Brighton Central School District previews $116.7M draft budget, approves SEQRA and schedules May 19 budget vote

The Brighton Central School District presented its first‑draft 2026–27 operating budget and took formal actions to advance a related capital project.

Deputy superintendent Lu Limo walked the board through the draft operating budget, which the administration listed as $116,723,000 (an increase of about 5.56%). Limo said the district currently projects a roughly $3.66 million gap (about 3.3% of the budget) between proposed expenditures and recurring revenues and described key revenue and cost drivers: foundation aid accounts for roughly 19% of revenue but produces only about 1% of new spending; the property tax levy cap of 1.95% generates just over 1% in new spending; and use of reserves was already reflected in the prior year’s financing plan.

Limo itemized major expenditure pressures: salary and wages (teacher salaries driving 56% of the object‑area increase), benefits (health insurance and retiree health representing substantial shares of the increase), a $1.22 million increase in mandated special‑education services (≈10.5% in that area), rising substitute‑teacher costs, and transportation cost pressures. Limo said the district is self‑insured and participates in a regional health consortium (RASP), and board members emphasized continuing advocacy and regional collaboration to address soaring healthcare costs.

On capital work, administrators said the construction portion of the proposed capital program is $10.6 million with total project costs around $13.6 million after contingencies and incidental fees. The district proposed drawing $3.5 million from capital reserves while leveraging building aid and smart schools funds so the project would not require an additional tax increase. Superintendent Dr. McGawan told the board that capital projects and the general fund are legally separate: “the capital project work that Lou just spoke about … is completely and totally separate from the general fund budget that we are discussing,” and capital reserve monies cannot be used to balance operating expenditures.

Formal actions: the board approved a SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) determination and resolution for the 2026 capital project after administration explained architects and the district’s environmental attorney had reviewed the scope and deemed it a Type II action with a short EAF prepared for a middle‑school entrance bump‑out. The SEQRA resolution passed by roll call (six yays, zero nays; Dr. Lee absent). The board also approved a resolution authorizing the district’s annual budget vote, election and propositions; the vote date was confirmed as May 19.

Board discussion emphasized options to close the operating gap — a mix of revenue options, careful one‑time use of unappropriated fund balance, and possible targeted reductions — and cautioned against depleting reserves. Administration and board members framed personnel/program reductions as a last resort given that roughly three‑quarters of the district’s costs are for staff and student services.

Next steps: the district scheduled community budget forums (including daytime and evening sessions) to present the draft budget and survey results; administrators said they will continue to refine the budget as the state budget process clarifies aid levels and will return to the board with recommended actions before the May vote.

Key numbers and actions at a glance: - Draft operating budget: $116,723,000 (up ~5.56%) - Current projected gap: $3.66 million (~3.3%) - Capital project: construction $10.6M; total project $13.6M; propose $3.5M draw from capital reserves - SEQRA resolution for the 2026 capital project: approved (roll call: 6–0; Dr. Lee absent) - Annual budget vote/election date: May 19 (resolution approved)