Special Election to be Held- Executive Union Representative, Ed Lang has announced his intention to resign his position on November 12, 2008. A special election will be held on November 12, 2008. The nomination period will run from 9/10 10/10. Members interested in running for this position must contact Andrew Taddei at Wilcox Tech by 10/10 at 3:00 p.m. Election/candidate information is posted on the SVFT Web-site under Members Log-in .
Wright Tech - At the CTHSS sub committee of the State Board of Education meeting on 9/10, the Connecticut Technical High School System 2008-2009 Principals Recruitment Plan and Goals were reviewed. Principal Joe LaVorgna will be heading up this concerted and well planned effort to increase the freshman applicant pool by 12.5%. Additionally the plan calls for strengthening of community ties, parental involvement and the proactive connection with area chambers of commerce and the partnership with Norwalk Community College. SVFT leadership will be part of the advisory committee which will plan for and enact this transition to a middle college.
Executive Field Trip- The SVFT leadership will visit Tri-County Vocational Technical High School on Thursday, September 18. Pat and Rick will be part of a trip to Franklin, Massachusetts to visit the technical school and observe the Facilities Maintenance Program there. This is one of the trade/technologies expected to be added to Wright Tech. Visiting on Thursday will be Ray Mencio, C.O. Consultant, Joe LaVorgna, Wright Principal and the C.O. interns.
Political Action Committee- Chairperson Bob Bullard, of the SVFT PAC, shared the returned surveys with the Executive Council and recommended endorsements for candidates. A motion was made and passed by the Executive Council to support candidates through donations to Connecticut Senate and House Leadership Caucuses. Click here to read the PAC report on candidate endorsements.
Off to a good Start- The SVFT leadership has visited Wright Tech, Goodwin Tech and Kaynor Tech so far. Prince, Vinal, OBrien and Whitney are being scheduled. We are very interested to hear how shop teachers feel the two-day exploratory schedule is impacting students shop experiences. Our concern is that two days may not be enough time to truly experience a particular trade especially in schools where freshman are pulled out for two periods of lab each day. Exploratory teachers are encouraged to gather data on how many students are unable to complete projects. The numbers of freshmen in our buildings is very encouraging! Lets hope for fewer and fewer low-enrollment plans this year!