UPDATE on 04/04/2026

Important Next Steps: Let's Stay Connected!

Thank you to everyone who has spoken up to request a pause on the BCSD turf and stormwater plans. Our collective voice is growing stronger, and we are nearing an incredible 500 signatures!

As the project continues to evolve and important community forums are scheduled, information is moving fast. We have established Brighton United Against the Current Capital Project as our central hub for sharing research, asking questions, and coordinating community action.

To make sure you receive critical updates, alerts about upcoming Board of Education meetings, and information regarding construction impacts, please take 30 seconds to sign up here:

 https://bit.ly/4sm6XN2 

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to transparency, student safety, and the preservation of our neighborhood green spaces. Please fill out the form today, and share the link with any neighbors who want to stay informed!

UPDATE on 01/25/2026

Given the stark contrast between what was said about the intended use of the green space associated with two parcels of land adjacent to Brighton High School purchased in 2022 and the current use of that same green space, which was disclosed in a limited manner by BCSD between May 2023 and January 2026, we believe this additional historical context is important for community members to be aware of. This information was previously shared in a district community bulletin linked here:

On January 25, 2022, the following statement was published in the bulletin: Community Approves Special Vote Propositions (bcsd.org website)

“We are so grateful for the support of our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin McGowan. “This purchase will give us the opportunity to explore a better, safer parking lot exit and to protect the green space adjacent to our athletic fields. We are glad that this purchase can be made from reserves and will not require an increase in taxes. This is a forward-thinking, strategic decision by our community that has the potential to be very impactful.

As always, we recognize the trust that our community has placed in the District and are committed to continuing to be fiscally responsible for now and in planning for our financial future.”

Today, many residents feel that the current land use and apparent departure from the original public statement represent a significant change in how the space is being used compared to what was publicly communicated when the land was acquired, and that this evolution was not clearly disclosed prior to the 2024 referendum.
End of update.

11/24/2025
We are all here because we care about our community. Let's keep the conversation constructive, respectful, and focused on facts so our concerns can carry weight. Thanks for engaging.

Our Main Concerns

As residents of Brighton, NY, many of us are deeply concerned about the direction and scale of
the District’s current capital project. When the community voted on the conceptual plan in 2024,
the understanding many residents had of the project was more limited in scope than what is now
shown in the updated plans. The addition of two synthetic-turf athletic fields and a large fenced,
raised stormwater retention area has created significant questions, confusion, and frustration
among neighbors. We thought that the neighborhoods adjacent to the school would have been
formally invited to discussions. Yet many are only now learning about BCSD’s extensive plans.
We recognize that facilities improvements can benefit students. At the same time, many in our
community feel that we have not had enough clear, accessible information to understand the full
implications of these newer elements of the project — particularly those closest to our homes,
our children’s walking routes, and the open green spaces our neighborhoods rely on.

Community members have consistently expressed concerns such as:

• Health and environmental questions related to artificial turf materials, especially given
  ongoing statewide discussions and proposed legislation (e.g., New York State Senate Bill 2025-S3797) about turf use.
• The addition of a large stormwater pond with fencing and a raised berm, which may
  change access, visibility, safety, and neighborhood pathways.
• The absence of indicated paths or routes around the retention area despite children
  regularly crossing these grounds to get to school.
• The expanded scale of the project compared to the early conceptual plans many residents
  believed they were voting on.

These concerns reflect a desire for transparency and clarity — not accusations.
This petition is not about assigning fault or suggesting intentional wrongdoing.
It is about acknowledging that many residents feel unsure about how the project evolved and
would like clearer explanations before irreversible steps are taken.

What We Are Requesting

We, the undersigned residents of Brighton, NY, ask the Brighton Central School District to:

1. Pause the turf field and stormwater retention components of the project.
   A temporary pause would allow residents to fully understand the updated scope and ask
   informed questions.
2. Provide more detailed, accessible public information regarding:

• the environmental and health considerations of the turf products selected
• the design and purpose of the stormwater pond
• pedestrian and neighborhood access
• changes from the 2024 conceptual plan to the current engineering drawings

      3.  Hold additional community conversations and forums so residents can share
           feedback and feel confident that our concerns are heard and considered.

Why This Matters Right Now

We are pro-sport, pro-student, pro-health, and pro-environment. Our community cares deeply about our children’s health, our outdoor spaces, and the long-term environmental impact of what we build. When project elements change, expand, or become more complex, it is reasonable for residents to ask questions and seek understanding.

Many of us are also aware that appropriate administrative channels exist at the state level for
requesting clarification about school construction projects. Community participation strengthens
those efforts and demonstrates that residents care about clarity and collaboration, not conflict.

This petition helps create a united community voice — one that supports transparency, safety,
fiscal responsibility, the value of healthy ecosystems, and a strong partnership between residents
and the District.

A Path Forward, Together

Brighton thrives when decisions are made with both educational goals and neighborhood well-
being in mind. A brief pause and a renewed commitment to open conversation will help ensure
that the final plan is one the whole community understands and supports.
Therefore, we are requesting this pause so that all of us — families, neighbors, educators, and the
District — can move forward with clarity, trust, and confidence.

Sincerely,
The Undersigned Residents of Brighton, NY

Source: Brighton Central School District – 2023-2024 Phase II Capital Improvement Project site plan
(publicly released document)