Grasso Tech Could Be Offered to Groton Board of Education

Gov. Dannel Malloy's proposal to shift operation of the state's vocational-technical high schools may require the Groton Board of Education to decide whether it wants to take in Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School.

Malloy's plan would transfer the technical schools from the state to local boards of education or regional educational entities. The idea is to trim some of the vocational school system's annual $160 million cost.

Grasso Tech serves about 600 students from 23 communities. Students choose from among 11 vocational disciplines, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, auto repair and hospitality services. The school has more than 80 faculty and staff.

State Department of Education Spokesman Thomas Murphy said the vocational schools would be turned over at a rate of about four per year beginning as early as next year or the year after. The state would offer grants to the host community or regional entity that took over the schools.

"In the case of Ella Grasso, the state would provide an annual grant of about
$8.5 million to offset the cost," Murphy said. "The local boards of education
would have the right of first refusal."

Grasso Tech has a budget of just over $8.5 million for the current school year. More than $4.5 million goes to personnel and services. Under the current proposal, the current employees would continue to receive pay and benefits negotiated with the state by their existing union, even if they were to be absorbed into the Groton school system.

State Rep. Elissa Wright, D-Groton, said she is familiar with the governor's proposal and is open to discussing possible changes. But she said the vocational education system has operated very well under the state department of education for a long time.

"I also have doubts that this would achieve the savings and educational benefits that they are seeking," she said.

Brian Shirvell, chairman of the Groton Town Board of Education, said he had heard rumblings over the last few months about the proposal, but it still has to be reviewed.

"We really haven't discussed among ourselves yet," Shirvell said of the Board of Education. "We'll wait for the details."

If Groton declined to take in Grasso Tech, the school would go by defauIt to LEARN in Old Lyme, the area's designated regional education service center.

State and local officials acknowledge that discussions still are very preliminary, and will involve the legislature, executive branch and the affected municipalities.

Murphy said Secretary Ben Barnes of the Office of Policy and Management, met with more than 40 education and government officials on Monday to field questions.

Murphy said the state wants the schools to continue to working in the communities, and with local businesses, manufacturers and trade unions to guarantee them skilled workers, and to guarantee students a top-level education.

Messages left with OPM on Monday were not returned.  Grasso Principal Scott Zito referred all questions to the state's vocational education office, which in turn directed them to Murphy.