Meet your Riverhead school board candidates

LORI HULSE (Challenger)

Ms. Hulse, a former school board president, said one reason she decided to run again is to help guide the district through what she believes is its biggest challenge: Providing the best quality education within the tax cap.

“This year’s budget came in under the tax cap allowed despite the fact that many programs have been abandoned,” she said. “Class sizes have been increased, in some cases to unmanageable proportions, with less staffing.

“I will work diligently to provide an education to best prepare our children in their future endeavors.”

Ms. Hulse, 47, was first elected in 2000 and served for two terms, including four years as board president. During her tenure, Ms. Hulse lobbied for state aid and established anti-gang and drug awareness programs, among other initiatives.

She works as an attorney in Southold Town Hall and also has a private practice. Ms. Hulse, who lives in Riverhead and has two children in the district, in seventh and eighth grades, said she believes her experience will help the district restore student programing and assist with labor negotiations and disciplinary hearings.

The Calverton native, who graduated from Riverhead High School in 1985, is also a coach for youth sports and a parishioner of St. Isidore R.C. Church.