Board of Education
Heather Pach
My husband and I moved to Haddam 21 years ago. We were looking to begin our family in a small town with great schools. We now have two children who have benefited from the excellent education they received here.
This is my 28th year working in public schools as an elementary teacher and for the last 21 years as a school psychologist, 11 of which were spent at HKMS. I believe in public education, our excellent teachers in HK, and most importantly our students. I know there are some things we are doing quite well and I know that there is always room for improvement. It is important to me that as we move forward and address issues facing our students (mental health, substance abuse etc.) and our district (the need for a plan for facilities, an to address the exodus of teachers etc.) we do it with transparency, honesty, teamwork and respect for others.
Our children deserve to live in a community where the adults can work together to find the solutions for them and the educational experts who work so hard in the classrooms every day.
Brenda Buzzi
I have lived in Higganum most of my life and am a fourth-generation resident. I graduated from HKHS, as did my two daughters. I have been an RSD#17 student, parent, volunteer, and employee. I enjoy gardening, reading, writing, painting, the beach, walking at Haddam Meadows and the Higganum Cove. I am a Social Worker providing therapy for children. I have many volunteer experiences, including being on the Board of Education.
RSD #17 strength is that it is awesome. We have the best teachers and staff who are dedicated to the students. We have a strong, and solid curriculum. We provide a vast array of extra-curricular choices, ranging from the arts, automotive, sports, AP classes and so forth. There is something for everyone!
My concerns run vast within the BOE. My focus is to be the voice for the teachers, staff, students, and YOU. I know we do not always agree but we all want what is best for RSD 17 and our wonderful town. I will continuously bring you approachability, honesty, transparency, humor, and rationality to the BOE. I am a call or email away. I greatly appreciate your support!
Jen Favalora
Four years ago, I joined the Board of Education with a clear mission: to shape the future of our District and enhance communication with the residents of Haddam and Killingworth.
Through my dedicated efforts, our community now enjoys regular updates from the Board. These updates include monthly meeting summaries and accurate articles about the school budget. It was of paramount importance to me to reach as many townspeople as possible, including those without students in our district. To achieve this, we expanded our communication outreach and introduced an email sign-up system.
Recently, my primary focus has been the development and implementation of a comprehensive five-year Strategic Plan, meticulously crafted based on valuable community feedback. This plan serves as our guiding light, outlining our vision, priorities, objectives, and strategies for the future.
Being a part of the Board of Education demands a significant commitment of time and effort. I proudly serve as the Board Vice Chair, contribute to five subcommittees, sit on our negotiations and master planning teams, and hold the highest attendance record on the Board.
Our District faces pivotal decisions, and I am seeking re-election with bi-partisan support, to ensure the successful execution of our Strategic Plan with unwavering fidelity and accountability. I am deeply grateful for this close-knit and supportive town, where our residents are engaged in shaping our community, and it would be an honor to represent Haddam once more on the Board of Education.