Brighton school board opens Jan. 7 meeting with tribute to student, reaffirms mental‑health support

An unnamed board member opened the Brighton Central School District Board of Education’s Jan. 7 meeting by saying the district was gathered “with heavy hearts” after a recent tragedy that claimed the lives of a sixth‑grade student and a relative.

“Our community has suffered a terrible tragedy, and our focus as a board of education has been, is, and will remain on supporting the students and their families, the staff and their families, and, of course, the family most affected by this,” the meeting facilitator said.

Dr. McGowan thanked the mental‑health teams and community partners who have provided support and asked the room to observe a moment of silence. He named the student, Annie Mancuso, and her grandmother, Mary Lassini, and urged families to use available counseling resources across district buildings. “Our staff has done a wonderful job supporting our students and each other. We grieve for them,” Dr. McGowan said.

Board members and district staff repeatedly emphasized that counseling and other supports are in place at the middle school, at French Road, at the high school and at other district buildings and encouraged families to contact principals or counselors for help. The board reiterated gratitude to local emergency and public‑safety partners, including Chief Cuthaldi, the Brighton Fire Department and the Brighton Police Department, for their assistance during the incident.

The board did not take any formal action tied to the incident at this meeting; members stated that the district will continue to provide resources and communications for students, staff and families in the coming days and weeks.