Riverhead school board approves energy contract financing, names new Roanoke principal

The Riverhead Board of Education approved financing for the district’s energy performance contract, announced the appointment of a new Roanoke Elementary School principal and took action on a series of routine business items at its April 21 meeting held at Riverhead Middle School.

Board members approved a resolution authorizing financing through TD Bank for the district’s $27.5 million energy performance contract after the district received proposals from TD Bank, Bank of America and Capital One, officials said.

Energy performance contracts allow public entities to finance capital improvements using guaranteed energy savings. In Riverhead’s case, the project comprises 34 separate upgrades across eight schools, with no impact to the district’s property-tax payers. State building aid will reimburse about 37.6% of eligible costs, while rebates and incentives are expected to total $5.7 million, according to district documents.

The energy-saving work to be done includes the installation of solar photovoltaic arrays at seven school buildings. Six of the systems will be mounted on parking-lot carports and one, at Phillips Avenue Elementary School, will be ground-mounted. 

Other improvements include: LED lighting upgrades in every building; boiler and burner replacements; new natural gas service to Phillips Avenue and Riley Avenue schools; building-management system improvements; new unit ventilators at two schools; transformer replacements; weatherization and insulation upgrades; high-efficiency pumps and motors; and software and control systems that reduce electricity use by computers, air-conditioning equipment and other devices. See prior story.

The board last Tuesday also announced that Jessica Farmer, currently assistant principal at Pulaski Street School, has been appointed principal of Roanoke Elementary School. She will succeed Mr. Payton, who is retiring at the end of this school year.

In other business, the board voted to approve the 2026-2027 BOCES administrative budget and cast its vote for BOCES board candidates. 

Trustees also accepted the results of the special district meeting for the Riverhead Public Library and Baiting Hollow Public Library vote.

Trustees also appointed election workers for the annual district meeting May 19, at which district residents will vote on the district’s proposed 2026-2027 budget and fill four seats on the board of education.  See prior story.

Trustees accepted two donations, including a $1,500 gift from the Suffolk County chapter of the New York State School Facilities Association to fund a scholarship for a graduating senior and about $200 in building supplies from Riverhead Building Supply for use in a Roanoke Elementary School play.

At the start of the meeting, the district recognized three winter scholar-athlete teams: girls winter track, winter cheerleading and varsity girls basketball.

Riverhead’s Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics Melissa Edwards said Riverhead’s scholar-athletes exceeded the criteria for the award established by New York State Public High School Athletic Association, which requires 75% of the team roster maintain averages above 90.

“The three teams being honored here tonight blew that out of the water,” Edwards said. Each team had averages of around 95, she said. “So that is something that we can absolutely give a nice round of applause to. I want to thank not only our student athletes, but our coaches, our teachers and, of course, the parents,” Edwards said.

Coaches of each team praised the students for balancing academics, athletics and other responsibilities, while board members congratulated the athletes and thanked their families for supporting them.

The school board’s student representative, Eric Gabrielsen, highlighted activities and accomplishments across the district, including: science fairs and the National Circus project at elementary schools; Pulaski Street students visiting the residents at the Westhampton Care Center;  the middle school hosting its annual honors concert: and the high school chess club making a strong showing at the second annual North Fork Challenge, where four students placing in the top 10, and all six participants finishing in the top 12 out of 24 competitors.

Trustee Cynthia Redmond gave a report from the Wellness Committee, which included updates on food services, student support services and athletics.  Redmond said the Wellness Committee had an update on registrations for the district’s universal pre-K program, which saw more than 180 students register for the upcoming school year. A lottery is scheduled for the end of this month to fill available spots. 

The committee also reported that the district is exploring a low- or no-cost online counseling platform to expand student access to mental health services and is preparing for its extended school year program.

During board remarks, Trustee Virginia Healy recognized District Clerk Sawn Bozuhoski ahead of Administrative Professionals Day. Healy also thanked student representative Eric Gabrielsen for a proposal related to career readiness and post-secondary preparation, saying some of the ideas may be worth considering in future budget cycles.