Riverhead schools welcome new teachers, building upgrades for 2026-27 school year

Sharpen those pencils and grab the backpacks — schools are back in session.

Riverhead and Shoreham-Wading River students returned to class Thursday with new teachers and administrators, freshly completed building upgrades and several larger projects still underway.

Superintendents Bob Hagan Gerard Poole are also projecting more modest declines in their enrollment, but still strong numbers as the two gateway school districts to the East End.

Newcomers to Riverhead Central School District

Days before the start of classes, the Riverhead Central School District held its New Professionals Institute, an orientation and professional development program for newly hired teachers, social workers and other staff.

Director of personnel Bryan Miltenberg said 31 staff members are entering new teaching positions for 2026-27, including replacements and full- and part-time teachers.

Many had previously worked in other district roles and have now “graduated” into new positions, he said, including permanent substitutes becoming full-time teachers.

Teacher Mentor Coordinators Robert Brandi and Jennifer Simöes designed, planned and deliver the three-day New Professional Institute, where they gave introductions to district and building leaders, an overview of the year-long mentoring program, technology setup and training, safety and security training and sessions on supporting special education and English language learners.

“I know several of them started as daily substitutes, and then when they showed us you know what they could do, we hired them to be leave replacements, and then being in leave replacements last year, having positions open up, we could see them grow, and become part of the Riverhead family,” said Mr. Miltenberg, who served previously as principal of Aquebogue Elementary School. “For some of them, I know that when I check back in five, seven years, they’re going to be the ones mentoring — that’s the cycle that we want to build.”

Among the new faces at Riverhead High School is mathematics teacher Clare O’Brien.

Ms. O’Brien is a Melville native, a graduate of Kellenberg Memorial School and Providence College, where she earned both her bachelor of science in mathematics and master of secondary education.

Her previous experience includes teaching algebra 1, geometry and algebra 2 at Bishop Feehan High School in Massachusetts. 

Beyond the classroom, Ms. O’Brien has a passion for student engagement and community involvement. Her past experience includes coaching girls soccer and girls lacrosse, as well as serving as a moderator for baking, ski, and cancer awareness clubs.

Now residing in Melville, Ms. O’Brien said she looked forward to joining the Riverhead community, bringing a positive attitude to campus every day, and building meaningful connections with students, families, and colleagues alike.

Kayla Horn is gearing up for an exciting year as a new fourth grade teacher at Riley Avenue Elementary School.

A Medford native, Ms. Horn earned her bachelor of science in child study from St. Joseph’s University. She brings valuable classroom and extracurricular experience from her time teaching as a permanent substitute for two years at Roanoke Avenue Elementary School.

Ms. Horn said she is looking forward to bringing her creativity, positive attitude and genuine love of learning into school district every day.

A summer of upgrades

Students returning to Pulaski Street School will find new flooring on the first and second floors.

In June, the Riverhead Board of Education approved more than $1 million from the district’s Repair Reserve Fund for several summer capital projects, including $375,000 for new flooring in hallways, the library and most offices at Pulaski.

The district has also begun upgrading the kitchens at Phillips Avenue and Riley Avenue elementary schools using cafeteria reserve funds, and are completing a range of boiler replacement, solar energy, and district-wide lighting projects — all of which will be at no additional cost to taxpayers.

“The Riverhead Central School District is committed to providing our students and staff with the facilities, tools, and resources necessary to learn, develop, and achieve,” said Mr. Hagan. “We are continuing to evaluate our buildings and the funds accessible to us at no impact on taxpayers to determine if additional projects will take place this year to continue enhancing our children’s educational experiences.”