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Brighton district projects $4.6 million budget gap; board weighs levy increase, reserves and cuts
Summary
Superintendent Dr. McGowan and finance staff told the Brighton Central School District Board of Education on March 11 that preliminary numbers show a roughly $4.6 million shortfall for the 2025–26 spending plan; the board discussed raising the tax levy, drawing on reserves, and program cuts and scheduled community budget forums.
On March 11, at a Brighton Central School District Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. McGowan and district finance staff presented a preliminary budget showing about a $4.6 million gap between expected revenues and proposed spending for 2025–26.
The presentation outlined where the district’s revenue and spending stand and the options board members will need to weigh before a proposed budget goes to taxpayers. "This is really the beginning of the most difficult part of the conversation," Dr. McGowan said, describing the presentation as a starting point for community discussions.
The district projects roughly $1.8 million in new recurring revenue next year: about $611,000 in additional state foundation aid cited from the governor’s budget and about $1.2 million in new property tax levy revenue under the tax cap formula. Lou, the district finance presenter, said, "we have a revenue growth projected to be about 3.3%." That revenue falls short of projected spending growth: the district showed a 7.66% increase in total spending, with 6.2% of that from operations and 1.44% from planned capital work.
A large portion of the increased spending is personnel-related. The presentation showed salaries and wages and benefits account for nearly 70% of the budget; district staff identified increases next year of about $1.7 million in salary and wages and $2.9 million in employee benefits as drivers of the gap. The district also cited sharp increases in health insurance costs (14.4% for under-65 active employees this year) and a 48% increase for retiree (65+) costs associated with changes in federal programs.
Presenters emphasized several constrained revenue dynamics: the state’s foundation aid growth is not keeping pace with inflation, and the statutorily computed tax levy limit (the “tax cap”) allows only modest increases. The presenters calculated that increasing the district’s tax levy cap from roughly 2% to 3% would yield an estimated $600,000 — helpful but insufficient to close the gap. The board was also shown how the townwide reassessment and state equalization rates can redistribute the same levy among homeowners in ways that increase some bills while decreasing others.
District leaders outlined three broad responses the board can combine: raise recurring revenue (by increasing the levy), use one-time financing (draw down reserves or use fund balance), and reduce expenditures (from district-level administrative or building-level reductions to deeper program changes such as larger class sizes or fewer electives). Lou described reserves as a short-term financing option but warned they must be replenished: "If you take money out of your savings account to pay your mortgage, you better have a way to put money back into that savings account or eventually it runs out," he said.
Board members and staff discussed specifics the district identified as possible reductions that add to about $978,000 in savings from building-level and district-wide year-end funds and adjusted allocations; staff also identified transportation contract increases (roughly 5–9% reported in different places of the presentation) and rising utility and insurance costs as limited items where the district has little discretion.
The board and staff emphasized next steps and community engagement. The district will hold budget forums and continue soliciting feedback; Dr. McGowan said forums will be held on March 19 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the district. No formal budget vote occurred at the meeting; the presentation was described as preliminary and informational.
Why this matters: the board must balance a large increase in projected expenses with limited new recurring revenue. Decisions about the levy, the use of reserves and program reductions would have direct effects on district programs, staffing and homeowners’ tax bills.
Ending: District leaders asked the public to review the figures and attend upcoming forums; board members said more detailed proposals will be brought forward as budget development continues.
