Just In:
Tuesday 10/11..10 pm.....BOND ISSUE PASSES WITH 2330 VOTES IN FAVOR...or approximately 53% of votes cast.

The Controversial Bond Issue

On October 11 residents of the Riverhead school district will vote on a $78.3 million dollar bond issue proposed by the Riverhead  School Board.  A second proposal asks for approval of a $6.9 million dollar bond to support construction of a second gym at the High School.

According to the mailers sent out to all residents, the larger bond is to fund various renovations, repairs and additional classroom space throughout the district.  While there is some criticism by residents as to the necessity for the repair and space projects the strongest opposition comes from those who object to the bad timing of the bond issuance.  Many who object ask the same question over and over.  Why haven't these urgently needed projects been started or partially paid for through a system of reserve funding and daily maintenance?  In other words, do what you can over each school year, one year at a time.

No doubt that much blame can be placed on previous school boards, which, over the past 5 or 10 years, could have had the foresight to target some of those areas that were in such poor repair.

In this era of a terrible economy, high unemployment, high property taxes and limited help from Albany this Board is asking a lot of it's residents and we strongly urge them to go back to the drawing board on this one.

The Preserve Journal recommends a No vote on both bond proposals.