Riverhead Board of Education

Riverhead school district voters approved a $211.4 million operating budget for the coming school year Tuesday by a vote of 1,004 to 793.

Riverhead Central School District voters will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on a $211.4 million spending plan for the 2025-2026 school year. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Riverhead High School gym.

The roles of executive director of elementary education, director of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and director of humanities are all being cut in the 2025-2026 budget, Interim Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich said.

The Riverhead Board of Education yesterday adopted a revised Code of Conduct with new district-wide policies that prohibit gang-related clothing and activities, emphasize punishments for “offensive” behavior, and create the procedure for using metal detectors on students. 

Board President James Scudder of Aquebogue and Trustee Matthew Wallace of Calverton were the only two candidates to file nominating petitions for the two open seats this year

The Riverhead Board of Education voted unanimously on Wednesday to send a $211 million budget for next school year to district voters for approval. It would increase expenditures by nearly $10 million, or roughly 5%.

Riverhead students performed below the county average on standardized tests in the 2023-24 school year, and had a 79% four-year graduation rate.

The union representing the district's non-instructional staff said members' low pay means high turnover rates and urged the district to settle the contract, which has been in negotiation for about a year.

The Riverhead Board of Education will need to decide whether or not to participate in a controversial initiative introduced by the by the State Education Department aimed at encouraging nearby school districts to share resources.

The Riverhead Central School District launched an online survey this week to obtain community members’ opinions on what qualities the next superintendent should possess and what they should prioritize coming into office. The survey is available in multiple languages and will be open until Dec. 20.