Brentwood voters approve $7.46 million operating budget after narrow amendment fight

Brentwood voters approved the school district's operating budget for fiscal year 2026, raising and appropriating $7,458,715 for Swayze Central School, after an amendment to cut $200,000 failed at the town's business meeting.

The budget committee recommended the figure, which includes the district's first bond payment for solar panels installed on the school roof, and the school board urged approval to maintain current staffing and programs.

Jack Mitchell, chair of the municipal budget committee, opened discussion and noted the committee's recommendation. Brian Duffy, chair of the school board, and Molly O'Keefe, director of finance, joined school leaders in presenting enrollment, staffing and performance data to the assembled voters. Duffy highlighted student achievement and the district's low cost per pupil within the supervisory union; O'Keefe said the budget includes the first payment on the solar bond now generating power on the school roof.

An amendment offered by Jim Burlow to reduce the request by $200,000 (to $7,258,715) was seconded and drew extended public comment. Supporters of the cut argued the district enrollment has fallen from historic highs and said the town should reduce spending accordingly. Opponents, including parents and staff, said the reduction would force layoffs and undermine services for students with disabilities. "A $200,000 budget cut means two classroom teachers. That's just the reality," Jack Mitchell told voters during debate.

Parent and educator speakers also addressed a $3,000 line for DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion and justice) support in the principal's office and the role of an assistant principal. Jennifer Bridal, introducing herself as an elementary administrator, said, "The position of the assistant principal is an absolutely vital position to running a school." Several residents urged caution about cutting positions that support special education and inclusion.

The amendment failed when voters raised cards; the meeting record does not provide a precise tally for the amendment vote. After debate was closed, voters approved the original $7,458,715 article by voice/raised-card vote; the moderator declared the motion passed. Voters then approved a motion to restrict reconsideration of the budget vote.

During discussion several budget details were clarified: the school has 19 classroom teachers, 5 integrated-arts staff, 6 special-education staff and about 30 support staff; enrollment figures and class-size breakdowns by grade were presented to voters. The finance director said the solar project cost was $662,000 and that the district has applied to the IRS for the federal investment tax credit, which the director said was estimated at roughly 33% of the project cost and described the resulting payment as a revenue source to the district ("the entire cost of the project was $662,000," Molly O'Keefe said; "I believe the solar tax credits will be about 33% of it").

The meeting record shows extensive public comment before the final vote and a motion to restrict reconsideration passed, preventing immediate further changes to the approved figures. The board and budget committee will carry the approved operating appropriation into the district's fiscal plan for the coming year.

Ending: The meeting proceeded to two additional warrant articles after the operating-budget vote; voters handled those items later in the same session.