Editor’s Note: HK-Now.com and Haddam Killingworth News asked candidates for the Regional School District 17 Board of Education to provide brief biographies as a way of introducing themselves to voters. The statement below is from Matthew Riggs, who is running for BOE from Haddam. 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.
My name is Matt Riggs; I am running for the Haddam Board of Education.
Tiffany and I moved to Haddam in 2002 as newlyweds, raised two daughters in town, and built our lives within this community. Our oldest graduated HKHS (2022) and our youngest will graduate next Spring.
I grew up in small-town Connecticut and graduated from UConn School of Pharmacy. Today I serve as Chief Science Officer at Metrum Research Group. I help develop new medicines. In my work, I see how careful problem-solving, collaboration, and a willingness to test solutions lead to real progress. I will bring that same mindset to the Board: weighing options thoughtfully, asking questions, and focusing on what works best for students and families. I’ve also volunteered at school events, most recently chaperoning HKHS at the 2025 Science Olympiad. As a parent of a student with a disability, I know how critical it is to support special education and ensure every child’s potential is recognized.
I will bring careful, common-sense decision making to budgets, always weighing costs, mandates, and long-term impact. Public service means listening to all voices in our community. Together- with families, staff, and students- we will work to strengthen HK schools.
