Haddam-Killingworth High School Facility/Feasibility Study 

The RSD17 Board of Education extends its sincere appreciation to the members of our school community, as well as to the residents of Haddam and Killingworth, for their continued support of the educational programs that serve our students.

Addressing the needs of the aging Haddam-Killingworth High School facility has been, and remains, a top priority for the Board. Our district serves approximately 1,700 students across four campuses. Three of our four school buildings are more than 50 years old and, while well-maintained, have significant design, system and infrastructure deficiencies that no longer meet the educational needs of today’s students. Ongoing improvement or repairs to original infrastructure elements are increasingly difficult or impossible as they fail.

After several years of study and consideration, the Board determined that a major renovation of Haddam-Killingworth High School represents the most urgent and essential facilities project, with selective alterations to other district schools to follow. Foremost among our priorities is addressing ADA and Title IX compliance issues, as well as other identified health and safety concerns.

In alignment with recommendations from the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) accreditation report, the Board aims to modernize learning environments—including fully functional science laboratories that support growing student interest in STEM fields and allow for project-based, hands-on learning. We are also committed to developing spaces that prepare students for future careers and promote real-world skill development.

While the Board and community are unified in recognizing the urgent need for substantial improvements to the high school, feedback on the initial proposal presented and approved by the Board of Education last spring raised important questions about the project’s scope, cost, and approach. In response, the Board has reengaged on what will hopefully be a more sustainable and affordable alternative and more appealing to our community.

Where the first proposal emphasized new construction, the Board is now exploring an alternative plan centered on a comprehensive renovation of the existing structure. This approach would seek space waivers from the State, enabling the district to preserve and modernize key facilities, including the auditorium, field house, pool, and technical education spaces, that serve not only our students but also the broader Haddam-Killingworth community and, due to co-op teams’ use of our facilities, students from neighboring towns.

The Board has also strengthened its collaboration with local legislators, appealing to them as key partners in securing available state funding. As a regional district, RSD17 benefits from having multiple legislative advocates in Hartford supporting our efforts.

To guide this next phase, the Board is forming a Feasibility Team that will include members of the community who possess diverse, applicable construction project experience. We have included participants with expertise in areas such as architecture, finance, science, municipal building construction, and technical education, as well as town elected officials. This team will play an important role in evaluating options and helping shape the direction of the project.

The Board will also be scheduling community input opportunities to gather feedback and answer questions as the process moves forward; stay tuned for dates and details. In addition, we are looking for individuals interested in joining the Project Advisory Committee (PAC)—community members who are passionate about education and willing to help share information about the project and advocate for its success.

We will share more information soon regarding the project timeline and additional ways for the community to stay involved.

Improving Haddam-Killingworth High School remains an urgent and significant priority. The Board of Education will continue its work with diligence, transparency, and fiscal responsibility, ensuring that the process reflects the needs and values of our community.

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