As a mother of two children currently attending Hornung Elementary and Maltby Intermediate, I see firsthand the impact our school facilities have on our students’ daily lives. I am writing to urge my neighbors to join me in voting “Yes” on the Brighton Area Schools bond proposal on May 5. This is a strategic investment that ensures our schools remain safe, modern, and capable of supporting our children from kindergarten through graduation.
At Hornung, this bond addresses critical safety needs with a security lockout system and a new secure vestibule, while also adding much-needed classroom and gymnasium space. At Maltby, the proposal includes essential upgrades like remodeling science labs and adding air conditioning to the gymnasium. Let’s also celebrate the possibility of solving the age-old drop-off saga of these two schools with a new access drive on Brighton Road.
What excites me most, however, is the long-term vision this bond provides as my children grow into our secondary schools. The planned updates for Scranton Middle School, including a new orchestra classroom with temperature-controlled storage and updated locker rooms, will provide a higher-quality environment for those pivotal middle school years. Looking even further ahead to Brighton High School, the bond will fund renovated science rooms and a new band room, both of which my boys will enjoy. Additionally, the creation of a centralized scratch kitchen will improve the quality of school meals for every student in the district.
As a taxpayer, I also recognize that our property values are directly tied to the reputation of our schools. Brighton is a destination for families because of our commitment to excellence; after all, it was a major factor in why we chose this community when we moved here 10 years ago. This bond allows us to maintain that standard while taking advantage of a unique financial window. If approved, the district’s overall debt millage is estimated to return to 4.00 mills. While this is an increase from the current 2.92 mills, it remains significantly lower than the 6.19 mills we paid in 2024 and the 7.19 mills paid over the previous decade. At 4.00 mills, Brighton would still maintain the lowest debt millage of any school district in Livingston County. For our home, this bond will only cost us around $175 a year. A steal when you think of the value it will add.
We have the opportunity to address our district’s highest-priority needs without returning to the higher tax rates of the past. Please join me in supporting our students and our community’s future by voting “Yes” on or before May 5.
Caitlyn Perry Dial, Ph.D.
Brighton
