Brighton board proposes 3.98% tax-levy increase to cover rising costs; $13.6M capital plan funded from reserves

The Brighton Central School District Board of Education on May 12 presented a proposed 2026–27 budget that would raise the tax levy by 3.98% to address rising salary, insurance and operating costs, and described a $13.6 million capital reauthorization that the district says will be paid from capital reserves and state aid rather than from a tax increase.

"We landed at proposing a budget increase that would require an increase of 3.98% in the tax levy," Dr. McGowan told the board and public during the budget hearing, laying out the revenue and expense pressures that produced a projected gap between new revenue and higher costs.

The district summarized two primary one‑time/recurring revenue sources that could contribute roughly $2.4 million combined — a property tax levy increase at the capped number and projected foundation aid — against several sizable cost increases. Dr. McGowan cited an anticipated $1.9 million (about 4%) rise in overall salary spending, about $1.0 million more for current employee health insurance, $1.1 million (23%) higher retiree health insurance costs and a $1.2 million increase in cooperative (BOCES) charges. Using those numbers, the district reported a multi‑million dollar shortfall that the proposed levy and targeted reductions are intended to close.

District staff said the proposed spending increase is 3.72% (resulting in the 3.98% levy) and that passing the budget “over the cap” would require a 60% yes vote by residents; a simple majority would be sufficient if the district stayed within the cap. Dr. McGowan emphasized that a failed budget vote or a decision to stay under the cap would require deeper reductions: "Non‑mandated programs will be reduced if this budget is not supported. That is not a threat. That is simply the truth," he said.

To bridge the gap, the proposed budget reduces 12.3 full‑time equivalent positions (estimated savings of $1.29 million). The district said 10 of those reductions would occur through attrition and that officials tried to minimize program impacts, though they warned that further cuts would raise class sizes at elementary grades and affect non‑mandated services. The district estimated the effect on a homeowner of a $250,000 property: roughly $285 under the proposal versus $139 if the district stayed under the cap, a $146 annual difference.

On capital work, Dr. McGowan described a $13.6 million reauthorization that the district says will draw from its capital reserve, Smart Schools Bond funds and state aid and therefore will not raise taxes. Scope items listed for voter consideration include secure vestibules, counseling office renovations, roof and skylight repairs, parking reengineering, generator replacement, kitchen modernization and classroom upgrades.

Lou, the district’s finance/construction lead, explained that the reauthorization carries a construction/design contingency the board has been carrying since before bid openings. He said the district has been carrying a roughly $1.3 million design contingency plus other incidental/interest costs and that it has not allocated a specific line item for soil remediation. "Some of that will have to be used likely for the soil field," Lou said, adding that the district does not yet know how much and will present remediation options and associated costs to the community for feedback.

On the regulatory process, Dr. McGowan said the district is working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation under a limited consent order and will adopt a DEC citizen participation plan to structure public involvement. He also noted that state education department (SED) reimbursements are typically processed after project completion — the district must complete work and apply for reimbursement rather than receive payment up front.

Board business during the meeting included motions and routine approvals. The transcript records a motion to approve the proposed 2026–27 budget (moved by Susan, seconded by Carrie Lynn); the provided segments document the motion and movers but do not record a vote tally in the supplied transcript. The board approved administrative tenure for Dr. Tracy Glazer and teaching‑assistant tenure for Joseph Martins after motions and seconds, and the board approved financial reports, cooperative procurement bids and a consent agenda of personnel and activity items. The board also held a roll‑call vote to authorize a settlement of a tax assessment claim (New Monroe Real Estate LLC) and accepted gifts from community donors (including a $3,000 Friends of the Arts contribution).

The district said it plans to post the full budget materials online and anticipates a community feedback session on remediation and field design options once DEC and other regulatory parameters are established; that session was discussed for June, pending completion of regulatory work. The public vote on the annual budget, capital referendum and board candidates is scheduled for May 19; the district provided a candidate night and multiple informational materials leading up to the vote.

What’s next: the district will post the full budget and the soils/fields update online, present remediation options with estimated costs for public comment, and proceed to the May 19 public vote on the budget, capital reauthorization and board candidates.