Riverhead board approves consent and new-business items, first reading of Code of Conduct; public raises concern about gang profile

The Riverhead Central School District Board of Education on April 29 approved a series of consent and new-business items and accepted the first reading of a revised Code of Conduct (Board Policy 5300).

Motions recorded on the public agenda were approved as presented. Among the items acted on were an emergency purchase of replacement school buses after multiple vehicles were damaged beyond repair; one-year extensions for four UPK (Universal Pre-K) program contracts covering July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 (a clerical date in the agenda was corrected); and a five-year, no-cost memorandum of understanding with Stony Brook University for a Future Scholars program covering 2025–2030.

The board also accepted two mini-grants: a $500 LGBT Network mini-grant to offset conference attendance costs for the 2024–25 school year and an $11,960 New York State Connect Kids to Parks grant to reimburse Pulaski student field-trip costs to Orient State Park. The board approved use of a Sourcewell Snap-on Industrial cooperative contract for transportation shop supplies and vehicle-lift equipment, approved a new high-school precalculus course for next year, and approved disposal of nine surplus school buses. The board accepted a donation from Gabriel Farms LLC of a greenhouse shade for the high school (approximate value $200; availability 04/01/2025–12/01/2025) and approved the Pulaski field trip dates to Orient State Park (May 28–30 and June 2), noting the trip cost will be reimbursed by the Connect Kids to Parks grant.

During the first reading of Board Policy 5300 (Code of Conduct) the agenda included two exhibit items: a parent acknowledgment form regarding tracking devices and an exhibit described as a “profile of gang members in Suffolk County.” In public comment Kimberly Wilder of Osborne Avenue asked the board to review the proposed gang profile exhibit and said she would evaluate it further; she also asked whether it was true that To Kill a Mockingbird had been removed from a grade‑level curriculum. The board said it had not heard that rumor and would look into the curricular question.

All motions on the consent and new‑business items were moved, seconded and approved on voice vote with the board chair calling “all in favor” and noting the motion passed.

Ending: The meeting adjourned; the board indicated it would meet again next week.