Familiar face, new role Lutterman takes over as Triton superintendent

Triton High School graduate Luke Lutterman has worked for the district since 2016 as a principal and became the high school principal in 2019, when Craig Schlichting left that position to become the superintendent.
On July 1, he took over as superintendent, once again following in Schlichting’s footsteps.
“It’s been going exceptionally well,” he said three weeks into his new role.
Lutterman was named as the next superintendent a year ago and said that having the opportunity to work with the school board and Schlichting while still principal was an advantage, but there are still facets of the job he needs to learn.
As he steps into the new position, he sees finances as his major responsibility. While principal, he said, he looked at finances more on the level of the individual school. Now, as superintendent, he needs to be concerned with the entire district.
To a great extent, district finances are driven by student enrollment. State aid is based on the number of students the school serves, and a concern of districts throughout the state has been declining enrollment.
When districts plan their future budgets, one important number is the size of the incoming kindergarten class compared to the graduating class. This school year, Lutterman said, the Triton district is seeing a kindergarten class that is bigger than the senior class.
“I give a lot of credit to the pre-school program,” Lutterman said.
Triton has expanded its childcare program, and when students attend the district’s pre-school, they are already familiar with the school.
Still, budgets have been a major concern, and Triton has gone through reductions to “maximize the dollars we have.”
The district will still face many of the same financial challenges as those across Minnesota. State mandates have been an issue, because they have been unfunded or underfunded. Relatively few funds come from the federal government, and those are released to the state, which, in turn, releases the money to individual school districts.
Like other districts, Triton officials have been looking at options, including a levy referendum that would raise property taxes. The board has conducted a survey of residents to gauge the support for a potential tax increase.
Although no decisions have been made, the topic is expected to be discussed at the August 4 board meeting.
A point of pride for the district, Lutterman said, is the number of Triton High School students taking concurrent enrollment in college classes.
Currently, 57 college credits are available to Triton students. The classes are taught at Triton, by Triton faculty, in partnership with Rochester Community and Technical College, Riverland Community College, and Minnesota State Mankato. These classes, he said, provide opportunities to prepare students for their future career pathways.
Lutterman said the district will welcome three new teachers this school year. Morgan Coy will be the new band director, and Leslie VanderWaal will be joining the district as a counselor. There will also be a new special education teacher for the elementary school.
New staff will report on August 22, with all staff back at the school on August 25.
Orientation for grades six and nine happens on Tuesday, September 2. 
Students in grades six through 12 will be in school on Wednesday, September 3, and elementary students will return on Thursday, September 4.