RSD 17 to Hold Community Workshops on Renovation/Replacement of HKHS

Submitted by Regional School District 17

(November 5, 2024) — Regional School District 17 has decided to prioritize Haddam-Killingworth High School as the first step in its long-term facilities plan. To help with this project, the District has hired Antinozzi Associates, an architectural firm, to assist in determining whether it’s better to renovate the current building or replace it with a new one. This is accomplished through a feasibility study that they will conduct. They will also estimate costs, assist with pre-referendum planning, and help the district apply for a school construction grant from the State of Connecticut Office of Grants Administration to help pay for the project. A community vote (referendum) on the project is expected in March 2025.

The high school, built in 1974, is about 288,000 square feet, and part of it was originally a junior high school built in 1954. The school now needs renovation or replacement to match the needs of a projected enrollment of 532 students in Grades 9-12. One option is to keep and use the existing field house and pool, and potentially other recently renovated areas, for the whole District. Some areas of the school may be torn down, and the study will explore options to ensure all current functions of the school are properly housed.

This feasibility study will help RSD 17 choose the best plan for improving the school, based on research and expert advice. The new facility will meet both local and national educational standards, align with the District’s educational goals, and fit the timeline and budget. A facility study committee is being formed to oversee the planning process, present design options, and provide cost estimates to the RSD 17 Board of Education, which will then bring a proposal to voters for approval in Spring 2025.

For questions about the HKHS Facility/Feasibility Study, please email hkhs-study@rsd17.org.