Riverhead Central School District: School Voters Guide 2012

VOTING

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Riley Avenue Elementary School in Calverton, Aquebogue Elementary School in Aquebogue and Phillips Avenue Elementary School and Riverhead High School, both in Riverhead.

THE BUDGET

The district proposes a $111,773,597 budget for 2012-13, a 1.99 percent increase over the current $109,594,658 budget. The local tax levy would rise 1.73 percent, from $86,794,515 to $88,292,387. This increase is within the state's tax-cap limit of 1.73 percent, so a simple majority vote will be required to approve the budget.

District officials said they could not provide estimates of school taxes because the state has not yet issued its equalization rates. Most of the district is in the Town of Riverhead, and it includes portions of the towns of Brookhaven and Southampton. Current tax rates in each are $1,601.94 per $100 of assessed value in the Town of Brookhaven; $95.09 per $1,000 of assessed value in the Town of Riverhead; and $14.58 per $1,000 of assessed value in the Town of Southampton.

The budget reflects a reduction of about 12 teaching positions and 10 other positions, the district said. Classes in elementary and secondary schools may be larger, the middle school will cut out ninth period and go to an eight-period day, and sports programs will see slight reductions. Because of increased state aid, about two teaching positions will be restored.

District website

www.riverhead.net

THE CANDIDATES

Thomas Carson and Susan Koukounas are running unopposed for two at-large seats. Terms are three years.