Voters approve a $218.9 million Riverhead school budget

What happened

Riverhead voters approved the 2026-27 school budget of $218,880,000, up 3.52% (about $7.4 million). The tax levy rises 2.91%, inside the state tax cap. The district's results page lists 944 yes and 841 no votes, a margin of 103.

Why it matters to families

Most of the increase pays for special education services and transportation (about $4 million), employee benefits ($2.1 million) and charter school costs (about $1 million). The budget uses $6.47 million of fund balance and about $1.55 million from reserves to balance.

The evidence

The superintendent's May 20 letter announces the budget passed. The proposed budget documents show spending up $7,445,500 and a levy of $113,323,650 (up $3,201,056). Vote counts of 944 to 841 are from the district's 2026-27 budget and election results page, which was read for this review but is not among the stored documents. Voting took place at one site, Riverhead High School.

The source