Submitted by Jennifer Favalora, Vice Chair, RSD 17 Board of Education
(July 20, 2023) — The following is a summary of the Regional School District 17 Board of Education meetings held in June 2023:
Cougar Pride
The Board held its annual recognition ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2023’s Top Ten Students, to award the District’s Staff Members and Teachers of the Year and to thank the District’s Retirees for their many years of service to the students in our District. Notable awards went to this year’s Valedictorian, Abby Jones, and Salutatorian Kristen Thebeau. Brianna Hill was named District Staff Person of the Year and Margaret Amaio was named Teacher of the Year. With gratitude we celebrated the retirements of Patricia McCay, Thomas Mrozowski, Michael Reilly and Lorelei Casey.
KES Principal Dennis Reed introduced a group of third grade students led by Music Teacher Irina Rubalsky in an impressive recorder performance including several songs.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Wihbey discussed the completed work of the HKMS Study. In his summary, Dr. Wasta identified issues as well as recommendations, including the creation of a broad-based task force. The goal is to create, in a collaborative fashion, a vision and structure for HKMS to become one of the highest-performing middle schools in the state. Principal Ventura and Assistant Superintendent Miller will head the task force.
Finance/Facilities Subcommittee
On June 28, 2023, RSD17 held its second of four community conversations to discuss the development of a long-range facilities plan to improve the physical and programmatic conditions at RSD17. An online survey was conducted with 309 responses from the community. 81% of respondents see a need to improve the physical spaces and identified the high school as the top priority and Burr Elementary School the second priority. Several options were discussed including some project costs, benefits and challenges of various scenarios. On September 13, 2023 a tour of the high school facilities will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., followed by a community conversation where more detailed information on options will be presented.
Director Solin reported to the Board on the fiscal year-end status and updates. Because several object lines were over budget, while next year’s audit may still produce a balance to apply to next year’s budget, there is no year-end fund balance expected by June 30, 2023. In addition, the 721 Capital Needs line was underfunded by more than $200,000 to balance the budget for year-end.
Communications/Strategic Planning Subcommittee
Committee Co-Chair Shawna Goldfarb presented the four options of student-created graphics for the new RSD17 logo. Co-Chair Goldfarb also discussed the Communications and Community Engagement plan for next year’s referendum and analysis of the communication process for this year’s budget. Committee Co-Chair Prem Aithal reported on the committee’s plan to release a dashboard that will track and provide information on the District’s critical measures of success.
Personnel & Evaluation
Committee Co-Chair Suzanne Sack reported on the process for hiring and the creation of consistent benefits and offerings.
Policy/Curriculum Subcommittee
Committee Co-Chair Zandi reported that the High School scheduling process will be moved back by two weeks to align with the budget process.
ON OUR WEBSITE:
The RSD 17 Master Plan Information and video from the June 28th community conversation is available on the website under the District Facilities menu option RSD 17 Facilities Study and Master Planning Website. Click here: sites.google.com/rsd17.org/masterplanproject
