School Vote 2018: Riverhead Budget, BOE Candidates

RIVERHEAD, NY — Voters are heading out Tuesday to vote on a proposed 2018 to 2019 Riverhead Central School District budget of $140,380,950 that remains under the confines of the New York State tax levy cap.

"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 proposed 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 proposed 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.

Taxpayers will be asked to consider two additional propositions. At no additional
cost to taxpayers, Proposition No. 2 and Proposition No. 3 will allow for the
improvement of cafeterias districtwide, the district said.

Approval of Proposition No. 2 will permit 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 will also provide 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, would establish 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 would 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.

Polls remain open until 9 p.m.

The race for board of education has incumbents Ronald Fisher and Susan Koukounas vying against challengers Joshua Berezny, Brian Connelly, Gregory Fischer, Amelia Lantz and Elizabeth Silva for three seats.

For additional information on the budget, click here.