Charter School Cancels Land Purchase For Controversial Expansion

RIVERHEAD, NY — The Riverhead Charter School has canceled a land purchase and proposed plan to expand on Sound Avenue that sparked fierce controversy.

David Edwards, president of the Riverhead Charter School board of trustees told Patch: "I can confirm we have canceled the land purchase."

In a letter to the community shared with Patch, Edwards wrote: "Due to the direct attacks on our students, which have threatened their psychological safety, we are making the tough decision to withdraw our bid on Potato Acres. Though our plans to expand our physical presence have met obstacles, our spirit remains indomitable. The decision to step back from the property bid with Potato Land LLC was made with heavy hearts, but our resolve to find a new space — a new home for our growing family — stands firm."

A passionate crowd packed Riverhead Town Hall last month, taking turns at the podium and speaking for more than three hours about the proposed expansion of the Riverhead Charter School on Sound Avenue in Northville, which had the students and residents sharply divided.

Riverhead Charter School Superintendent Raymond Ankrum said in November that the plan was to purchase more than 70 acres of farmland for a new high school on Sound Avenue.

The plan had not been formally submitted to the town board — and the town board would have needed to grant a special use permit for the proposal to proceed, as the parcel is in an agricultural protection zoning district.

Ankrum told Patch before the town board meeting — where the board moved to allow public comment before the evening's scheduled proceedings due to the standing-room only crowd — that the high school expansion was crucial due to the increased demand from students and families. With the closure of other school options like McGann-Mercy High School, the need for additional space has reached an all-time high, he said.

Ankrum also told Patch that the 71-plus acre parcel in question is divided into four parts; three of those parts have development rights intact, covering a total of 12.3 acres of land and space; the remaining parcel consists of 59.2 acres of restricted agricultural land, he said.

At the meeting, students spoke passionately about the need to expand the school, advocating for a cafeteria, gym, and options for advanced classes and college preparation.

William Pierce, an 8th grade student at the Riverhead Charter School, said expansion would mean that students would have a cafeteria, something that is not currently available. "Expansion would give me and my peers the same opportunities as students in the districts around us," he said.

Others expressed just what the school means to them: "The Riverhead Charter School is a second home to us," one student said.

Community residents expressed concerns about traffic and quality of life issues, and stood opposed to the expansion.

Virginia Scudder, mother of three Riverhead Central School District students and SEPTA president, spoke passionately against the proposal: "While touted as innovative alternatives, charter schools pose a serious threat to the foundation of public education," she said. "First and foremost, charter schools siphon much-needed funds away from public schools." The school, she said, was "trying to skirt the rules" by proposing a farm and produce. "Thank you for the offer, but my neighborhood farmers and businesses do just that — and that offer is a way to manipulate the rules."

Former Riverhead High School PTSO President Mary Maki, as did many others, commended the students who spoke for their eloquence, adding that they were proponents of education. But, she said, preserving open space is critical. "It's very important to save what ever open space we have left," Maki said.

Sterling and Raaya Churgin of the Henpecked Husband farm spoke. "We have to allow the next generation of farmers to farm. Farmers are essential," Raaya said. "We are protecting that for the future. The land we have, is all there is going to be. We don't get more land."