Connecticut State Board of Education
Connecticut Technical High School Committee

Draft Minutes of Meeting
March 14, 2007

Pursuant to notice filed with the Secretary of the State, the Connecticut Technical High School Committee, the “Committee” met on March 14, 2007, at the offices of the Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS), Middletown, Connecticut.

I.          Committee Members Present:   Mr. Donald Coolican, Chairman
                                                            Dr. Alice Carolan
            SDE Staff Present:                    Dr. Abigail L. Hughes, Superintendent
                                                            Dr. Anne P. Druzolowski, Asst. Superintendent                                                                                                                  Ms. Judith Thompson, Asst. Superintendent
                                                            Mr. Richard Cavallaro, Wilcox Technical High School
                                                            Mr. David Grzych, Education Consultant
            Public Present:                          Ms. Katie Warchut, New London Day
                                                                                                                       
Chairperson Coolican called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

II.         Executive Session  Dr. Hughes requested that executive session be reserved at the end        of the meeting.  The Committee concurred.   

            Committee Meeting

Upon motion duly made by Dr. Carolan, and Mr. Coolican seconded, approval of the Committee minutes of the February 23, 2007 meeting.

IV.        Public Participation  There was no public comment.

VI.        Items for Connecticut Technical High School Committee Action

At its February 23, 2007 Committee meeting, Committee members asked Dr. Hughes to further investigate and look into alternatives to offering a leadership management program such as offering the trade at Prince Tech due to its close proximity to the Connecticut Convention Center; whether the curriculum needs to be revised to prepare students to do other things as well; check other tech schools and see what successes they have had and is it possible to run this trade in only one school.  A report was presented by Dr. Hughes which included additional information about Hotel/Hospitality based on meetings held with human resources personnel at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.  The recommendation was to change the name and the curriculum and reauthorize for two years at which time the viability of the revised program would be reviewed.  Dr. Hughes stated that Prince Tech wants Health Tech as opposed to the Hotel/Hospitality Program.  Committee members directed Dr. Hughes to let people know that the Committee was not 100% sold on the concept and they are looking for real substance.  The Committee approved authorization for two years.  The report is on file at the CTHSS central office.

Upon motion duly made by Dr. Carolan, and Mr. Coolican seconded, approval of the Trade Reauthorization of the Hotel/Hospitality Program for two years.

Dr. Druzolowski presented to the Committee members on summer school options for CTHS students for 2006-07.  She alerted the Committee members that due to cuts in federal funds and lack of resources in the CTHSS state budget, the CTHSS would probably not be able to offer summer school in any of our schools.  Letters to schools have been sent to parents informing them of this information.  Principals and teachers have been asked to work hard toward helping students by using the extended day program, labs and other school resources available to ensure that students are successful in their courses.  A discussion ensued on the estimated cost of running a summer school; examining the tuition fee students would have to incur; and examining the availability of state or federal funds to subsidize any portion of the program, the Committee felt that from a fiscal and philosophical point of view it is not feasible to offer summer school to our students.          
    
VIII.      Report of the Superintendent
                                     
Administrator’s and Teacher’s Contracts

Dr. Hughes informed Committee members that the CTHSS will open the 2007-08 school year with four year contracts in place for both the administrators and teachers.  Mr. Aaron Silvia who presently serves as President for the teacher’s union does not intend to run again leaving the position up for reelection.  

NOCTI

Dr. Hughes informed the Committee members that NOCTI moved to district administered Centralized Testing for 11 programs while the remaining 12 program assessments are still administered by the schools.  The bulk of the NOCTI testing will be done in April (4/2-4/13) and May (5/4-5/17) with testing for HVAC completed in March (3/6, 3/8, 3/13, 3/15).  Dr. Hughes will provide NOCTI testing dates to Committee members in the event they are interested in visiting a NOCTI Assessment.  Prior to visiting a school on a NOCTI assessment administration day, Committee members are requested to please contact the school Principal and notify them of their desire to visit the school and observe the assessment.
             
IX.        Public Participation  There was no public comment.

X.         Other Matters

Dr. Carolan motioned, Mr. Coolican seconded, to meet in executive session.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_________________________________
Elizabeth Rivera, Office Supervisor