Board of Education seats up for grabs in Riverhead, SWR

Six candidates are seeking three open seats on the Riverhead Board of Education next month, including two incumbents hoping to hold onto their positions. 

Board Vice President Amelia Lantz and member Christopher Dorr are seeking re-election on May 17, while some familiar faces will once again seek a spot on the board. A seat left open by the resignation of Lori Hulse — who was elected to the position of Town Justice last fall — is also up for grabs.

Longtime school board watchdog Laurie Downs and Greg Fischer, a perennial candidate for various local offices, are hoping to fill Ms. Hulse’s seat. Brad Harnig who ran for school board last year, and Thomas Kruger, an assistant superintendent in the town’s water district, are also seeking a seat.

Last year, Ms. Downs came in third place in a five-person race for two seats, falling 49 votes short of earning a spot on the board. Mr. Fischer finished fourth and Mr. Harnig fifth, each falling short by more than 200 and 400 votes, respectively.

Ms. Lantz is seeking her third term on the board and Mr. Dorr is seeking his second. Board terms run for three years.

In Shoreham-Wading River, three candidates are running for two open seats, with only board member Richard Pluschau seeking re-election.

Sean Beran — who was elected in 2013 — is opting not to run again, and instead newcomers Michael Lewis and Kimberly Roff have submitted petitions to run for BOE.

Mr. Pluschau was first elected in 2010.

Nominating petitions were due Tuesday.