Community Approves School Budget

Residents of the Brighton Central School District approved a $71,879,115 budget for the 2015-16 school year by a vote of 1,069 to 256. The budget received an 80.68% “yes” vote, the second highest passage rate since 1971-72.

The projected tax levy increase for 2015-16 is 2.20%.

Voters also re-elected two members to the Board of Education: Martha Sciremammano and Mark Kokanovich. Sciremammano received 903 votes, Kokanovich received 819 votes, and Virginia Hall received 589 votes.

Three propositions were also on the ballot. The propositions authorize expenditures from existing reserve funds, and their approval does not increase the budget or tax rate. The first proposal, approved 1,160 to 198, authorized the withdrawal of $1,400,000 for capital projects to include: reauthorization of the reconstruction and renovation of the Brighton High School cafeteria area; renovation of interior classroom space at Brighton High School; replacement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment at Twelve Corners Middle School; replacement of the fire alarm system and replacement of hallway lockers at French Road Elementary School; and, reauthorization of renovations to the concession stand at Brighton High School, including the purchase and installation of equipment necessary for proper ventilation and the construction of toilet facilities.

The second proposition, approved 1,128 to 227, authorized the transfer of $500,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund (Technology) to the District’s General Operating Fund and to expend this sum from the District’s General Operating Fund for computer-related equipment and software in accordance with the purposes set forth in the authorizing resolution establishing this fund.

The third proposition, approved 1,128 to 228, created a Capital Reserve Fund to finance in whole or in part, future capital projects including the construction and/or reconstruction of District buildings and certain building alterations. The ultimate amount to be deposited over time in the Fund shall be $20,000,000 which shall include approximately $6,200,000 from the 2009 Capital Reserve that expires on June 30, 2015. The term of the Fund shall commence on May 20, 2015, and end on June 30, 2025. Accumulated monies in the fund may continue to be expended after the expiration of the probable term until the fund is depleted with proper voter authorizations. The money to be deposited in the Fund shall be obtained from general fund surplus of the District and state aid received by the District for capital expenditures funded in whole or in part from the Fund. Annual, separate voter authorization is required to expend money from this reserve account.