Riverhead School Budget Passes

RIVERHEAD, NY — Voters turned out to support students Tuesday in Riverhead, passing a proposed 2018 to 2019 Riverhead Central School District budget of $140,380,950 by a resounding margin of 1,581 to 862.

Proposition #2 for cafeteria upgrades also passed by a vote of 1,806 to 623, and proposition 3, for the establishment of a cafeteria reserve fund, passed by a vote of 1,654 to 772.

In the Board of Education race, with seven candidates running for three open seats, incumbent Susan Koukounas won with 1,237 votes, Brian P. Connelly was elected with 1,133 votes, and Elizabeth C. Silva also secured a seat after garnering 933 votes. Incumbent Ronald Fisher received 867 votes; candidates Joshua Berezny received 563 votes, Amelia Lantz, 884, and Gregory-John Fischer, 498.

"Through sound fiscal management, the budget maintains and preserves all of the district's educational programs and services and improves security," a budget message said.

The budget reflects a budget-to-budget increase of 2.93 percent and a "minimal" 0.91 percent tax levy increase, district officials said.

"The district prides itself on ensuring that students receive a first-rate educational experience with a budget that does not overburden our taxpayers," said
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Aurelia Henriquez.

The budget, she said, continues to sustain a curriculum that upholds academic achievement for about 5,500 students; supports 141 students enrolled in career training courses at BOCES; maintains extracurricular activities; preserves the district's athletic programs; and improves security through the purchase of new radios, training for staff and hiring of a school resource officer.

Approval of Proposition No. 2 permits the district to use food services funds to purchase a walk-in freezer at Phillips Avenue Elementary. Phillips Avenue Elementary serves more meals per day than any other school in the district, but has the smallest freezer unit, district officials said.

The proposition also provides funds to install larger sinks at Aquebogue, Phillips and Riley Elementary schools. Up to $154,500 of cafeteria fund money will be expended on the projects; the funds are solely from cafeteria sales and not the taxpayers, district officials said.

Proposition No. 3 establishes a cafeteria capital reserve of up to $4 million
to fund future improvements to the district's cafeteria program. The funds placed in the savings account will not include any taxpayer dollars and would be funded solely by cafeteria revenue, and any expenditures made through the account
would require taxpayer approval, the district assured.

Patch file photo.