Week of February 11, 2008

-The district is pleased to offer congratulations to Meghan Sumner, Grade 11 student at HKHS. Meghan was named to the honor roll at HKHS for the second marking period and her name was inadvertently left off the list published in last week's message.

-Please frequent the district website at www.rsd17.org <http://www.rsd17.org/> to obtain the most current information regarding district initiatives and progress made on them.

-Do you know where last year's graduates went?

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2007 PROFILE

Future plans of the students graduated in 2007 were as follows:

* 89.3% planned on furthering their education

* 74.6% are attending four-year institutions

* 12.7% are attending two-year institutions

* 2% are attending other educational institutions

* 8.7% are entering the work force

* 2% are entering the armed forces

* 0% are undecided

-Last week, I was pleased to report that the Regional School District 17 Board of Education unanimously approved the District Strategic Plan for the time period 2007-2008 through 2010-2011 at its February 5, 2008 meeting. In that announcement, I inadvertently referenced that it was a five year plan. The approved Strategic Plan is a four year plan with the 2007-2008 school year being designated as Year #1. I apologize for any confusion caused by this incorrect reference. Details regarding this plan will be forthcoming very soon. .

-If you have thoughts on the 2008-2009 Regional School District 17 Board of Education Budget, please feel free to e-mail them to gmala@rsd17.org, superintendent@rsd17.org or mvauaghn@rsd17.org.

The members of the Board of Education have agreed upon the following meeting schedule for the review of the Superintendent's Proposed Budget which will be delivered to them on March 4, 2008.

REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTICT NO. 17

2008/2009 Budget Time Line

12/4/07 Revised

Tuesday, March 4, 2008 Special Meeting for the presentation of the Superintendent of Schools recommended budget for 2008/2009, 6:00 pm Central Office, Board Room

Monday, March 17, 2008 Budget Committee

Review of Elementary, Middle & High School

6:00 Central Office, Board Room

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Budget Committee

Review of Special Education, Transportation, Buildings & Grounds and Food Services

6:00 Central Office, Board Room

Monday March 24, 2008 Town Budget Committee

Meeting with the Selectman and Boards of Finance from the towns of Haddam and Killingworth

6:00 pm Student Commons, Haddam Killingworth Middle School

TENTATIVE - NEED CONFIRMATION FROM THE TWO BOARDS

Wednesday March 26, 2008 Budget Committee

If Needed

7:00 pm Central Office

Monday, March 31, 2008 Budget Committee

If Needed

7:00 pm Central Office

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Budget Committee

7:00 pm Central Office, Board Room

Possible vote on the proposed 2008/2009 budget

Monday, April 28, 2008 Annual Hearing and a Special Meeting of the Board of Education Annual hearing of the Board of Education's proposed 2008/2009 budget. Review of input from hearing and possible modification of the budget with recommendations for the 2008/2009 budget. Board of Education adopts 2008/2009 budget for annual hearing, 7:00 pm Student Commons, Haddam Killingworth Middle School.

Monday, May 5, 2008 Annual Meeting. 7:00 pm HK High School Auditorium Annual meeting on the 2008/2009 budget.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008 REFERENDUM in each respective town on the Board of Education's Budget for 2008/200

The public is more than welcome to attend any of the budget workshops and any of the Budget Committee meetings. Certainly our Budget Committee is eager to communicate effectively with the town officials in both Haddam and Killingworth. As a Budget Committee responsible for articulating the educational needs of the school district in a fiscally responsible manner, we have the difficult task of striking a balance between our educational needs and our fiscal responsibilities. Our committee will be monitoring activity and actions at the legislative level most carefully, and wherever possible will be providing input in order to protect both the educational and financial interests of the district and our towns.

REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 17

HISTORICAL BUDGET SUMMARY

YEAR SUPERINTENDENT'S PROPOSED BOARD PROPOSED APPROVED NOTES

2004-2005 6.97% 6.97% (6.55%)* 6.9% 6.55% of the 6.97% is accounted

for by Fixed Costs

2005-2006 7.98% 7.6% (93.7%)* 7.6% Commencement of financial

obligation associated with cost of new middle school facility.

2006-2007 8.38% 7.85% 7.85% First year of operational costs

associated with opening new middle school facility, This accounted for 3.76% of total requested increase.

2007-2008 5.48% 5.48% (91.48%)* 5.48% Achieved most program growth

through re-appropriation of existing resources.

References: Attachment #6, #7, #8, #9

KEY:

* = Non-Discretionary Costs

(Salary obligations, cost of health care insurance, debt service payment, transportation & cost of utilities)

-In an effort to increase the recruitment of CDL drivers to serve the district as bus drivers, the district administration has entered into a relationship with a company named "Best Temps." "Best Temps" is a placement agency which specializes in the placement of workers seeking employment in the areas of light manufacturing, long distance driving and a host of other similar areas. With offices based in Milford and Southbury, CT, the representatives of the company have agreed to assist us by recruiting candidates for our consideration as potential bus drivers. All applicants will be interviewed and assessed by school district personnel with a goal of increasing our bus driver pool to a level whereby we may implement some additional changes to routes and to improve the efficiency of all routes.

-All questions received regarding the district's budget for the 2008-2009 school year and responses to each will be posted on the district's website at www.srd17.org <http://www.srd17.org/> .

-The Regional School District 17 Board of Education is comprised of eleven members as follows:

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERSHIP

Name Town Term

Mark Almeida Haddam 12/01/07 - 12/01/11

Robert Baranoff (Treasurer) Haddam 12/01/05 - 12/01/09

Robin Chasse Killingworth 12/01/07 - 12/01/11

Frank Cunningham Killingworth 12/01/07 - 12/01/09

Jo Ferjak (Chair) Killingworth 12/01/07 - 12/01/11

Colleen Fitzpatrick Haddam 12/01/07 - 12/01/11

Amy Jacques-Purdy (Secretary) Haddam 12/01/07 - 12/01/11

James Lippert Killingworth 12/01/07 - 12/01/11

John O'Leary Killingworth 11/06/07 - 12/01/09

Diane Stock Haddam 12/01/05 - 12/01/09

Michael Trahan (Vice Chair) Haddam 12/01/05 - 12/01/09

-The first five sessions of the district television program "Spotlight on Seventeen" are available for viewing on Channel 18 or at www.srd17.org <http://www.srd17.org/> .

- An area where you may view past Weekly Messages has been established on the district website at www.rsd17.org <http://www.rsd17.org/> .

- If you wish to have something included in any future Weekly Message, please forward the text to be included to Cindy Fetteroll, Administrative Assistant the Superintendent of Schools, at fetteroll44@rsd17.org.

- If you have any comments or suggestions about the Weekly Message initiative, please do not hesitate to contact Gary S. Mala, Superintendent of Schools, at gsmala@rsd17.org or (860) 345-4534

Thank you for your continued support of your school district and enjoy your week.

Best wishes for an enjoyable Winter Recess next week!!!

Gary

Gary S. Mala

Superintendent of Schools

Regional School District 17

(860) 345-4534

http://www.rsd17.org