Brighton CSD proposes $19.1 million Phase 2 at Council Rock; referendum set for Dec. 4

Brighton Central School District on Monday outlined a proposed $19,125,000 capital project to complete upgrades at Council Rock Primary School and set a districtwide referendum for Dec. 4.

District presenters said the Phase 2 scope would replace asbestos flooring and wall tile, modernize plumbing and electrical systems, update lighting and classroom finishes in 31 classrooms and make site improvements including new play surfaces. "We have these rooms were built in 1957," said John Novelli, the district's director of buildings and grounds, noting, "we have asbestos flooring. We have asbestos wall tiles" and warning a single pipe break could force abatement and a temporary wing shutdown.

Architect and project staff described work on the northwest and art-room roofing areas, interior classroom updates (flooring, wainscot, doors), toilet-room upgrades and routing technology so that wiring does not rely on visible conduit. The plan would add or improve accessible play surfaces and considers synthetic turf and rubberized areas to extend outdoor play into more months of the year.

Officials laid out a multi-step schedule tied to voter approval: if the Dec. 4 referendum passes, the district plans schematic design, design development and construction-document phases, with a State Education Department (SED) submission targeted for September 2025. Presenters projected a bid window in April–May 2026 and potential construction start later in 2026. District staff said construction will occur both in summers and during the school year and will require rotating students into swing spaces—"roughly 4 classrooms at a time"—creating about eight groupings to complete the 31 classrooms.

The district provided a financial outline for the proposal. "The proposed cost of the project is 19,125,000," said a district presenter, adding the plan would use $3,000,000 of existing capital reserves to reduce the local share. Officials said they expect to "maximize the building aid on this at 71 or 79.1%" (language in the presentation listed both figures). Using a 15-year amortization, presenters estimated a net local share of about $3,300,000 and said the levy impact would be about $218,000 in new taxes in the first year of the schedule, which presenters translated to about $18 per year for the (unspecified) typical taxpayer.

Presenters acknowledged that the district has other capital needs: "We have $38,000,000 worth of work going on," the presenter said, and noted a prior 2017 project that ultimately totaled roughly $69,000,000 when complete. District officials said that is the reason they plan to preserve reserves for other buildings and to amortize the local share rather than fully fund the project from reserves.

Project staff described likely on-site impacts during construction: contractor trailers, storage units, fencing and dumpsters will occupy parking and grounds; the playground area for the addition will close during certain work periods. When asked how long a playground closure might last, a presenter estimated prep and installation could take "anywhere from 2 to 4 months" depending on scope and materials. The district said it will coordinate communication with neighbors and families through staff including Dan Goldman as details are developed.

If voters approve the referendum, district staff said they will proceed with the three design phases, submit construction documents to SED, bid the work in spring 2026 and execute construction with phased classroom rotations to maintain instruction.

The presentation closed with the board thanking the project team; presenters said additional information and outreach materials will be provided to the community before the Dec. 4 referendum.

Ending: The district's referendum is scheduled for Dec. 4; if approved, design work would follow with SED submission planned for September 2025 and construction expected to begin in 2026.