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STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106 |
M. Jodi Rell Governor |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2010
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Contact: 860-524-7313
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Governor Rell Celebrates Makeover of
Waterbury’s Kaynor Tech
Governor M. Jodi Rell today celebrated the renovation and expansion of W.F. Kaynor Technical High School in Waterbury, which includes new academic classrooms and gymnasium as well as renovations to the kitchen, trades shops and conversion of the old gym into new space for the Health, Hair Dressing and Fashion classes.
Gov. Rell greets Kaynor students.
“I am tremendously pleased to help celebrate the new look at Kaynor Tech – but of course what goes on behind these walls and in these classrooms is the true measure of success,” Governor Rell said. “This represents a $67 million investment in our work force – and in our future.
“Connecticut has the most productive and highly skilled work force in the nation, because we have what employers want,” the Governor said. “And it all starts in our classrooms. For nearly 60 years, Kaynor Tech has turned out the graduates with the skills that the greater Waterbury community and our state needs. That success is in large part to our vo-tech system’s ability to change with the times. Flexibility and diversification are the keys to keep vo-tech education moving forward.
“Think about it – when watchmaking and clockmaking were prime industries in this area, Kaynor Tech turned out individuals who excelled in that craft,” Governor Rell said. “But over 40 years ago it was considered obsolete and was replaced with electronics. And so we keep moving forward – with modern curriculum, modern facilities – but always with the same goal: A solid education for our citizens and training and skills needed to keep Connecticut working and growing in the 21st Century.”
The Kaynor Tech project encompassed 215,000 square feet of new space and existing space renovated as new. The new space also included a trades addition, cafeteria addition, administrative offices, garage and new athletic fields. The renovations also included the trades shops and the mechanical and electrical systems.
Warren Fox Kaynor Technical High School was established in 1953 and serves nine towns in western Connecticut. Thirteen trades are offered along with health technology and services. The school has 753 students and is known throughout the region for producing highly trained workers, particularly in the machine trades.