Submitted by RSD 17 Board of Education
(April 12, 2026) — The following is a summary of the February 2026 meeting of the Regional School District 17 Board of Education:
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kowalski thanked the district’s custodial and maintenance teams for their work during recent winter weather to keep schools safe for staff and students. She also expressed appreciation to community members who attended the January 24, 2026 High School project input session and thanked the Feasibility Study Team for its work, with special recognition to Jennifer Favalora for chairing the team.
The Superintendent also reported attending several recent staff meet-and-greets and student events, including Boys and Girls Basketball games.
HKHS BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE
The Feasibility Study Team unanimously recommended that the Board move forward with the “F Prime” design concept for the Haddam-Killingworth High School renovation project. The plan remains a design concept and will be refined by the Building Committee if approved by voters in a future referendum.
Key points of the proposal include:
- Estimated project cost: $151.9 million
- Estimated state reimbursement: approximately $74.8 million
- Estimated local share: approximately $77.2 million
The proposal also includes a “Main Street” concept that would create a central corridor designed for both school and community use, with improved security and controlled access to educational spaces during community events.
Construction would be phased to reduce disruption, with significant work planned for summer months and the use of temporary swing space and protective barriers when work occurs during the school year.
The turf field would remain an “add alternate” during the bidding process, allowing the district to receive cost estimates with and without turf, and potentially to add it later if funding allows. Current state rules do not reimburse turf, although legislation under consideration could change this.
Jack Butkus addressed several Board questions regarding the proposal, including plans to maintain a contingency fund, minimize disruption to students during construction, and preserve key existing spaces valued by the district and community.
Project Timeline and Next Steps
The project’s timeline depends on approval of a state space waiver through special legislation. A referendum will not be scheduled unless the waiver is granted. A decision on the waiver is expected in early May.
The Board emphasized several factors critical to the project’s moving forward, including:
- Approval of the space waiver
- Alignment with the current state funding schedule
- Potential reimbursement for athletic fields
- Eligibility for the 2026 state reimbursement rate
Board Action
The Board voted unanimously to approve a resolution to:
● Authorize the Superintendent to apply for a State of Connecticut school construction grant under CGS Section 10-283.
● Establish the HKHS Building Committee to guide the project.
● Authorize the committee to proceed with design development if the project receives approval in a future funding referendum.
RSD17 ANNUAL BUDGET–MEETING SCHEDULE
● March 10, 2026 – 6:00 p.m. Presentation & Joint Meeting with BOS & BOF (HKIMS Cafeteria)
March 10, 2026 7:00 p.m. Workshop 2 (HKIMS Library
● March 17, 2026 – 6:00 p.m. Community Input Session (HKHS Auditorium)
● March 24, 2026 – 6:00 p.m. Workshop 3 – (HKHS Community Room)
- March 31, 2026 – 6:00 p.m. Annual Hearing – BOE Adopts Budget (HKHS Auditorium)
- May 4, 2026 – 6:30 p.m. Annual Meeting (HKHS Community Room)
- May 5, 2026 – Annual School Budget Referendum
