Community Comes Together To Pass Riverhead School Budget

RIVERHEAD, NY — Residents in the Riverhead Central School District voted Tuesday to approve the proposed budget for the 2019-2020 school year, 1468 to 806.

The district's $144,430,212 budget calls for a 2.88 percent increase in spending over the current year and the tax levy increase is 2.21 percent, which is within the tax levy cap.

"We are proud that we are able to offer our community and taxpayers a budget that holds the line on taxes while also providing our students with an exceptional education," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Aurelia Henriquez.

Voters also passed, 1,455 to 797, a proposition for a five-year bus purchase plan that includes the purchase of 44 new diesel, propane and gasoline buses at a cost not to exceed $3,993,000. The new buses will replace vehicles in the district's fleet over the next five years.

In addition, voters approved, 1706 to 558, the cafeteria capital reserve proposition that will allow the district to spend funds that voters approved in May, 2018 to be appropriated for improvements to the district's cafeteria.

Specifically, the district asked voters for approval to spend up to $275,000 from the Cafeteria Capital Reserve to convert the walk-in refrigerator at the high school loading dock to a walk-in freezer; replace doors and improve the loading dock at the high school; convert the dry goods storage at the middle school kitchen to a walk-in freezer; and improve the kitchen entryway at the middle school.

Four candidates faced off for two Board of Education seats; those candidates included Jerome J. Bost, Matthew Wallace. Elizabeth C. Silva and Laurie A. Downs.

The winners were Wallace, with 1,148 and incumbent Downs, with 1,155.

Bost received 1,033 votes and Silva, 845.

For additional information and to view all budget presentations, visit the budget page on the district's website here.