I’ve been trying for a few days to get in touch with Lt. Gov. Mike Fedele of Stamford to get his thoughts on what appears to be the inevitable closure of J.M. Wright Technical School in his hometown.
As The Advocate reported earlier this week, Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s administration is expected by the end of this week/early next week to decide Wright’s fate and whether the facility will re-open Aug. 27 for the new school year.
Rell proposed closing Wright in her two-year budget. And although the legislature’s Democratic majority wants to keep it open, with no budget pact in sight, Rell holds all the cards in the run-up to Aug. 27. With no budget deal, the administration has the authority to transfer the remaining ten die-hard teachers who have not decided to retire/relocate as a result of the closure talk and the authority to eliminate funding for Wright.
Privately some in Stamford have said to me they cannot understand how this is being allowed to happen with Fedele in office.
Fedele has said he wants to save Wright but has also avoided criticizing his boss, Rell. I’ve wanted to speak with him about these recent developments and late yesterday his spokesman passed along an e-mail to me that read: “The Lt. Governor is honoring the (communications) blackout during the ongoing budget negotiations and therefore does not have a comment, since Wright Tech is part of those discussions.”
Is that a sign of hope that perhaps Wright will reopen for the new school year or, at the very least, only close temporarily? Or is that just an excuse not to discuss a pending closure until the Rell administration sees fit to make it public?
I think the pressure is on, wouldnt place any bets either way.
But from a political perspective, I believe there is reason to be optimistic. This is a vital issue and can be a make or break for Rell and she knows it. Rell has proven herself astute with a keen sense of the thermostat. With state wide protest about to pop up all over state, we shall see.. If Rell saves the schools that will give her a big boost.
Comment by V.O.V. — July 25th, 2009 @ 9:28 am
Dear Ltgobernor Maichel Fedele,many residents of Stamford,Norwalk,and Bridgeport Connecticut wish to have you support in keeping a local technical shcool open. J.M. Wright Technical Vocational school is on the verge of being closed down to save money a budget,and this will put in jeperdy the future of many students, and this decition is been made by the Governor of Connecticut Jodi Rell on the Chairman of the State Board of Education . The school has been struggling to stay open for years because of a low student count. If the school does close many students will be force stop pursuing the trade they have chosen, . We have created petitions and have protested against the closing of the school and yet they insist on its closing. the Aug.27th of the final decision will be made. If you could have an influence on this decision it would grately be appreciated by the students of J.M. Wright Tech and residents of Connecticut Thank you.
Comment by walter — July 29th, 2009 @ 8:53 pm