Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the High School Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Regional School District 17 board appoints High School Feasibility Study Team to guide HKHS project
Summary
The Board of Education voted unanimously to create a High School Feasibility Study Team to advise on a possible HKHS renovation; the team will include local officials, school leaders, construction and university representatives and will inform Ed Specs reviewed by a new architect.
Regional School District 17’s Board of Education voted unanimously Nov. 18 to establish a High School Feasibility Study Team to recommend next steps on a possible renovation of Haddam‑Killingworth High School.
Vice Chair Jennifer Favalora said the district’s new architect is reviewing previously drafted educational specifications and that a finalized Ed Specs document should be ready for the Board’s December meeting. She said the feasibility effort is intended to clarify the high school’s identity while the Board continues to review capital projects across the district.
The motion, moved by Board member Corey Roberts and seconded by Dr. Kathleen Zandi, appointed 16 people to the team, including Board officials and town and school leaders: Jennifer Favalora (Board vice chair), Suzanne Sack (Board chair), Paul K. Smith (Interim Superintendent), Joe Centofanti (Board of Finance), Jen Voegtli (Board of Education), Dr. Patti Sullivan‑Kowalski (incoming superintendent), Kate Anderson (Board of Selectmen), Eric Couture (First Selectman), Donna Hayward (HKHS principal), Tim Lucas (vice president of construction, Bob’s Discount Furniture), Lisa D’Angelo (associate provost for research, Yale University), Mike Distefano (former RSD17 facilities director), Todd Hajek (director of public works, Town of Clinton), Lauren Braren (architect planner, Yale University), and Ryan Kish (HKHS tech ed teacher and department head).
The motion passed by roll call, 11–0–0. Board members discussed community questions heard during earlier outreach — including concerns about tax impact, grant opportunities, the space‑waiver process, timeline, environmental and energy considerations, and how renovations might affect educational programs — and said those themes will guide the feasibility team’s work. The Board also noted the district will continue to engage community members through an online feasibility study site and planned PAC recruitment in January.
Next steps: the Board expects an updated Ed Specs for its December meeting and further capital‑plan discussion in January or February.
