Dear Members of the Brighton School Community,

We are writing to inform you of important findings discovered during the construction of our new athletic fields behind Brighton High School. We want to be transparent about what we've found, the immediate and decisive action we took, and the comprehensive steps we're taking to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community.

During early site preparation work in January, our construction contractor encountered previously undocumented historical fill materials beneath the topsoil in the athletic fields area. This material includes ash, cinders, brick, glass, ceramic, and metal and is expected to be associated with the historical land use from 1830 to the 1920s when portions of the site were used for brick manufacturing and related industrial activity.

Upon discovery, and out of an abundance of caution, all earthwork was immediately halted in accordance with standard construction and environmental safety protocols. The District’s construction manager promptly commissioned additional soil testing and the District engaged environmental professionals to assess conditions. Analytical testing confirmed that certain compounds were detected at concentrations exceeding regulatory thresholds, triggering formal notification and involvement of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and consultation with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).

Safety has guided and will guide every decision. No work will resume without regulatory direction. The District has retained Terracon, a licensed environmental consulting firm, to develop a Site Management Plan (SMP) under NYSDEC and NYSDOH oversight. The SMP will establish clear, enforceable procedures for soil handling, worker and community protection, air monitoring, dust suppression, and long-term management.

Importantly, experts have confirmed that this historical fill has existed on the site for more than 100 years and would have been encountered during any construction work in this area regardless of whether it was for natural grass or artificial turf, utility installation, or grading. Historical fill can be found all over the state as there were no regulations to prevent this type of disposal. 

Although the discovery of the materials at this magnitude was unexpected, we plan to transform this problem into an opportunity to address and remediate the area responsibly, with full regulatory oversight and modern safety protocols. The District will implement approved cover systems such as new fields, pavement, concrete, or clean soil layers that prevent future exposure. Additionally, the original plan of a water retention basin would be replaced with an underground chambering system. This would ensure that water draining from the field doesn’t contact the historical fill materials before discharging into the existing storm water inlet.

The District is working closely with NYSDEC and NYSDOH to evaluate design modifications that substantially reduce soil disturbance, limit off-site disposal, and manage costs, while fully meeting or exceeding environmental and public health standards. Construction will only resume after regulatory approval of the Site Management Plan.

The District remains committed to transparency, regulatory compliance, and the health and safety of students, staff, and the community. While this issue was unforeseen, the response reflects prudent stewardship, expert oversight, and a clear focus on minimizing risk and ensuring the campus remains a safe place for generations to come.

This information was presented to the Board of Education at last night’s meeting. You can watch a video of the meeting or review the presentation on our website. The District will be scheduling informational meetings in the near future.

Thank you,

Kevin McGowan, Ed.D.
Superintendent