative Budget. The only changes were the result of continued negotiations on Health Care Plans. Due to changes which have been agreed by all employee bargaining units, the district will save over $450,000 compared to current year premium costs. These savings allowed the additional savings needed to produce a budget that was affordable to the Triton member towns.

Then Final FY14 Operating Budget can be downloaded via the links at the right.

February 13, 2013 Update:

The School Committee unanimously approved an Tentative Operating Budget for FY14 of $36,099,183, which reflects an increase in operating costs of 1.74% over the current year. This budget assumes modest revenue increases from the state, and represents significant cost savings in the areas of special education and utilities, which combined showed savings of over $400,000. This budget is further marked by a significant decrease in School Choice Out expenditures, which has shown remarkable decrease over this and next year, a sign of an improving confidence in the Triton Regional Schools.

The budget proposed is designed to maintain the level of current programs, class sizes, and services; to reflect the priority assigned to the District Literacy Development Plan; and to avoid significant out-of-district special education tuition costs.

At the right, you can find links to the full budget booklet, as well as the One Page Budget Summary, a new form implemented this year to provide a one page, two sides snapshot of the district standing and budget proposal.

The FY14 budget cycle began on Monday, January 14th with presentations from the principals and program managers that allowed for the School Committee to hear requests directly from district administrators. For each school, these requests were presented alongside the School Improvement Plans which outline the goals and objectives for the upcoming year. In addition, all district administrators presented their budget requests to the committee. Meetings were held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, January 14th – 16th from 6:00 to 8/8:30 PM each night.

FY 2013 Documents and Updates

View documents here

November 14, 2012 Update:

The School Committee met this evening for a regularly scheduled meeting. Based upon the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee during its October meeting, the full committee approved the FY13 Adjusted Budget as presented. The fall adjusted budget represents a more accurate picture of spending, primarily based upon personnel changes and hiring, as the final budget is determined 6 months prior to the start of the school year. It is important to note that this budget reflects no increase in spending or assessment over the final budget, only a more detailed reallocation of personnel resources. Click HERE to download a copy of the Adjusted Fall Budget.

March 14, 2012 Update:

The School Committee met this evening to and finalized the FY13 Operating Budget. The Final Operating Budget for Fiscal 2013 presented represents the continuation of current services as they stand today, a response to new mandates, and targeted developments designed to keep specific students with special needs in the district.  The budget is supported by a zero increase in health care costs, and significant savings in special education.  While this budget maintains services levels in place today, policy regarding class size is not fully adopted in that two additional Grade 5 teachers are not funded. The total operating increase amounts to  $721,721 or 2.08% more than the current year.

March 7, 2012 Update:

The School Committee met this evening to review the results of the public hearing this past Monday evening. In addition, the Administration provided various information in response to questions the Committee asked on Monday evening. Included at the right is a paper (Cuts From Tentative Scenarios) which takes a look at three cut scenarios working from the approved Tentative Budget. These denote the resulting total reduction to the budget and associated changes to the town assessments. It is important to note that these are three scenarios for illustration only, there are obviously many possibiities that remain in discussion.

In addition, the Superintendent reviewed potential cuts at the Middle and High School. many of which are not included in any of the scenarios. These included changes to World Language offerings at the Middle School, as well as changes in the class schedule and specials which would remove the affectiveness of the team model. Also discussed were possible reductions at the High School including the removal of Freshman athletics, non-replacement of the vacant Assistant Principal position, or the reduction of various courses with low enrollments. These included courses like Forensics, AP Chemistry, AP French, Ceramics, etc.

No decisions were made this evening, but the Committee asked for further cost detail on potential cuts to the District Curriculum/PD proposal, the Middle School, and the High School. These will be discussed along with a final vote on the FY13 Operating Budget next Wednesday, March 14th.

February 27, 2012 Update:

The School Committee will hold a public hearing on the Tentative FY13 Operating Budget on Wednesday, February 29th at 7.00 pm in the high school library.

The budget that has been proposed is essentiallya level service budgetdesigned to maintain current services and policies.

Some representatives of the towns have called informally fora level funded budget. A working paper that illustrates the implications of a level funded budget is included as a PDF file via link to the right.

In summary: a level funded budget that increases class sizes in each of four classes across the elementary schools, and removes Math and Literacy Specialist positions and a school counselor position from each elementary school, would still leave the committee about $100,000 short of a level funding target. It would also fail to provide additional resources to respond to new state and federal mandates.

The School Committee is anxious to hear your views on the priorities for next year’s operating budget.

February 8, 2012 Budget Update:

On the evening of Wednesday, February 8th, the Triton Regional School Committee voted to approve a tentative operating budget for fiscal year 2013. The tentative budget calls for spending of $35,999.989, which represents an increase in spending of $1,238,460 or 3.56%. Due to the calculation formula for the assessments to member communities, the increases to each town would vary with an overall net increase of a 4.98%.

The increases in the Tentative Budget reflect the increased cost of delivering level services for the 2012/2013 school year. In addition to the continuation of current programming, some of the key additions that the Tentative Budget provides are:

  1. Funding for a newly established Alternative Program at the High School for at-risk students
  2. Contract/Non-Discretionary Increases in the High School Athletics Program and the addition of a Freshman Softball Team.
  3. Addition of Middle School Adjustment Counselor
  4. Additional 5th Grade Teacher at Newbury Elementary to maintain low class sizes
  5. Additional 5th Grade Teacher at Pine Grove School to maintain low class sizes
  6. Additional supplies funding to equalize per capita spending across all elementary schools
  7. Funding for key professional development on district wide initiatives
  8. Funding for key technology infrastructure which begins to lay the foundation for future expansion of wired and wireless network access.

In addition, the document shared and discussed during the meeting which outlines the comparison of local spending, including spending on education and median local tax assessments, is included at the right.

The next steps in the budget development process include the public hearing on the budget which is scheduled for Wednesday, February 29th. We invite all members of the Triton Community to attend and provide feedback on the proposed budget.

Following the public hearing, the School Committee will consider and review the public hearing results on Wednesday, March 7th and give guidance to the Administration on final figures. A final budget will be presented and voted on Wednesday, March 14th.

JANUARY 31, 2012 UPDATE: The School Committee will be discussing and approving the Tentative Operating Budget for next year during the next eight days.

At their meeting tomorrow evening, Wednesday, February 1st at 7.00 pm in the high school library, the committee will review work done to date, and give guidance to the administration on the further development of the budget.

The document at the right outlines continued discussion about the proposals made by principals and program managers that would get us to an adequate budget. The document reflects a level services budget with subsequent costs necessary to achieve adequacy.

Next Wednesday (February 8th) the committee will continue its review and approve the initial budget that will be forwarded to the towns.

The FY13 budget cycle begins on Monday, January 9th with presentations from the principals and program managers that will allow for the School Committee to hear requests directly from district administrators. These requests will be presented alongside the School Improvement Plans which outline the goals and objectives for the upcoming year.

More information will be posted as we go through the process. The schedule is as follows: (All meetings are at 7:00 PM in the High School Library unless otherwise noted.)

–  October through December: Internal Budget and School Improvement Plan (SIP) work and preparation

–  December 21st: SIPS and Budgets due to Central Office

–  December 21st to January 9th: District Review

–  January 9th at 6:00 PM: Principal SIP & Budget Presentations: Newbury, Pine Grove, and Salisbury

–  January 10th at 6:00 PM: Principal SIP & Budget Presentations: Middle and High School

–  January 12th at 6:00 PM: District Department Budget Presentations: Special Education, Curriculum/PD, Technology)

–  Thursday, January 19th at 7:00 PM: District Budget Advisory Meeting – HS Library

–  Saturday, January 21st at 8:00 AM:  School Committee Budget Workshop – Committee to Set Funding Priorities

–  January 21st to February 1st: District Administrative Budget Preparation

–  Wednesday, February 1, 2012: First Draft Budget Presentation to School Committee

–  February 2nd through the 8th: Administration and Finance Sub Committee reviews draft 1

–  Wednesday, February 8, 2012: Second Draft Budget Presentation to School Committee and Tentative Budget Voted

–  February 10th: Tentative Budget Confirmed to Towns

–  February 9th to March 8th: Administration and Finance Sub Committee reviews Tentative Budget

–  Wednesday, February 29, 2012: Public Hearing on FY13 Tentative Budget

–  Wednesday, March 7, 2012:  Committee review of Public Hearing and Considers

–  March 8th through the 14th: Administration and Finance Sub Committee reviews and adapts Tentative Budget as needed.

–  Wednesday, March 14, 2012: Final Budget Presented and Voted

FY 2012 Documents are available here

View documents here

November 16, 2011:

The FY12 budget was formally adjusted on Wednesday, November 16th by the School Committee. This revision reflects adjustments in personnel spending for accuracy only. There was no change in the overall operating expenditures.

March 21, 2011:

On Monday evening, March 21st, the School Committee adopted a Final Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2012 in the amount of $38,132,241 for total general operating and debt expenditures. This represents a net increase in spending of 1.71%, inlcuding an increase of 2.09% in operating and a decrease of 1.97% in capital debt expenditures. The overall increase in spending on general operating expenditures is $710,362.

This final budget voted tonight provides a net increase in assessment to the member communities of 2.50%, or $614,392.

The final budget requires no cuts to services, but finds savings through efficiencies and reductions necessated by enrollments. It also includes the addition of two librarians, bringing a full time librarian back to all three elementary schools. The changes include:

  • Reduction of 1.0 FTE at the High School (portions of several sections due to decreased enrollment)
  • Increase of 1.0 FTE Librarian at Newbury Elementary, and the reduction the 1.0 FTE Library IA.
  • Increase of 1.0 FTE Librarian at Pine Grove School, and the reduction of the 1.0 FTE Library IA.
  • Existing Librarian to full 1.0 FTE at Salisbury Elementary, and the reduction of the 1.0 FTE Library IA.
  • Reduction of 1.0 FTE Speech and Language Therapist due to over provisioning for these services.
  • Retention of the Peer Mediation stipends for advisors and Gifted and Talented Team members.
  • Savings of $50,000 in electricity costs through aggressive conservation campaign
  • Savings of $30,000 in transportation costs through the reduction of one regular day bus run
  • Savings of $40,000 through retirements
  • NO CHANGES in user fees

To download a copy of the final budget, use the tab up to the right.

March 16, 2011:

Per the requirements of MGL c.71, s.38N, the documents for consideration at the Public Hearing on the FY12 Operating Budget are available at the links on the right or on the Budget Archives. These documents include the Tentative Budget as approved on February 9th with supporting documentation and information regarding the impact of a 0% increase in the assessment to the member towns.

Following the public hearing, a final budget will be presented and voted upon on Monday, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.

March 9, 2011:

Based upon the request of the Boards of Selectmen in Newbury and Rowley, the Triton adminstration presented a scenario to the School Committee that would provide the necessary savings to yeild a 0% increase in the assessment to member towns. This would result in a total required cut from level services of close to $800,000. The cuts proposed are outlined as Annex II in the final budget document. .

It is important to note that this is not a new proposal for a budget. The tentative budget approved by the Committee on February 9th is still the tentative budget. The discussion will continue on Wednesday, March 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Hearing on the FY12 Operating Budget.

March 1, 2011:

There have been a few adjustements to the upcoming meeting schedule for the budget process:

  • Wednesday, March 9th: Regular Committee meeting and FY12 Budget discussion
  • Wednesday, March 16th: Public Hearing on FY12 Operating Budget
  • Wednesday, March 21st: Final Vote on FY12 Operating Budget

February 9, 2011:The Triton Regional School Committee unanimously approved a Tentative FY12 Operating Budget on Wednesday, February 9th. The budget was generated based upon the school committee guidance provided at the February 7th meeting, suggesting a target of scenario 4. That being the case, the tentative budget calls for cuts from level services in the amount of $196,075. It assumes the Governor’s proposed Chapter 70 (state aid) figure and requires an average increase to the towns assessments of 2.81%.

It is important to note that this is a tentative budget that is subject to change. We are still many weeks away from a final budget. Figures for expenditures such as medical insurance, and revenues such as Chapter 70, have yet to be finalized. While will not have solid figures for all revenues before finalizing a budget, more clarification should be provided in the coming weeks.

February 7, 2011:

At their meeting held on Monday, February 7, 2011, the Triton Regional School Committee reviewed docments outlining 4 possible revenue scenarios. The four scenarios required cuts from level services ranging from $1,300,000 (scenario 1) to just under $150,000 (scenario 4). At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee gave direction to the administration to propose a tentative budget with a target of scenario 4. This scenario assumed a state revenue figure in line with the Governor’s proposed budget (House 1) and an average increase to the 3 towns of 3%. Scenario 4 results in a cut from level services of just under $150,000.

January, 2011:

USE THE PAGE LINKS AT THE RIGHT TO VIEW UPDATED PROCESS INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS

The FY12 budget cycle brings with it a few changes in the process. While the normal approval timelines will be adhered to, we’ll be adding additional presentations from the principals and program managers that will allow for the School Committee to hear requests directly from district administrators. These requests will be presented alongside the School Improvement Plans which outline the goals and objectives for the upcoming year.

More information will be posted as we go through the process. The schedule is as follows:

  • October through December: Internal Budget and School Improvement Plan (SIP) work and preparation
  • November 18th at 7:00 PM: District Budget Advisory Committee Meeting (School Committee, Administration, Town Officials)
  • December 17th: SIPS and Budgets due to Central Office
  • December 17th to January 5th: District Review
    • January 6th at 6:00 PM: Principal Budget Presentations: Newbury, Pine Grove, and Salisbury
    • January 10th at 6:00 PM: Principal Budget Presentations: Middle and High School
    • January 11th at 6:00 PM: District Department Budget Presentations: Special Education, Curriculum/PD, Technology, District)
  • Saturday, January 15th at 8:00 AM: School Committee Budget Workshop – Committee to Set Funding Focus
  • January 17th to February 2nd: District Administrative Budget Preparation
  • Thursday, January 27th at 7:00 PM: District Budget Advisory Committee
  • Wednesday, February 2, 2011: First Draft Budget Presentation to School Committee
  • February 3rd through the 8th: Administration and Finance Sub Committee reviews draft 1
  • Wednesday, February 9, 2011: Second Draft Budget Presentation to School Committee andTentative Budget Voted
  • February 10th to March 8th: Administration and Finance Sub Committee reviews Tentative Budget
  • Wednesday, March 9, 2011: Discussion on FY12 Tentative Budget
  • Wednesday, March 16, 2011: Public Hearing on FY12 Operating Budget
  • March 17th through the 29th: Administration and Finance Sub Committee reviews Tentative Budget and Public Hearing minutes
  • Wednesday, March 30, 2011:Final Budget Presented and Voted