Submitted by Lisa Connelly, RSD 17 Board of Education
(October 7, 2026) — The following is a summary of the Regional School District 17 Board of Education meeting for September, 2026:
Superintendent’s Report: Opening of the 2026-2027 School Year
At the September 15, 2026 Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Patricia Sullivan-Kowalski reported on a successful start to the new school year. The District held its annual convocation, which included staff recognition and a performance by the Haddam-Killingworth High School choir. Student attendance was reported at 98% at the start of the school year.
The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent visited the schools on the first day to welcome students and staff. The District’s theme for the year is “Cougar Nation: One Community. All Students. Every Day.”
State Assessment Data and Student Growth
Curriculum Coordinators Jennifer Beermuender and Heather Rigatti presented current Connecticut State Department of Education assessment data in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science.
The presentation highlighted areas of achievement as well as areas where additional improvement is needed. The District’s next steps will include a continued focus on individual student growth, learning, and well-being.
The Board also reviewed information related to chronic absenteeism and physical fitness. District administrators meet monthly to review absenteeism data and better understand the factors contributing to student absences.
HKHS Class of 2026 Graduation Report
Principal Donna Hayward presented the annual High School Graduation Report and shared several highlights from the Class of 2026.
Among the results presented:
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91% of graduates planned to continue their formal education after HKHS.
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College applications submitted by HKHS students had an overall 78.8% acceptance rate.
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The most popular areas of study were Business and Health Sciences, each at 21%, followed by STEM-related fields at 19% and Humanities at 17%.
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123 students successfully completed 546 advanced-study courses, including courses that may provide college credit.
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All 123 of those students graduated.
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Student community service hours increased compared with the previous year.
Finance/Facilities/Transportation
The Finance and Facilities Subcommittee reviewed financial reports, the closing of purchase orders, and the status of the District’s financial audit. All planned summer facilities projects were reported as complete. An issue with the Burr Elementary School gym floor was identified, and the District is working with vendors on a resolution.
The Superintendent also met with transportation provider STA regarding bus routes, and work has begun with the District’s transportation consultant. The District’s updated Capital Plan is expected to be reviewed by the Finance and Facilities Subcommittee in October, with the goal of bringing a final plan to the full Board for approval. Demolition of the White Barn was completed without exceeding the project budget.
Health Insurance Evaluation
The newly established Health Insurance Evaluation Subcommittee held its first meeting on September 8, 2026. The Subcommittee’s purpose is to evaluate health insurance options with the goal of balancing fiscal responsibility for the District and taxpayers with competitive employee benefits that support staff retention and wellness. The Board voted unanimously to authorize the Subcommittee to evaluate insurance plan options, request information necessary for its work, and ultimately make recommendations to the full Board.
Staffing and Central Office Organization
The Personnel and Evaluation Subcommittee reviewed the District’s vacancy report and discussed a proposed RSD17 Annual Staffing and Reporting Framework. The framework is intended to provide a more consistent way to define, report, and discuss staffing levels from year to year. It will return to the Subcommittee for additional review before potentially being incorporated into Board policy.
The Board also approved a revised job description for a Director of Facilities, Safety and Security, and Transportation following the resignation of the District’s Facilities Manager. The restructuring is intended to create a clearer separation between the District’s facilities and finance functions within Central Office. The approved salary range for the position is $140,000 to $160,000. The additional salary cost will be offset within the existing budget through funding from the current position and reductions in purchased services.
Communications and Community Engagement
The Communications Subcommittee continued work on improving communication between the Board, schools, families, staff, and the broader Haddam-Killingworth community.
Discussions included:
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development of the 2027 Board and committee meeting calendars;
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scheduling Board retreats later in the year so more current information is available for discussion;
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creating approximately three District budget newsletters each year for parents, staff, and community members;
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working with the First Selectmen of Haddam and Killingworth to expand the distribution of District information; and
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increasing opportunities for community engagement.
Community Donations
The Board accepted two donations for the HKHS Applied Arts Department:
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Approximately $5,500 in hardware, plumbing, electrical, and home-maintenance products from Killingworth True Value; and
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Approximately $1,200 in home-maintenance products from local resident John Gallant.
Following completion of the White Barn demolition, the Board also approved donating the salvaged cupola to the Haddam Historical Society at no cost to the District.
HKHS Building Project
The proposed Haddam-Killingworth High School Renovate-as-New project remained a significant focus during September.
At its September meeting, the Board noted that the District had entered the legally required period preceding the referendum during which District resources could not be used to advocate for the proposal. The referendum was held on September 24, 2026. Voters were asked whether the District should appropriate $151.9 million for renovations and improvements to HKHS and authorize bonds or notes of up to $77.2 million, with the amount ultimately borrowed reduced by grants received for the project. Results showed the proposal passing districtwide by 1,447 votes to 1,407, a margin of 40 votes. Haddam voted 858-707 in favor, while Killingworth voted 589-700. Reported voter turnout was approximately 25%.
Financial Audit
The Board continued to seek information regarding completion of the District’s FY2025 financial audit. At the September 15, 2026 meeting, Board members requested clarification regarding when the draft audit would be available for review and when the final audit would be made publicly available. The Board agreed that a special Board of Education meeting would need to be scheduled to review the draft and/or final audit and receive feedback directly from the auditors.
Looking Ahead
Work continuing into October includes review of the District’s Capital Plan, transportation planning, health insurance evaluation, staffing and organizational initiatives, community communications, and completion and public review of the FY2025 financial audit.
Additional Information
The September Board of Education Meeting video may be viewed here.
Board of Education information and past updates are available at:
