(October 4, 2023)—We reached out and asked candidates to respond to a set of questions; if a candidate did not respond, their name is listed, so that you know who is running for each office. Updates from all candidates are welcome and will be published as Letters to the Editor. The candidate’s reply is unchanged from the original as submitted. HK-Now.com and Haddam Killingworth News are not responsible for errors in grammar, usage, punctuation or spelling. The questions posed to the candidates were:
- Tell us a little about yourself.
- Why are you running for the position?
- What do you see as the important issues facing your town and how would you address them in your role?
- What are the key things you love about this town and its people?
- Additional thoughts to leave voters with?
Nelson Rivera (D):
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Nelson Rivera, and I am running for my second term on the Board of Education. My wife Lisa and I have called Killingworth home for the last thirteen years. We have two children, Nelson and Olivia, both of whom attend Haddam Killingworth Public Schools. As both a parent and educator, I understand and appreciate the importance of high-quality public education for all children. I currently serve as a high school principal in the CT Technical High School System. In addition to my work experience, I hold graduate degrees in education from Northeastern, Boston University, and SCSU. With over twenty years of experience in education, both as classroom teacher and school administrator, I believe I bring a unique perspective to the BoE.
Why are you running for the position?
I am running for reelection to the Board of Education because I want the best school system possible for all children.
What do you see as the important issues facing Killingworth and how would you address them in your role?
I believe we need to build on our successes and find new ways to improve the student experience. I am also excited about the important work that lies ahead as the district begins to develop a master capital plan.
What are the key things you love about this town and its people?
Killingworth is a great place to raise a family in a safe and supportive environment. There is a strong sense of community and residents care deeply about the future our town.
Additional thoughts to leave voters with?
As a current Board of Education member, I serve as the chair of the policy subcommittee, participated in the development of the HK Vision of the Graduate, and was part of the Strategic Planning process.
Jennifer Voegtli (D):
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Jen Voegtli and I am running for a seat on the RSD17 Board of Education. My husband and I moved to Killingworth 10 years ago with our two sons, who attend school in the district. I have an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and a graduate degree in Molecular Biology. I have been an active volunteer at KES, HKIS, and HKMS, serve on the PTO Board, and have been a substitute teacher in the district. I am currently Treasurer of the HKIMS PTO and Secretary of Project Graduation.
Why are you running for the position?
I am running for BOE because I believe in and fully support our public schools. It would be an honor to contribute to the work of continually improving the academic successes of all of our students.
What do you see as the important issues facing your town and how would you address them in your role?
Our district is formulating a Master Capital Plan that details a necessary and significant financial expense. In creating this plan, it will be important to actively collaborate with the community, school administrators, and school staff. Our goal is to work within an acceptable cost while improving our schools academic and technological capabilities, and incorporating much needed building improvements for both infrastructure and safety.
What are the key things you love about this town and its people?
I love Killingworth’s natural beauty and small rural town feel. We have great schools with amazing teachers, administrations and staff. Our town has a great sense of community and really cares about our educational system.
Additional thoughts to leave voters with?
I am excited for the opportunity to serve my community and ask for your support on November 7.
Suzanne Sack (D):
With over 1800 community children affected and over $45mm dollars spent each year, RSD17’s Board of Education needs leadership and generous time from its members. Our schools and students are positioned for a great future, and still much work needs to be done.
My name is Suzanne Sack and am currently the Chair of RSD17’s Board of Education. During my tenure, the district faced many challenges and the Board provided direction with meaningful results:
Our elementary schools received “Top 10 State Schools of Distinction” for academic growth after the COVID 19 shutdown; while others reported meaningful learning loss. It was accomplished through teamwork – staff, parents, students, and the Board of Education. Our schools were reopened in full when other districts were not. This was an excellent decision for our students in the face of uncertainty. Difficult times demand strong leadership and teamwork.
Along with many academic distinctions, RSD17 maintains one of the lower costs per pupil in the state. Killingworth community families have enjoyed a world class education with modest tax increases.
RSD17’s Board delivered a strategic plan emphasizing student achievement, leadership and teaching capacity, operational and fiscal efficiency, and building renewal. We are deep into strategic plan implementation.
I am grateful for my public education; it was a path to the future: a master’s degree from Columbia University, a 35-year marriage, a career in financial services, and a fulfilled life in Killingworth.
My “pay it forward” is my Board service and would be honored to be re-elected.
S. Derek Phelps (R):
Tell us a little about yourself.
My wife and I have been residents of Killingworth for a little over ten years. We have one daughter, Haley, who graduated from HK High School in 2020, and is currently a senior in college.
I work as a government relations professional for a cleantech start-up and am a Navy veteran.
Why are you running for the position?
The reputation of the H-K school system had much to do with why my wife, Julie, and I moved to Killingworth in the first place and we were not disappointed.
I’d like to now do my part to help ensure that same quality education is there for the next generation of families and their kids.
What do you see as the important issues facing your town and how would you address them in your role?
I think in many ways local governments in Connecticut are struggling to strike a proper balance between preserving the best of their past while embracing necessary and useful change. And that’s especially true in our public Killingworth.
Much of the underpinning spirit and character of our town is tied to volunteer participation in town government. That active spirit of volunteer engagement doesn’t just help keep cost (taxes) under control; it helps ensure a strong sense of connection between the government and the governed.
The citizens and taxpayers of Killingworth need to feel their voices are heard. I believe the best pathway to achieving that is through active engagement in the day-to-day workings in government.
I think is essential that all of us as residents recommit to the purpose of stimulating the spirit of volunteerism in Killingworth.
What are the key things you love about this town and its people?
I love the rural nature and small-town feel of Killingworth.
I love the beautiful scenery of the trees and stonewalls along Roast Meat Hill Road on a sunny day. I love our hardware store, where they are always willing to patiently help you find the vital 45-cent bolt that you’re looking for. I love our town’s car mechanic, who knows my name and makes sure my daughter’s car is safe to drive. Because he knows her name, and has watched her grow up.
I love that some of our best friends today are the other parents my wife and I met while watching our kids play H-K Rec softball games more than a decade ago. And we all remember when our kids were half as tall as they are today.
And I love that we say over and over again that we feel blessed to have raised our kids in Killingworth.
Additional thoughts to leave voters
I’ve held elective and appointed office in Connecticut, at both the state and local level, for the better part of thirty years. During that time, I’ve observed an interesting irony unfold where the tools for communication have improved, yet somehow real discussion has diminished.
For the good of our community, I think we need to find ways to get better at listening to one another. I hope to help cultivate that better environment for conversation and collaboration.
Heather Scholfield (R):
Tell us about yourself.
I’m Heather Scholfield, a resident of Killingworth for over 5 years. I’m a teacher with 10 years of experience in both urban and rural schools. I have degrees in Elementary Education and Sociology, with a master’s degree in educational leadership (focusing on literacy) and Special Education. Additionally, I’m licensed in ESL and recently completed a behavior technician course. My passion lies in family and education.
Why are you running for this position?
Education is my passion. As we navigate the post-COVID era’s unique challenges, it’s vital to tailor our curriculum to each student, ensuring it’s engaging and enjoyable. Every child deserves equal educational opportunities, and we must equip them for a successful future.
What do you see as the important issues facing your town and how would you address them in your role?
Education is currently pivoting towards the science of reading. With limited curriculums approved at the state level, their quality is debatable. The age of our school buildings is a concern, but most importantly, meeting each student’s individual needs and providing a robust education is my top priority.
What are the key things you love about Killingworth and its people?
I cherish our town’s tight-knit, supportive community. Our residents are incredibly kind and always stand together. I aim to amplify this unity by joining the board of education, bringing my expertise to benefit us all.
Additional thoughts to leave the voters with.
I aim to bridge the gap between the public and our schools. My goal is to listen to concerns, support our town, and ensure Haddam Killingworth graduates well-rounded students. While I don’t claim to know everything, I commit to seeking answers diligently. Trust that I’ll make well-informed decisions for our children, rather than hasty judgments.
Arthur C. Wrotnowski (R):
The public education system serving Killingworth and Haddam is good. It is ranked #40 number in the state. That is respectable. What about making it better? As a candidate for the board of education, I am interested in what can be done to make Regional School District 17 better at what it does. That said, it is important to know what parents think. Some will be satisfied with the system. Others parents will want to see greater accomplishments. That is what I am interested in, and that is why I am running for the board of education.
Briefly, my bio is that I have been a biotechnology consultant for some 35 years as well as having run a health food store for 7 years. I spent five years teaching science in an after-school program at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich, CT. I received an award for excellence in teaching. In addition, I have a publishing company, Yankee Tea Publishing, LLC. I am chairman of a new organization called the Greater Education Council of Connecticut, and I have started a second career as a real estate agent.
If elected, my first job is to listen to others, learn and contribute to the work that needs to be done. If you would like to contact me, my email is metaqubit@aol.com.
