Submitted by Jen Favalora, BOE Secretary
2020-2021 School Year:
Superintendent Hageman reported that the CIAC, in alignment with the Department of Health, would allow low and moderate risk High School Winter Sports to compete starting January 19th. Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys Swimming, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, and Indoor Track would have shortened seasons with no state tournaments. Masks would be required to be worn during practice and games by players, coaches and referees, and spectators will not be allowed at practices or games. Wrestling and Competitive Cheerleading were considered high risk by the state and will not be allowed to participate in competitions.
HKHS Hybrid Model Update:
The Facilities committee reported that the Field House renovations were completed in late December with just a few punch list items remaining to be finished. The updated space has been opened back up for the High School to use for classes, mask breaks and winter sports. The Field House closure was a main obstacle in opening the high school for full in-person learning this fall, however with the community spread of Covid-19 still high and the fact that high school students cannot be cohorted because of the variety in their schedules, the administration will continue to teach High School students in the hybrid model for the time being. A schedule for the remainder of the year was sent to families. If the opportunity arises to safely allow high school students to learn all together, the administration will report to families.
2020-2021 School Calendar:
Superintendent Hageman reported that the first four months of school have been challenging for both teaching and learning. The flexibility in our district to teach in-person and remote students simultaneously has demanded adjustments in the use of technology and available resources. Dr. Hageman proposed supporting the staff’s efforts by adding six early release days to this year’s school calendar so that teachers and paraprofessionals would have needed time to plan and collaborate to best serve student learning. The Board accepted this proposal to revise the 2020-2021 school calendar. This year and next year’s school calendars can be found on the rsd17.org website under “Calendars”.
HKEA- RSD17 Contract:
The Personnel and Evaluation Subcommittee shared with the Board the terms negotiated for the new HKEA three-year contract. The cumulative cost in all salaries over three years will be an increase of 8.36%. This increase of $1.2 million is about $100,000 more than the last three year contract and includes 2 ½ step movement. Insurance cost share will increase by 2% over the three year period. Other substantive changes included clarifying sick leave policy and increasing teacher prep time for K-3 teachers. The contract has been filed with the town clerks of Haddam and Killingworth. By State Statute 10-153d, the terms of the contract are considered binding unless the legislative body of either town rejects the contract by formal process within thirty days.
Website:
All of Superintendent Hageman’s Covid Communications continue to be placed on the RSD17 website, including a dashboard of Covid 19 cases in our schools. These communications can be found under “District” -> “Covid-19 Resources and Communications.”
