Connecticut State Board of Education
Connecticut Technical High School Committee

Draft Minutes of Meeting
February 23, 2007

Pursuant to notice filed with the Secretary of the State, the Connecticut Technical High School Committee, the “Committee” met on February 23, 2007, at the offices of the Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS), Middletown, Connecticut.

I.          Committee Members Present:                Mr. Donald Coolican, Chairman
                                                                        Mrs. Theresa Hopkins-Staten
                                                                        Dr. Alice Carolan
            SDE Staff Present:                                Dr. Abigail L. Hughes, Superintendent
                                                                        Dr. Anne P. Druzolowski, Asst. Superintendent 
                                                                        Ms. Judith Thompson, Asst. Superintendent
                                                                        Mr. James Chasse, Fiscal Education Consultant
                                                                        Ms. Christine Johnson, Education Consultant
                                                                       Mr. John Bruno, Platt Technical High School
                                                                        Mr. David Grzych, Education Consultant
                                                                                                                       
Chairperson Coolican called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.

II.         Executive Session  The Committee did not convene in executive session.    

            Connecticut Technical High School Committee Meetings

After a detailed discussion regarding the contents of Committee meeting minutes, Mrs. Hopkins-Staten moved, and Dr. Carolan seconded, approval of the Committee minutes of the January 10, 2007, December 13, 2006 and October 11, 2006 meeting as amended.  Mr. Coolican abstained.

IV.        Public Participation  There was no public comment.

VI.        Items for Connecticut Technical High School Committee Action

Mr. Chasse and Ms. Johnson presented to the Committee an overview of the CTHSS School Lunch and Breakfast Program.  The report is attached.       

A detailed discussion ensued with respect to the school lunch and breakfast program including the cost that should be borne by students.

Upon motion duly made by Dr. Carolan, and seconded by Mrs. Hopkins-Staten, it was unanimously resolved that the cost of the school lunch be decreased to $2.50 and that the cost of a la carte items be increased.

Upon motion duly made by Dr. Carolan, and seconded by Mrs. Hopkins-Staten, it was unanimously resolved that the cost of the school breakfast remain unchanged. 

                                                 
VII.       Items for Connecticut Technical High School Committee Discussion

A report was presented by Mr. Grzych which analyzed the viability of Hotel/Hospitality as an appropriate offering in CTHSS.  A detailed discussion was then held on the trade reauthorization of the hotel/hospitality program.   Committee members suggested the CTHSS may want to think of alternatives as in offering a leadership management program; offering the trade at Prince Tech due to its close proximity to the Connecticut Convention Center; does the curriculum need to be revised to prepare students to do other things as well; check other tech schools and see what successes they have done and is it possible to run this trade in only one school.  The report is attached.

After a detailed discussion, the Committee voted to table this agenda item, pending further investigation into other options until its March 14, 2007 meeting. 

A report was presented by Dr. Hughes which identified the admission criteria and the admission data to Emmett O’Brien Tech.  Committee members discussed the standards for admission to the technical high schools and one board member thought the standards may be too high.  The tech schools were designed for learning a trade and all of the students do not go on to college.  Dr. Hughes spoke to the board members on the complex reading and the high level math necessary to be successful in a trade/technology and that students need a minimal level of math and reading when they enter.  Dr. Carolan directed Dr. Hughes to contact administrators at the local Seymour Board of Education to address their concerns on the admission process.  The report is attached.  

Committee members discussed the transportation of students from their local town to a technical high school.  Dr. Hughes stated that a student can apply to any technical high school and the sending town must provide reasonable transportation.  Some districts send students to more than one technical high school.  There are various options on transportation for students.
    
VIII.      Report of the Superintendent  Dr. Hughes did not present a report.

IX.        Public Participation  There was no public comment.

X.         Other Matters

Dr. Hughes gave the committee members an update on Wright Tech.  Though lots of recruitment has been done for Wright Tech, enrollment is less than 70% with only 54 students accepted for next year.  The $42M renovation has been put on hold.  A public hearing will be held in Stamford at the end of April.  Discussion was held on the possibility of reconstituting Wright Tech to resemble modeling Bristol Tech.  Dr. Hughes will be meeting with administrators from Wright Tech in early March.  Committee members concurred that the current model does not appear to meet the needs of the Stamford and Norwalk communities and other models should be explored.

Dr. Hughes informed the committee members that Goodwin, Kaynor and Wright Tech schools now require uniforms for the academic and trade students.  The principals of these schools made a presentation to the other tech principals who are considering uniforms for their schools.  The Committee was supportive of the school uniform concept.
 
            c)  Yankee Ingenuity Challenge
As a result of a grant received from the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (“CBIA”), the CTHSS will take part in “The Challenge”, which will consist of teams comprised of students, teachers and private industry advisors who will design and develop a prototype product for the competition.  Three finalist teams will receive $1,000 in scholarship funds to share among student members.  The winning team will share in an additional $1,000 in scholarships.  The winning product will be placed on sale at the Connecticut Creative Store.  Proceeds from sales will be donated to the winning school’s activity fund.  Information on the Yankee Ingenuity Challenge is attached.

The CTHSS has also been asked by CBIA to participate in the design of their Holiday card for next year.  All but 2 of the graphic shops will participate.  They research CBIA and design the card to speak of their mission.  This is a great recognition and opportunity for the students.     

            d)  CBIA Sponsored Externships
As a result of a grant received from the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (“CBIA”), the CTHSS will take part in externships for 3-5 teams of teachers to spend four weeks this summer in a manufacturing company in the state; incorporate the knowledge and skills acquired into the CTHSS exploratory program and curriculum; and strengthen connections between the trade/technology and academic applications of skills and knowledge.  CTHSS teachers are encouraged to apply for this externship.  Information on the CBIA Sponsored Externships is attached. 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_________________________________
Elizabeth Rivera, Office Supervisor