Voters in school districts across the state on Tuesday will weigh in on budget proposals for the 2026-2027 school year and elect district trustees, who oversee administration and finance and set district policies.
In Riverhead, voters have before them a $218.88 million spending plan, which the district’s top business official described as tightly constrained by rising costs in special education, transportation, benefits and charter-school spending.
The proposed budget represents a 3.52% spending increase over the current year. The associated tax levy increase is 2.91%, remaining within the district’s state-imposed property tax levy cap for 2026-2027.
| Three-Part Component Budget | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | 2025-26 Current | 2026-27 Proposed | $ Change | % Change |
| Administrative Component | $16,965,818 | $18,550,831 | $1,585,013 | 9.34% |
| Instructional Component | $169,812,570 | $175,309,223 | $5,496,653 | 3.24% |
| Capital Component | $24,656,112 | $25,019,946 | $363,834 | 1.48% |
| Total Expenditure Budget | $211,434,500 | $218,880,000 | $7,445,500 | 3.52% |
The proposed budget estimates $90 million in state aid. The final state aid amount remains unknown, because the state legislature has not yet approved a budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The legislature and governor have passed a series of temporary “budget extenders” to keep state government operating. The latest extender runs through today, May 18. School aid formulas are reportedly on the list of issues still being negotiated by lawmakers and the governor.
See detailed budget information on the district’s website.
District trustee election
Riverhead voters on Tuesday will also choose four candidates from a five-person field in an at-large election.
Three of the seats carry full three-year terms running from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. The fourth slot is for a one-year term running from May 19, 2026 through June 30, 2027, to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of a board member last June. The fourth-highest vote-getter in the upcoming vote will complete the remainder of that term, which expires June 30, 2027.
The position of district trustee is an unpaid, volunteer position.
Brief biographies of the five candidates and their responses to two questions posed by RiverheadLOCAL appear below in alphabetical order. Each candidate was asked to answer the same questions.
Natasha Cooks
Natasha Cooks is a Calverton resident who has lived in the district for 30 years. She is a newcomer seeking a first term of office. Cooks works as a social worker and holds degrees from Suffolk County Community College and Stony Brook University, including a master of social work degree. She has three children, including one currently attending Pulaski Street School.
What experience or perspective would you bring to the school board?
I would bring the perspective of a social worker who has spent years working directly with children, families, and community members who often feel unheard in large systems. My experience has taught me how to listen deeply, advocate effectively, and navigate complex challenges with compassion and accountability.
I approach every issue through a student‑centered lens, focusing on academic excellence, responsible budgeting, and the well‑being of the whole child. I understand the importance of collaboration, transparency, and building trust with families. As a trustee, I would bring a steady, empathetic, and solutions‑focused voice committed to ensuring every student in Riverhead has the opportunity to thrive.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the school district over the next few years, and how would you approach it as a board member?
One of the biggest challenges facing the district is the enrollment growth, and with that, balancing the rising student needs. Our children will only see a decline in educational quality if we do not respond promptly. I would approach this by grounding decisions in data, listening to families and educators, and ensuring that resources are directed where they have the greatest impact on student learning and well‑being.
As a social worker, I understand that when we focus on the whole child, their academic needs, emotional health, stability, and sense of belonging, we create the conditions for true academic success. Supporting students holistically not only strengthens individual outcomes but also builds a healthier, more resilient district overall.
Jasmine Corwin
Jasmine Corwin of Aquebogue has lived in the district for 18 years and is also seeking office for the first time. A stay-at-home mother, she holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in public relations from SUNY Oneonta. She has three children attending Riverhead schools.
What experience or perspective would you bring to the school board?
As a parent, longtime PTO volunteer, and active member of our school community, I bring a strong understanding of the day-to-day experiences of students, families, and staff. Over the years, I have served in various PTO roles, which has allowed me to work closely with parents, teachers, and administrators to support school programs, events, and student success.
As a stay-at-home mom who is deeply involved in my children’s education, I have had the opportunity to be present, listen, and understand the needs of our schools firsthand. I believe this perspective is valuable because effective school board decisions should reflect both educational goals and the real concerns of families.
In addition, my Bachelor’s degree in Communications has helped me develop strong listening, problem-solving, and communication skills. I believe clear communication, transparency, and collaboration are essential to building trust between the board, district leadership, and the community.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the school district over the next few years, and how would you approach it as a board member?
One of the biggest challenges facing our school district is balancing academic excellence with the financial realities that impact both our schools and taxpayers. Families want strong educational opportunities, safe schools, and programs that help every child succeed, while also needing responsible budgeting and long-term planning.
As a board member, I would approach this by focusing on transparency, careful financial oversight, and open communication with the community. I believe decisions should always be made with students’ best interests at the center, while also respecting the concerns of taxpayers.
Another important challenge is ensuring that every student feels supported—academically, socially, and emotionally. Strong schools are built not only on academics, but also on a sense of belonging and partnership between families and educators. I would work to support policies that strengthen that connection and help every student reach their full potential.
Julio Gonzalez
Julio Gonzalez of Riverhead has lived in the district for 21 years. A university professor, he holds advanced degrees in special education, fine arts, mental health counseling and developmental psychology. He has two children in high school. Gonzalez was appointed by the board in July 2025 to fill the board vacancy until this year’s election.
What experience or perspective would you bring to the school board?
I would bring more than three decades of professional experience in education and special education, working closely with diverse families and supporting children with a wide range of learning and developmental needs. Throughout my career, I have focused on collaboration, advocacy, and helping students reach their full potential while ensuring families feel heard and supported.
I also bring the perspective of a parent. As the father of two adolescents in the Riverhead Central School District, I have seen firsthand the positive and formative impact our schools can have on students and families. Those experiences have strengthened my appreciation for the dedication of our teachers, staff, and administrators.
Most importantly, I would bring a thoughtful, student-centered approach to decision-making and a strong commitment to serving the entire community. I consider it a privilege to contribute my experience and perspective in support of the district’s continued growth and success.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the school district over the next few years, and how would you approach it as a board member?
Like many districts, Riverhead will continue to face challenges related to evolving student needs, educational expectations, staffing, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all students. In addressing these challenges, I believe one of the most important priorities is maintaining a strong, stable, and effective faculty, administration, and support staff. When educators feel supported and valued, students benefit directly through stronger educational experiences and outcomes.
As a board member, I would advocate for high expectations for all students while also promoting accountability, collaboration, and equity throughout the district. Every student deserves access to high-quality educational opportunities, resources, and support, regardless of background or individual needs.
I would approach the role with optimism, commitment, and a collaborative mindset, always guided by the belief that our community shares the common goal of providing the best possible education and future for our children.
Erica Murphy
Erica Murphy of Manorville has lived in the district for 17 years. A self-employed accountant, she has served on the board since 2023. She holds a master’s degree in accounting, a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an associate degree in human resources. She has two children attending Riverhead schools.
What experience or perspective would you bring to the school board?
If elected, this will be my second term on the board and I bring the experiences of the last three years along with my skills as an accountant with me to continue the good work we have done during my time on the board. It truly has been an honor to serve our district, working hard to move our district in a positive direction while monitoring financial spending and being accountable to our community . We have set goals and been able to create stability in the district, make hard decisions that are best for the children and staff, and set policies to ensure fiscal accountability to our district taxpayers.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the school district over the next few years, and how would you approach it as a board member?
I believe the one of the biggest challenges we currently face for Riverhead Central School district is rising costs that impact the school district and then tightening of funding from the state and federal government which increase the burden on our community. The 2% increases each year we are seeing in state funding is less than the annual inflation adjustments we see in the costs to the district. As a district we have worked hard to put out a conservative budget, doing more with less and ensuring we are not piercing the cap to put more financial burden on our taxpayers. If reelected to the board I will continue to provide fiscal oversight to ensure we are working within our means while we ensure we provide the best education and programs for our students. I would continue to ensure the necessity and relevance of the items that come before the board are necessary and fiscally responsible.
Cynthia Redmond
Cynthia Redmond of Aquebogue has lived in the district for 22 years and has served on the board since 2023. She works as a prevention supervisor and holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Stony Brook University. She has two children who attended Riverhead High School.
What experience or perspective would you bring to the school board?
I want to start by saying that it has been a privilege to serve as a Board of Education Trustee in Riverhead Central School District for the past three years. Beyond my personal experience as a parent in the district and my professional experience as a Prevention Supervisor for Riverhead Community Awareness Program, Inc. (CAP), I have enjoyed being a small part of the growth and success of our district. That said, success lies squarely on the shoulders of our amazing students and their families, the faculty members who inspire them, and the community that supports them. My first term as a trustee had a steep learning curve because even though I brought experience and knowledge to the position, there was so much to learn. I am grateful for the formal training and day-to-day guidance I received. I am also appreciative and have deep respect for my fellow trustees. Together, we worked tirelessly to make improvements and regain the confidence of the community through personnel, policies and procedures. As a result, two schools are no longer designated by NYSED as target schools in need of additional support, graduation rates for special education students have increased, absenteeism has decreased, and through our oversight and investments, facility improvements and security measures have ensured a safe learning environment for students.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the school district over the next few years, and how would you approach it as a board member?
Like most districts across New York State, we must contend with rising costs and how we can meet the needs of students while being respectful and responsive to the financial limitations of taxpayers. As a trustee, I am firmly committed to keeping our budgets within the tax cap, seeking greater efficiencies through program evaluation, and advocating for fair and equitable funding from New York State. These concerns propelled the Board of Education to look for creative ways to make much-needed capital improvements and lower costs. In the past year, our Board of Education approved an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) which will move the district to solar energy, install energy efficient lighting and weatherization improvements, installation of new boilers, etc. Over time, our energy costs will be dramatically reduced without any additional cost to the taxpayer for this significant capital improvement.
Investing in education benefits everyone in the community. I have always admired the fact that so many people who grew up in Riverhead choose to raise their families here. They know what other people might not. Riverhead provides quality education, offers a multitude of opportunities and produces a vibrant and dedicated workforce. Our students attend high-ranking colleges, serve honorably in our military, and are the hardworking tradespeople we depend upon. From AP and dual enrollment course offerings, career and technology education, special education, NJROTC, award-winning music and fine arts, service clubs, and athletics, Riverhead offers something for everyone. I am proud to serve as a Riverhead Central School District Trustee and humbly request that you vote for me on May 19th.
Polls will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the gym at Riverhead High School, 700 Harrison Ave., Riverhead.
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