Connecticut Technical High Schools Form Foundation

The Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS), which prepares young people for careers in the technical fields, has a new resource in its efforts to improve opportunities for its students -- The CTHSS Foundation.

"I applaud this forward-thinking initiative to support our state's excellent technical high schools," Governor M. Jodi Rell said. "The foundation will be a way to attract additional resources to the system and fund scholarships for promising students in need of assistance to further their education."

"After nearly two years of preparation, the foundation has received all the necessary approvals to receive tax-deductible donations to support our educational programs, enhance teaching and provide scholarships for our students as they move on to higher education", said Abigail L. Hughes, CTHSS superintendent.

"The Connecticut Technical High School System has many successful graduates, friends and supporters throughout the state and region who would like to give back and support improvements in our schools. We wanted to create a mechanism that would facilitate that process, and help individuals and institutions to direct resources to meet the needs of our schools," said Carol P. Wallace, newly-elected foundation president and president and CEO of Cooper-Atkins Corporation.

Hughes and Wallace said, "We are very pleased that the foundation has come to fruition. This is part of an overall reform package that includes new curriculum, higher standards, better facilities and better teaching methods. The foundation will help raise funds to assure that our students can be exposed to the latest technologies and have some additional support in the form of scholarships as they graduate and go onto college or their apprenticeship programs."

We have been notified by the IRS that the CTHSS Foundation is approved as a public charity under section 501(c)(3).  This means that the foundation may receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts.  This ruling is in effect until June 30, 2010, at which time we will be notified as to whether we should continue as a public charity or convert to a private foundation.   In either case contributions will still be tax deductible.

"We hope that members of the business community, many of whom are graduates of our schools, will take advantage of this opportunity to support improvements to the technical school system. We know that there is a great deal of good will toward our schools and our students, and people want to support their success; the foundation will help facilitate that support."

We have assembled a talented and committed board of trustees to guide the foundation forward, said Hughes. We appreciate their support and participation; they are busy people who are volunteering their time and expertise."

The Board of Trustees is as follows:

President Carol Wallace

President/CEO, Cooper-Atkins

Vice President Lauren Kaufman

Vice President, CBIA

Treasurer James Cronin

President, Dime Bank

Secretary Mary Ellen Dombrowski President,

Independent Electrical Contractors of New England

Directors

Paul Barry Telaid Industries

Miguel Cardona Hanover School

Brian Curry Coca Cola

Tim Davenport System Air Supply

Patricia Downs Dept. of Economic Development

John Fonfara Connecticut State Senator

Judy Moran Waterford Hotel Group

Terri Masters CT Day Care Centers

Sandi Nafis Connecticut State Representative

Thomas L. Phillips Capital Workforce Partners

Shelly Saczynski United Illuminating

Andrew G. Timmerman Fairfield Crystal Technology

For information about making a contribution, contact: Drew Soltys at 1-877-391-7550