Submitted by Jennifer Favalora, RSD #17 BOE.
Summary of July 2021 Board of Education Meetings
 RSD 17 Superintendent:
The Board of Education appointed Mr. Jeffrey Wihbey as its next Superintendent of Schools. Jeff possesses an extensive background and a distinguished career serving every level in K-12 public education, most recently serving as the Superintendent of Schools for Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), leading and advocating for more than 11,000 Technical High School students throughout the state. At his appointment, Jeff expressed how ready he is to begin his work in RSD17 by listening to the community, staff and students as well as working together to raise HK to the next level of educational excellence. Mr. Wihbey’s first day will be October 12, 2021.
Summer Learning:
Interim Superintendent Dr. Paddyfote gave a report on Summer Learning Opportunities that have been offered to help prepare students to be ready academically to begin the 2021 school year. Nearly 90 students opted for in-person sessions, which focused on essential content and skills needed for success. Another 90 students in grades 3-8 participated in on-line personalized learning pathways, monitored by a teacher, that they can log into at their convenience.
Next School Year
Interim Superintendent Dr. Paddyfote shared with the Board and community that guidance on mask wearing and other safety measures to reopen schools has yet to be given from the CT Department of Public Health and the CT State Department of Education. Once that guidance is received and reviewed, communication about protocols for students and staff will be sent.
KES Playground:
The Board accepted a donation of $75,000 from the KES PTO to be used to purchase new playground equipment at Killingworth Elementary School. The KES PTO worked in partnership with KES Principal, Dennis Reed, Director of Operations, John Mercier, former Superintendent Hageman and the BOE Facilities Committee to achieve an age-appropriate design, acceptable for the space, that will be enjoyed by the community’s children for many years to come.
HKHS Athletic Fields:
The Facilities Committee proposed, and the Board agreed, to authorize $20,000 from the emergency operating account to replace lamps and ballasts at the HKHS athletic field and $24,000 for the repair and recertification of the bleachers at several of the High School athletic fields.
Town Payments:
Director of Finance, Ann Adriani, has worked with the Boards of Finance from both towns to agree on a new payment schedule from the towns. Payments from the town have been spread out from nine monthly payments to eleven with an adjustment to the percentage paid each month. Additionally, the District has agreed to allow the towns to use their entire position of the audited fund balance to offset the first payment in July. Previously the audited fund balance was returned over the entire nine-month payment schedule.
On our Website:
Continuity of learning is important to prevent summer learning loss and thus the district has created a summer learning plan for all students exiting grades K-8 which includes both reading and math. These Summer Learning Opportunities, which include suggested reading and math activities, can be found on the RSD17.org website under Parents →Summer Learning Opportunities and then clicking on the grade your child is entering in the fall.
