Out of space and money
By Carolyn Thorenz

RIVERHEAD--The yearly income of households in Riverhead School District is a cool $98,000. At least that's what New York State says, according to district officials. That figure could create a financial burden for the district as it prepares to undertake a high school building expansion, they contend.

Interim assistant superintendent of business, Dr. Joseph Singleton, informed the district's volunteer space-planning committee that the state's methodolgy in calculating average household income is part of the reason Riverhead doesn't receive more in state aid. The district receives about 20% of its operating budget in state aid.

The space-planning committee has been brainstorming for the past six months, trying to come up with economically sound ways to enlarge the high school.

The state apparently calculates income figures from taxes that are filed, according to Dr. Singleton. "If a resident doesn't file an income tax, it isn't counted," he said. "If there are people in the community who are in a lower income bracket and aren't filing, the state doesn't know about them."

"The state assumes there is a great deal of property wealth behind each child," interim Superintendent Dr. Joseph Laria said. He said later that "what you're doing here is reinventing Riverhead. The perception of income tax[es] needs to be corrected."

Space committee chairman Ken Zahler said the $98,000 figure doesn't make sense when 32% of the district's students receive free or reduced-cost lunches.

Dr. Singleton said the committee and the school board need to have an income-verification update as part of the expansion plan.

School board member Kathy Berezny said that if the town income figures are high, state building aid will be low.

Dr. Singleton said enrollment projections are another critical issue when it comes to building growth. He suggested that a census and demographic study be conducted to see where district enrollment will be over the next five years.

The committee voted that a plan for pursuing such studies be discussed with the school board.

School board members Mary Ellen Harkin and Christine Prete observed the space committee at work. Ms. Prete said a census would be an important factor in determining the size of a high school building or expansion project.

"We can't plan a building estimating for 1,500 students and then discover we have 1,800," Ms. Prete said.

According to Dr. Singleton, New York State regulations require a building addition of at least 262,500 square feet for 1,500 students. Regulations allow 180 square feet of space per student. If the district is considering building a new high school, 60 acres of land would be required.

Dr. Laria said the space-to-enrollment ratio for a school building has grown over the years due to changes in the special-education curriculum and technology. The district currently has 1,390 students registered at the high school.

The committee is preparing expansion information to be presented to the school board in December. It discussed adding to the existing high school as well as looking for land for building a new high school. Member Ray Hughes suggested building a separate sports complex with Astroturf and using current athletic fields to build out existing school buildings.

The committee will meet with three architects next month. At that time, members will tour all the buildings in the district and discuss options for growth. Dr. Laria said any committee suggestions must be approved by the school board.