Controversy Persists Over HES

By Austin Mirmina.

As a third-grader at Haddam Elementary School, Marissa Garibay remembers hanging out under a massive copper beech tree near the playground.

“The symbol of the school used to be the copper beech tree,” Garibay said. “I actually still have tee shirts with [the tree] on it.”

Although the tree was removed, HES still stood as a staple of the community. But that will soon change after a decision by the Regional School District 17 Board of Education to close HES at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. Now hundreds of Haddam-Killingworth residents like Garibay have come out in support of HES in an attempt to get the board to reverse its decision. Yet many other residents support the closing, creating division – and controversy – within the community.

The BOE voted back in March of 2018 to restructure the district, including closing HES at the end of the current academic year, changing KES and BES to schools housing grades K-3, and creating an Intermediate School at the Haddam Killingworth Middle School, citing recent population studies that showed a continued trend of declining enrollment. Some residents disagreed with the decision nonetheless and have since attended monthly BOE meetings in large numbers to voice their support.

Katie Packtor is a member of “Friends of HES”, a group of Haddam residents spearheading the effort to save the school. Packtor insisted the goal is not to undo any of the board’s previous work, but instead to cooperate with the board to make collective, informed decisions.

“We want to make sure the decisions we are making are sustainable for the entire community,” Packtor said.

At the most recent BOE meeting on March 11, 2019 the Board agreed to vote on a motion to donate the HES building to the town of Haddam. Before the Board can vote on the motion, a referendum must first be completed gauging the town’s interest in accepting the property.

Haddam Selectwoman Melissa Schlag said currently no decisions have been made yet about the referendum, adding that the BOE and town attorneys need to work out details before proceeding.

“This is a process we can’t rush,” Schlag said. “There’s no reason to move at lightning speed. Residents deserve to be able to ask questions, weigh in on the issues, give us their ideas, and get answers.”

BOE Chairperson Joanne Nesti reiterated that donating HES would mean keeping the school closed but allowing the town to decide the future use of the building. The Board also began the process to donate the 100+ acre Swan Hill property located behind HES, a move that Nesti called “an easy decision.”

Nesti voted against a motion back in February that would have paused the closure of HES for one year, saying her decision stemmed from population data showing declining student enrollment.

Low student enrollment has become a statewide trend, forcing BOE members to restructure their respective districts by closing schools. Durham Elementary School closed in July 2014, and last November the Hamden BOE approved a controversial plan to close two elementary schools.

Enrollment statistics published in the preliminary 2019-2020 RSD 17 budget show a drop from 2,549 students in 2008 to 2,029 students in 2018 – a decline of about 20%.

“We understand people don’t like hearing those numbers,” Nesti said. “But they’re very real.”

Supporters of closing HES have consistently referred to this downward trend in their argument for restructuring. Haddam resident Aydin Caginalp said the BOE made a logical decision given the enrollment data.

“It is untenable to maintain five buildings, which were built for 2,500 students when the enrollment numbers have dwindled to approximately 2,000 students,” Caginalp said. “It’s obvious that one of these buildings is unnecessary to better serve the community on an economical basis.”

The BOE has mostly been firm with its decision to close HES. But discussions at meetings have gained intensity over the last month, with some members – like Gerry Matthews – reconsidering their stance on closing the school so soon.

“I would prefer to see unity and a peaceful atmosphere … even if it’s not 100% rational,” Matthews said. “I felt compelled to throw an olive branch to the crowd to let them know that someone cares.”

Matthews’ about-face has given hope to residents and town leaders who believe that closing HES would wreck Higganum center, which is a section of Haddam.

“Losing HES could create a huge social and economic hole in the middle of Higganum,” Schlag said. “It could adversely affect businesses and the social fabric a community school brings to the center of a small town.”

Ming Chou, who owns the Higganum Village Market less than a half-mile from HES, has said he will shut up shop if HES closes, adding to the list of businesses that have since departed. But Schlag believes the town and its people will rebound.

“Higganum is tough,” Schlag said. “It will weather this storm as it has others.”

As Haddam-Killingworth gains further clarity about the school’s status in the coming months, some residents are taking an optimistic approach. Maurice Adams, who supports closing a school, echoed the thoughts of “Friends of HES” member Katie Packtor, saying the school has the power to unify no matter the outcome.

“If [Haddam residents] stay together, and work together, we have a much better chance of finding and/or creating an exciting and productive use for the HES facilities,” Adams said.

Unless the BOE suddenly decides to change its opinion, HES is scheduled to close for good at the end of the school year. It creates an unfortunate situation for the adults and children who share fond memories of a town landmark.

“It’s part of our town, part of our history,” Garibay said. “Getting rid of it would be a very sad day.”

Editor’s Note: Edited to change type of tree in HES yard, and Marissa’s name was corrected.