Brighton board approves 2025-26 budget guidelines and calendar

The Brighton Central School District Board of Education approved the district's budget guidelines and the 2025-26 budget calendar during its Sept. 9 meeting, establishing the schedule and principles that will guide budget development for the coming year.

Dr. McGowan, the district superintendent, presented the guidelines and said the board's spending plan will reflect the district's strategic priorities: mental health and wellness, academic excellence, student and family experience, and operations. He told the board the guidelines are similar to prior years but highlighted the need to account for changes to foundation aid, inflationary pressures, labor-market constraints and possible shifts in state and federal aid.

Board members asked clarifying questions about timing and the relationship between the tax levy, taxable assessed value and tax bills. Dr. McGowan and staff explained that the district adopts a tax levy based on the budgeted expenditures and that the taxable assessed value is determined by outside entities; exemptions and valuation changes affect the resulting tax rate and average tax bills.

Board member Susan moved to approve the budget guidelines and calendar; Karen seconded the motion. The board voiced its approval.

The calendar includes standard public milestones: a community forum in the winter/spring, budget requests submitted in January, enrollment reviews and spring budget benchmarks, and the district's budget vote set for May 19, 2026. Dr. McGowan said staff will present updates on budget assumptions, enrollment, revenues and expenditures throughout the year.