Last Friday, Riverhead Central School District began the process of eliminating the positions of 38 Riverhead Central Faculty Association members.
We cannot have a conversation about the fiscal state of the district without being honest about the significant and ongoing impact that the Gap Elimination Adjustment, Riverhead’s Foundation Aid shortfall, the Riverhead IDA, and the Riverhead Charter School have had on our students, our school and the taxpayers of Riverhead.
From 2010-2016 – The Gap Elimination adjustment diverted $13,851,313 from Riverhead.
From 2009-2023 – Riverhead’s Foundation Aid was underfunded by $188,551,040
From 2014-2021 – Riverhead IDA abated $23 million in taxes.
From 2011-2024 – RCSD and its taxpayers have paid $73.209,338 in charter school tuition.
This means that at least $300 million dollars in revenue has been diverted from the Riverhead Central School District.
This year alone, $14,362,107 has been siphoned from our coffers.
$2.7 million is from Riverhead IDA tax abatements and the other $11,662,107 is for tuition to the Riverhead Charter School.
$14,362,107 is the equivalent of over 145 educational professional positions that could have an immediate, direct, and lasting impact on our students.
$14,362,107 . . . if that money stayed with the district we would be adding positions and not reducing positions.
The constant growth of the Riverhead Charter School has had a direct impact on the revenue of the school district.
When a charter school is established, its funding takes priority over a public school.
They are in essence the first lien holder.
When our school budget failed, and the children of Riverhead went without, it did not affect the Riverhead Charter School funding.
When Riverhead public schools had a large influx of high-need students that required a host of resources, it did not affect Riverhead Charter school funding.
When the state failed to provide Riverhead $188 million in foundation aid which we were legally entitled to, it did not affect Riverhead Charter school funding.
Since 2011, the Riverhead Charter School has received nearly 75 million in taxpayer dollars, yet the taxpayers of Riverhead have no legal right to see how their money was spent.
This year alone Riverhead Charter School has siphoned $11.6 million from Riverhead Central School District, depleting funds that are needed for essential services for the children of our school district.
Every dollar given to Riverhead Charter School means fewer resources available for Riverhead Public Schools and once again our students will suffer a reduction in programs, while the Riverhead Charter School funding per student will increase next year.
This is a parasitic relationship and Riverhead School District is the host organism.
Gregory Wallace
Calverton
Gregory Wallace is the president of the Riverhead Central Faculty Association.
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