Vote November 3, 2026
Public finances
District finiancial information is publicly available for community review
Invest in buildings. Protect classroom funding.
Ongoing infrastructure investment helps preserve operating dollars for students, programs, and staff.
Responsible planning. Public accountability.
Independent audits
District finance are
independently audited
every year,
Clear oversight helps Brighton manage public dollars responsibly.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
Public board oversight
Spending reviewed and approved at public Board meetings.
Separate bond tracking
Bond dollars are tracked separately from operating funds.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE WAIT?
Our buildings average ~60 years old.
Planning ahead helps protect both our schools and our budget
A smaller financial cushion leaves less protection for unexpected expenses.
Spend down reserves
Aging systems still need replacement, and repair and construction costs may rise.
Delay major projects
Major construction would compete with funding for students, programs, and staff.
Use classroom dollars
Plan ahead. Protect classrooms.
Phased bond improvements address major needs while keeping the debt tax rate low and steady.
Schools help keep Brighton strong.
As the number of school-aged children declines, districts face greater competition to attract and retain families.
Strong academics, student opportunities and safe well maintened buildings all help mae a district a place families choose.
Wanting lower taxes is understandable. Every household has a budget, and taxpayers deserve thoughtful decisions about how their money is spent. The question is what might we give up in exchange?
The goal is to keep Brighton affordable while caring for the schools that help make it a place people want to call home.
WON'T MY TAXES GO DOWN?
Lower Taxes. But at what cost?
Building needs don't disappear when funding does
Aging roofs and heating systems still need replacement. Waiting can mean more expensive repairs later and greater pressure on the operating budget that supports students.
What are we saving and what are we protecting?
Lower taxes offer an immediate benefit. Responsible stewardship also means weighing the savings against the potential long-term costs to our schools, enrollment and community.
Bond Dollars Cannot Support
Teachers and Staff
Salaries, benefits and the people who serve students each day.
Classroom Instruction
Curriculum, instructional supplies, student support and educational programming.
Daily Operations
Utilities, transportation, custodial services, insurance, and routine building care.
Recurring Costs
Expenses that return every year and must be supported by ongoing revenue.
Bond Dollars Can Support
Major Infrastructure Replacement
Roofs, boilers, chillers, electircal systems, and other long-life building components.
Safety and Security Improvements
Secure entrances, building systems, site improvements and other approved capital work.
Learning-space Renovation
Modernized classrooms, labs, accessibility upgrades and building additions.
Defined, Voter-approved Projects
Bond proceeds are restricted to the purposes described in the ballot proposal and legal documents.
Bond proceeds cannot be used for employee salaries or ordinary operating expenses. Likewise, paying for major capital replacement from the General Fund reduces the dollars available for instruction, staffing and student services.
Good budgeting cannot make capital needs disappear. Brighton should always control costs and look for efficiencies. But ordinary savings cannot create tens of millions of dollars for roofs, HVAC, electrical systems, secure entrances, accessibility work and other long-life infrastructure.
The average age of Brighton’s school buildings is approximately 60 years. Ongoing maintenance helps extend their useful life, but major systems eventually need replacement.
Waiting a few years may seem like a way to save money, but it comes with costs. Buildings continue to age, major replacement needs remain, and maintaining aging equipment can become more expensive. If construction costs rise, a future proposal could require a millage increase to accomplish the same work.
Brighton’s goal is to address major needs on a planned schedule while keeping the school debt tax rate low and steady.
tHE "TIGHTEN THE BELT" QUESTION
wHY ADDRESS THESE NEEDS NOW?
Because the general fund and reserves serve different purposes than a capital bond. The general fund supports day-to-day operations, teachers, instruction, transportation, and student services—while reserves provide a financial cushion for unexpected costs and future needs. Using significant amounts of either for major facility projects could reduce the district’s financial flexibility and put pressure on the operating budget. A bond allows the district to fund long-term capital improvements over time while protecting resources needed to operate schools today. Currently, 64% of school districts in Michigan are operating at a deficit. Brighton is not one of them due to sound financial planning.
Each year, the district budgets for anticipated maintenance at every building and addresses unexpected problems as they arise. That ongoing upkeep helps extend the life of our facilities.
Michigan's school funding model provides operating dollars primarily for day-to-day classroom resources, student services and routine maintenance. Bonds and sinking funds are the dedicated tools districts use to fund major capital and infrastructure improvements, such as roof replacements, HVAC systems and building renovations.
These projects exceed what routine maintenance budgets can reasonably absorb. Paying for them with operating dollars would put pressure on funding for classroom and other school priorities.
"WHY NOT USE THE DISTRICT'S SAVINGS OR GENERAL FUND INSTEAD OF A BOND?"
MAINTENANCE AND MAJOR REPLACEMENT SERVE DIFFERENT PURPOSES
Replacing infrastructure at the end of its useful life is one of the most fiscally responsible decisions a district can make. Responsible planning costs less!