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 . Watch for candidate statements in the October Vocational Instructor.
Retirement Information- Many members have called the office with questions about retirement. We have limited information to share and cannot estimate for you what your benefits might be. The number for State of CT retirement information is 860-702-3490. Or you can visit their web site.Click here
Labor Management- The SVFT leadership and the members of this committee will attend the first labor management meeting for the current school year on October 17 at Central Office. Among the issues the SVFT will add to the agenda will be the October 1 enrollment figures and the question of accepting more students to meet the enrollment goals of this school year.
Health & Safety- The committee began the year with a visit to Abbott Tech on Monday, 9/22. Committee members were very impressed with the new construction and renovations at Abbott. Their next visit will be to Cheney on October 20.
Member Steps Up- Cheryl Collett, Social Studies Teacher at Goodwin and SVFT delegate has volunteered to serve on the AFT-CT Pre-K 12 Council. Cheryl will attend the meetings and then brief the leadership and membership. Thanks Cheryl!
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.Surveys continue to arrive at the SVFT office and will be discussed at the October Executive Council meeting. Given the state of the economy and the plethora of problems facing our country and state right now its a good idea to carefully read and listen to all the positions each candidate takes. Be sure to VOTE ON 11/4!
School Visits- The SVFT leadership have visited Wright Tech, Goodwin Tech, Kaynor Tech, and Prince Tech. Visits to Vinal, OBrien and Whitney are scheduled. We are very interested to hear from shop teachers how you feel the two-day exploratory schedule is impacting the shop experience of students. 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!