Submitted by Jennifer Favalora, Vice Chair, RSD 17 Board of Education
(August 22, 2023) — The following is a summary of the July 2023 meeting of the Regional School District 17 Board of Education:
Superintendent’s Report
Capital Projects
The BES roof project has been completed, and the repair of the septic pipe at KES is in the process of being repaired. The elevator repair work at the High School will begin in August and is anticipated to be completed before the opening of school.
HKHS Baseball
Superintendent Wihbey reported to the Board that after forty-six seasons coaching HKHS Boys Baseball, Coach Mark Brookes led his team to their first-ever Class S CIAC title. With 742 career victories, Coach Brookes is the second most successful high school baseball coach in Connecticut history.
Master Plan
The Master Plan is continuing to move forward with the next community session scheduled for September 13, 2023. Tecton offered several options for the community to consider in terms of campus configuration and the number of school buildings. A community survey was conducted, which received 306 responses from Haddam and Killingworth residents.
Results were shared with the committee and are posted on the Master Capital Plan website. Of note, the majority indicated the greatest need for improvement was at the High School and that priorities for the district lay in safety and security and 21st-century learning. School tours for the entire community have been scheduled for the following dates:
Thursday, August 24, 2023:
KES 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
HKI/MS 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Friday, August 25, 2023:
BES 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
HKHS 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Fiscal Expenditure and Revenue Reports
Superintendent Wihbey and Finance Director Solin have worked to resolve the year-end fiscal report. Due to many significant over-variances on several lines, only $472K of the budgeted $800K was transferred to the capital fund. Many unexpected capital projects were allocated from the total budgeted capital, such as the KES furnaces. Other expenses included increases in rates for utilities and substitutes.
Financial Management RFP
Superintendent Wihbey provided a recommendation to outsource services for a short-term solution to improve the financial operations of the District. He provided the Board with examples that led to the rationale for making this decision, such as staffing issues and the ability to effectively move into the new software system and use it to its fullest extent in all finance areas. The Superintendent made a recommendation and the Board unanimously approved appointing LEARN as the District’s finance office vendor for the coming year.
Policy/Curriculum Subcommittee
There are changes to the middle school math program, including more instruction time with an extra weekly class session, as well as delaying the move to the regular or accelerated math track by one year. Currently, at the end of 5th grade, teachers provide a recommendation on whether students are to be placed on an advanced math track or a regular math track. Going forward, the pathway will start at the end of 6th grade with a discussion on the criteria and decisions made in partnership with teachers, students, and parents.
Legal Services RFP Selection
The Policy Committee interviewed all potential candidates and recommended moving to Shipman and Goodwin for our General Counsel for the Board, District, and Special Education services. The Board voted and approved this change.
ECHMC Board Selection
The Board approved the move to the ECHMC Cooperative for the District’s health insurance. As part of becoming a member of the ECHMC Cooperative, the Board will appoint two individuals to sit on the Board of Directors as representatives for RSD 17. Board Chair Sack made the recommendation, and the Board approved that Superintendent Wihbey and Board Member Prem Aithal be selected.
Superintendent’s Contract
The Board unanimously voted to extend Superintendent Wihbey’s contract by one year to include 2025-2026. The Board expresses its appreciation and full support to our Superintendent for his hard work and dedication to implementing our strategic plan.
ON OUR WEBSITE:
The RSD 17 Master Plan Information is available on the website under the District Facilities menu option https://sites.google.com/rsd17.org/masterplanproject/home
Email masterplan@rsd17.org with any questions regarding RSD17’s Master Plan project.
