Riverhead Board Of Education Adopts Contingency Budget

RIVERHEAD, NY — The Riverhead Central School District's board of education adopted a contingency budget on the same day that Superintendent Dr. Aurelia Henriquez resigned this week, citing "irreconcilable differences."

On Monday, the BOE adopted a $144,831,131 contingency budget that takes effect Wednesday, the start of the new fiscal school year. The budget was designed to preserve as many core academic programs as possible, the district said.

The vote came soon after residents voted down the proposed 2020 to 2021 school budget, one of only three school districts on Long Island, including Uniondale and Valley Stream 13, where residents rejected their budgets.

The board resolution indicated that the district will likely present a budget for a revote in July. The contingency budget will remain in place until the district’s board of education can have further discussions about a second budget vote. When the second budget vote is scheduled, the board can choose to place the original budget or a revised budget up for a public vote. If the voters fail to approve the budget after the second submission, the board will adopt a contingency budget, a representative for the district said.

A statewide revote cannot take place until Gov. Cuomo sets a specific date. According to a Newsday post, that revote could take place on July 21 or 28.

“While many cuts were unfortunately necessary,” said RCSD Deputy Superintendent Sam Schneider, “the goal was to ensure that our educational programming remains intact as possible.”

The budget total, representing a 0.27 percent budget-to-budget increase, was guided by education law that requires a 0 percent tax levy increase under a contingent spending plan, the district said; there must also be a freeze on equipment purchases and salary increases for individually contracted staff. After removing $223,750 in planned equipment purchases and $57,025 in salary increases from the original budget, the district needed to cut an additional $2 million to meet guidelines, a release from the district said.

Specifically, cuts were made to the following areas: athletics program ($963,978), clubs and musical performances ($317,947), after-school buses ($186,006), computer technology ($100,000), high school electives ($151,108), the science program ($135,122), the elementary literacy program ($148,459), and auto and building maintenance ($121,839).

According to a statement from Riverhead Central School District Board of Education President Gregory M. Meyer and Henriquez, on Monday, Henriquez submitted her resignation based upon "certain irreconcilable differences and in the best interests of her family."

The district and Dr. Henriquez have executed a separation agreement; Dr. Henriquez's resignation will be effective June 30, the statement said.

"The Board of Education wishes to thank Dr. Henriquez for her commitment to the students, staff and community during her tenure with the district," the statement said. "Dr. Henriquez extends her appreciation to the students, staff and community for their support of her leadership as superintendent of schools."

The Board of Education appointed Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Christina Tona to serve as interim superintendent, also effective July 1.

The BOE intends to begin a "thorough search process to identify the best candidate to serve as the district's next superintendent of schools," the release said. "Since this is a confidential matter of personnel, the Board of Education, the district and Dr. Henriquez will have no further comments regarding this matter."

In February, residents also said "no" to a $96.5 million bond resolution that would have funded repairs and renovations throughout the Riverhead Central School District.