To the Editor:

Nearly three years ago, residents in Regional School District 17 voted in favor of building a new school (grades 5-8) on Route 81 in Killingworth near the Haddam town line.

Forecasts were that by the middle of the decade, classroom space at local elementary schools would become crowded, jeopardizing the learning process.

Those class size projections turned out to be correct. The student population in District 17 recently topped 2,500 students. Now, more than 100 morning and afternoon bus routes crisscross the district. Our school buses travel in excess of 2,000 miles each school day.

The new school is nearing completion and, by the beginning of the 2007-08 school year, one in every three students in our district - approximately 850 children - will attend daily classes there.

The 2007 opening of what's currently known as the Intermediate- Middle School will actually be staggered. Next year's 7th and 8th graders will begin attending the new school immediately following the December 2006 Christmas break. In August 2007, those children entering grades 5 and 6 will also occupy the new school.

The addition of this new educational facility is a momentous event for citizens of both Haddam and Killingworth and an investment in what we consider to be our most precious resource -- our children. This state-of-the-art facility, the first new school built in Region 17 since 1976, when Haddam-Killingworth High School was erected, is exceptional. Everyone should make a point to visit the facility.

Budget Breakdown
The opening of the new middle school has a dramatic impact on the proposed increase in education spending outlined in the 2006-07 District 17 school budget. In fact, nearly half of the rise in proposed new spending for 2006-07, $1.16 million - or 3.83 percent of the increase - is directly attributed to the middle school opening.

The other half in proposed new spending, $1.37 million - or 4.55 percent - is driven by projected increases in heating oil (up 47 percent) employee medical benefit costs, salary increases and expanded transportation.

In all, the proposed 2006-07 school budget submitted by the district Superintendent in early March to the Board of Education stood at $32.8 million, which is an increase of $2.53 million, or 8.38 percent from the previous year. As of mid March, the proposed budget was under consideration by the Board.

The school district budget is divided up between taxpayers in Haddam and Killingworth based on the enrollment of children from each town. (see graph below).

The number of new Haddam students entering the school system is driving the proposed additional cost for Haddam taxpayers in 2006-07. Last year, enrollment at Burr Elementary School alone was up by 49 students. As detailed in the graph above, enrollment from Haddam is up significantly. Enrollment from Killingworth is actually down slightly. The recent rise in students coming from Haddam means Haddam's share of the 2006-07 budget increase is $527,731 more than Killingworth's share based on student enrollment alone.

While the single biggest item in the budget is salaries -- salaries are up only 1.73 percent.

The budget fully funds:

• textbook requests for all instructional programs, including a new elementary math curriculum;
• professional development of staff to improve classroom instruction; and
• a significant increase in the level of funding for technology to enable students to better compete in the 21st century

Importantly, the budget also maintains class sizes to current standards.

Voters in Haddam and Killingworth will vote on the school budget (as ultimately presented by the board of education following their review) on May 2.

Student Success
The commitment from our teachers and staff to providing quality services to every student, and across all learning levels, has never been stronger. The nearly 400 applicants who attended a job fair at the high school recently reinforced our reputation as a quality school system. Highly qualified teachers and staff came from as far away as New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, other states and Canada to express their interest in working with our kids. We view this as a testament to the quality learning offered here.

This Board of Education's commitment to education, and fulfillment of our motto "From Good, To Great," has translated into numerous examples of student achievement. Here are a few:

• High School Graduation Rate: Ranks in top five in Connecticut

• College Enrollment Rate (2005): 85% of graduates enrolled in college programs.

• Scholar Status: 43% of students taking special state exams achieved scholar status by demonstrating mastery in all four areas. (Only a handful of other high schools in Connecticut can claim this mark of excellence.)

• SAT Scores (2005):
Verbal: 537 (State: 517; Nation: 508)
Math: 518 (State: 517; Nation: 520)
Combined: 1055 (State: 1034; Nation: 1028)

• American Math Competition (2005-2006 school year): 4 students have advanced to the state testing level.

• Co-curricular Activities (2005-2006 school year): 80% of the student body in grades 7 through 12 is involved in some type of co-curricular activity (athletics, non-athletics).

• High School Discipline Referrals: Down by more than 30% - the lowest point in the past five years.

Learning Program Improvements
The proposed school budget maintains class sizes consistent with state guidelines, keeps pace with spending on learning programs, and rewards teachers for their excellence.

It's part of a greater scrutiny of spending and a repositioning of the learning process toward achieving greater success from a greater percentage of students.

For example, our program for gifted and talented (LEAP) for the first time will benefit all children who attend Haddam Elementary School, Burr Elementary School, and Killingworth Elementary School. In years past, what was known as the E.X.P.L.O.R.E. Program consisted mainly as a pullout program for "identified" students only.

The new LEAP will still service "identified" students, but will also provide general enrichment services and opportunities to all students in grades 1-6. LEAP staff will work closely with classroom teachers to differentiate instruction to challenge students in all subject areas.

Here's a look of some of the more significant program activities:

• Implement revised elementary mathematics curriculum being in August 2006 to address student achievement concerns.

• Provide commitment to revised English language arts curriculum implemented in 2004-2005 school year.

• Provide commitment to specialized science curriculum implemented in 2005-2006 school year.

• Maintain summer programming for identified students,

• Provide world language instruction for grades 1 - 12

• Integrate laptop and interactive blackboard "Smartboard" technology in all classrooms.

• Maintain award winning Haddam-Killingworth television studio program in grades 7 - 12.

• Support 23 athletic teams (varsity wrestling added) and 29 non-athletic, co-curricular programs for grades 7 - 12.

• Maintain computer labs in all buildings.

• Offer classes in Engineering Design, Civil Engineering Architecture, and Digital Electronics.

• Offer UConn (college level) Spanish.

• Provide student internship program at high school

Spending Controls and Efficiencies
The proposed budget includes many economic efficiencies in terms of trimming staff, incorporating negotiated agreements calling for employees paying a larger percentage of their health insurance benefits, eliminating underperforming programs and duplication, and simply doing more with what we've been given.

Already this year, we've saved roughly $40,000 by renegotiating lease agreements on copiers and another $80,000 by filling full-time openings with part-time workers or putting off planned new hires. Securing competitive grant funds to upgrade district-wide technology infrastructure and cooperative purchasing plans with surrounding schools will also save money.

The new budget proposal addresses everything from establishing a timeline for purchasing new textbooks to limit the budget impact, to a 15% across-the-board cut in consumable supplies, to the decision not to fund six vacated full-time staff positions in such a way that student learning would not be impacted. More than $400,000 was saved through a voluntary retirement incentive program and capital requests.

We're reaching out to staff asking for their input on how to cut spending.

One of the better suggestions came from a school bus mechanic who suggested purchasing equipment that will automatically engage the heating of diesel fuel two hours before buses are needed. Historically, buses were plugged into a power system overnight. This will result in savings of $10,000.

Community Use
As our community grows, so does after-hours community utilization of all five schools. Every night of the year, with few exceptions, groups such as Haddam-Killingworth Park & Recreation programs, scouting groups, non-school athletic programs, town government functions from both Haddam and Killingworth, adult athletic programs, craft clubs and a host of similar organizations are given access to school classrooms, libraries and gymnasiums. The costs associated with janitorial services and utilities are typically not charged.

Further, several groups, including Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services and Haddam-Killingworth Park & Recreation, are provided permanent physical space in one school, also at no cost.

Burr Elementary School has been approved as a polling place starting next year. This will make it easier for area voters to exercise their right to vote and civic responsibility.

Summary
To review, on an apples-to-apples basis, the portion of the school district's proposed 2006-07 education budget submitted to the Board of Education that addresses current facilities is up 4.55% from the current year.

This rate of spending is in line with neighboring schools and the statewide average.

The construction and operating costs related to the new intermediate-middle school adds another 3.83%, for a total increase of 8.38%.

All told, 46% of the increased spending is earmarked for the new middle school. The total percentage increase of this budget request is comparatively well below levels of increase in other towns opening new school facilities in the coming year.

Considering that fuel oil and utility costs alone are up 42.7%, we feel this level of spending is reasonable.

As this article is being sent to print, the board of education is in the process of reviewing the budget proposal. The board is getting input from townspeople at public hearings, as well as meeting with the boards of Selectmen and Finance from Haddam and Killingworth.

Therefore, when the referendum is held on May 2, there is a good chance that the budget spending will be further reduced.

Please exercise your civic responsibility and come out and vote!

Sincerely,

By Robert Baranoff and Daniel Cronin

Robert Baranoff is chairman of the Regional School District 17 Board of Education. Daniel Cronin is chairman of school board's finance subcommittee.