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Brighton board hears 2025–26 budget pressures, approves state tax-cap levy filing
Summary
District leaders told the board Feb. 25 that rising health-insurance and transportation costs, capped local revenues and modest state aid have produced a preliminary spending gap; the Board of Education approved the required state tax-cap levy filing and a consent agenda.
The Brighton Central School District Board of Education on Feb. 25 received a detailed update on development of the district's 2025'26 budget and approved the annual state tax-cap levy filing required for the district.
Dr. McGowan and finance presenter Lou Alaimo framed the starting point for next year's budget as constrained by a state tax-cap formula and rising mandatory costs. Alaimo said the governor's proposed executive budget produces a small increase in foundation aid, "less than $600,000," and that building-aid increases are tied to planned capital debt. At the same time, he said the district expects salaries to rise about 3.9% and employee-benefit costs to increase roughly 11%, driven mainly by health insurance claims.
"In 2025, our health insurance premiums increased 14.44%," Alaimo said, and he told the board the district is assuming a 12.5% medical-inflation factor for next year while awaiting updated actuarial analysis.
Dr. McGowan highlighted community input gathered through a budget survey (458 respondents to date) and said the most-repeated priorities were competitive teacher pay, mental-health supports, small class sizes, arts and extracurriculars, and equitable transportation. She also told the board, "We received $2,300,000 in federal funding," and said a recent court ruling meant those funds were not frozen "at this point." She added the district is monitoring legal developments and consulting with Congressmen Morelli's office.
After the presentations, the board approved the district's tax-cap levy filing as presented by Alaimo. Karen moved the motion and Esther seconded; the chair called the voice vote and recorded the motion as carried. The board also approved the consent agenda later in the meeting.
The presenters described the financial picture as preliminary: district officials said they are closing December reports, reconciling January numbers and awaiting actuarial guidance before finalizing assumptions. Next steps include additional community budget forums (including one following the meeting) and further staff work to close the remaining spending-revenue gap.
Action and next steps: the board approved the required tax-cap filing and consent agenda; staff will continue refining budget-to-actuals, consult actuaries on health-rate assumptions and present updated budget choices at future forums and meetings.
