An update on Triton’s budget

I wanted to follow up with another financial update for the Triton Public Schools.
At its April 20 meeting, the Triton School Board approved a series of budget adjustments as part of a multiyear plan to address the district’s financial recovery. Triton’s 2024-25 audit reflects multiple years of expenditures exceeding revenues, while the district has faced declining enrollment, reduced funding and increased inflationary costs.
The approved plan is designed to restore financial stability while maintaining quality educational opportunities for students.
These steps were difficult, but necessary to ensure the long-term financial health of our school district. Previous budget alignments for the 2025-26 school year and the passage of the Capital Projects Levy this fall will help tremendously, but consecutive years of deficit spending left us in a position where more needed to be done.
Our budget needs to align with our enrollment. We look to position ourselves to move forward responsibly while continuing to serve our students and community at a high level.
The approved adjustments include reductions in expenditures across several operational areas, along with staffing adjustments to align enrollment and class size with financial realities. The district will continue to prioritize classroom instruction and student support throughout this process.
In total, this budget alignment will lead to an adjustment of $639,442 for the 2026-27 school year, including these changes:
Reduction of five teachers (two elementary, three secondary — Science, English-Language Arts, Math)
Reduction of two paraprofessionals
Reduction of one custodial and transportation assistant director
Adjustment to nurse’s office contract
Technology operations: Replace the Schoology LMS with an alternative
Speed and strength operations: Contractural changes
Athletic trainer operations: Reduced supplies and equipment
Standardized Testing: Students/families pay for the ACT test
Reduce contracted mowing
Reassign PLC (Professional Learning Community) duties
Increase student sports activities fees: TMS $110; THS $125 (previous was $100)
School Resource Officer: Reduce budget to part-time and seek outside funding support to maintain a fulltime SRO
Although challenging, we will maintain high-quality educational experiences and programming with these changes. Triton Public Schools will continue to provide rigorous academics, student supports and high-quality extracurricular opportunities.
Additionally, the district will continue working with the Minnesota Department of Education on its required financial recovery plan and will monitor progress over the next two fiscal years.
We remain committed to transparency and to keeping our staff, families and community informed. Together, we will navigate this process and build a stronger future for our school community.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support.
Luke Lutterman
Triton Superintendent