Riverhead School Budget Vote Passes Handily

RIVERHEAD, NY — The voters have spoken in Riverhead: The Riverhead Central School District's proposed $191,999,201 budget, which represents a budget-to-budget increase of 13.11 percent and a tax levy increase of 1 percent, passed by a vote of 1,333 to 769.

The winners of the Board of Education race are incumbent Virginia Healy with 1,357 votes, Erica Murphy with 1,299 votes, and Cynthia Redmond with 1,150 votes. James J. Scudder, who received 1,005 votes, will take the seat previously held by Laurie Downs and begin his term this week.

"The Riverhead Central School District proposed budget for the 2023-2024 school year maintains and builds upon existing courses, programs, and extracurricular activities offered within the district. The proposed budget limits the tax levy increase to 1 percent. The proposed budget invests in alternative education, adult education, new courses and instruction support, and technology. It also allows for the expansion of the music and arts and athletics departments, as well as supports district-wide security enhancements," the budget newsletter said.