Colin Palmer

It was a night to say congratulations, thank you and farewell for the Riverhead Board of Education, which honored students for their achievements, retiring employees for their service to the district and teachers for milestones attained.

The school board reappointed Laurie Downs as president but could not agree on a vice president last night. Trustees Brian Connelly and Colin Palmer were sworn in, as was the new Superintendent Dr. Augustine Tornatore.

Colin Palmer, Riverhead school trustee-elect, is the first elected official in Suffolk County to be a member of the Democratic-Socialists of America organization.

In their own words: Q&A with school board candidate Colin Palmer

Colin Palmer, 30, of Northville says one factor in his decision to run is the demise of the Latin program in Riverhead, "a more than 100-year-old gem in the crown" of the district.