Riverhead schools and the town are still negotiating who pays for school police officers

What happened

Board members said the two-year agreement with the Town of Riverhead for two police school resource officers (SROs) has ended. Under it the district paid half of salaries and benefits. Trustees said the district budgeted $200,000, which they said equals about 58% of the cost, and that town board members publicly said the district did not budget. The board said it remains committed to the program and will keep talking with the town.

Why it matters to families

SROs are part of school safety. If talks stall, the officers' presence at district schools could change. Trustees noted Southampton provides an SRO to Phillips Avenue at no cost to the district.

The evidence

Several trustees spoke at the meeting; the Town of Riverhead's position is not in the district's records. The trustees said the town accepted the $200,000 in an email between attorneys and that the district has not stopped paying. The recording does not show a final agreement.

The source