During its Jan. 26 meeting, the Riverhead Central School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution expressing its concern about potential development within the district boundaries that could result in an influx of students to the district.
“We believe that all students in this community have a right to a complete education in our schools,” said Board President Laurie Downs after the meeting. “Nevertheless, we feel that we need help from the Town of Riverhead and developers to ensure that our schools are right-sized for the population.”
According to the resolution, the board firmly believes in its mission to educate all students who reside within the district; and takes note of increased demands for instructional space in each of the district's seven buildings; and recognizes the difficult financial situation that would befall the district should it need to accommodate additional students.
The board also notes, however, that continued development of housing within the district, and in particular within the downtown Riverhead area, is unsustainable; and that existing limits on development of apartments in the downtown Riverhead area should be strictly enforced as they are currently written; and that any future development should not be permitted without feasible solutions to solve the fiscal costs of expanding instructional space in the district.
With the adopted resolution, the board has authorized the administration to enter into discussions with the Town of Riverhead to achieve these objectives.
“We look forward to a continued partnership with the Town of Riverhead on this vital issue,” interim Superintendent Christine Tona said.