Residents Pass $111.7 Million Riverhead School Budget

The mood at Riverhead High School on Tuesday night was celebratory as voters passed the 2012-2013 .

Of the voters who participated, 1,703 voted to pass the budget; 1,061 voted no.

"It's wonderful," said Riverhead School Superintendent Nancy Carney, adding she was happy the public has supported the budget, which she said was fiscally sound and maintained programs. 

Lois Etzel, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said after the polls closed on Tuesday night that the voting had been "pretty steady, but a little bit less than what we had last year. It's always a little light when it rains."

Two new members were also elected to the Riverhead Board of Education. Aquebogue resident Sue Koukounas received 1,842 votes and Tom Carson received 1,678.

This year, voting took place at a number of polling sites. Carney said last week that the multiple locations helped to increase voter participation during the October 2011 bond vote.

"The system of local voting locations worked well during our October 2011 bond vote and greatly increased voter participation," Carney wrote in an email last week.

Voters turned out in a steady stream . Many interviewed said .