Governor Rowland: Number 24

WHEREAS, the Vocational-Technical High School system is an essential educational partner in the growth of Connecticut’s economy, with significant annual state funding for the schools and the planned capital investments in the Vocational-Technical High Schools, it is critical to craft the vision of the schools in concert with the planned programs so the schools reflect the new economy and the education and training needed for its workers;

WHEREAS, the Connecticut Vocational-Technical High School system is a vital state asset, developing workers who are needed in an economy that is global, market driven and private industry led, premised on innovation and productivity;

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Education in its Vocational Education in the United States: Towards the Year 2000 found that the national economy’s shift from "a manufacturing-based economy to one that overwhelmingly provides services and information" will require a "shift in the education and training fields that are required of the U.S. work force;"

WHEREAS, the state invests significant General Fund resources in the Vocational-Technical High School system annually, with an appropriated level of $107 million in fiscal year 2002 and $115 million in fiscal year 2003;

WHEREAS, the Vocational-Technical High School system is at a crossroads, with the state planning a major capital infusion. Total capital needs over the next five years are estimated to be $252 million;

WHEREAS, the Connecticut Vocational-Technical High School system generally educates from 7%-8% (about 11,000 students) of the state’s high school age population along with an additional 10,000 adults annually;

WHEREAS, as the Regional Vocational-Technical High School System (RVTSS) begins the new millennium, its course offerings and graduates need to change to meet the demands of the new global economy. While the traditional programs in the construction, manufacturing, and service industries continue to be important to many students and the economy, many need to be modernized to reflect the breadth of opportunity in these fields. Additionally, it is critical to expand the RVTSS programs beyond the few offerings in high technology fields to meet the employment needs of Connecticut’s businesses and industry.

NOW THEREFORE, I, John G. Rowland, Governor of the State of Connecticut, acting by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State and in the spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship demanded by the importance of this matter, do hereby ORDER AND DIRECT:

1.	That there is hereby created the Governor's Task Force on the Future of the Regional Vocational-Technical High School System (hereinafter the "Governor's Task Force").
2.	That the Governor's Task Force shall be chaired by a person designated by the Governor.
3.	That membership in the Governor's Task Force shall be designated by the Governor and consist of: (A) its chair, who shall be drawn from subsection (B); (B) ten representatives of business, holding the title of Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer or the equivalent of the foregoing designations, drawn from key industry, service, and manufacturing firms of small, medium and large capitalization; (C) the Co-chairmen and Ranking Members of the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Education;(D) the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development; (E) the Commissioner of Labor, (E) the Commissioner of Education, (F) a representative of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness; and (G) a designee of the Chairman of the State Board of Education.
4.	That all initial appointments shall be made by January 15, 2002.
5.	That the mission of the Governor's Task Force shall be to develop an action plan for vocational technical education in Connecticut that will translate the short and long term needs of Connecticut’s economy, particularly those supporting growth, emerging and technology industries, into the programming, budgeting and planning strategies for Connecticut’s vocational technical school system. These strategies will include proposals for new programs, phasing out economically unneeded programs, enrollment projections and the use of current and future capital resources. The Task Force will issue an interim report on April 5, 2002, with a final report at the conclusion of the Task Force’s work.
6.	The Department of Education and the Department of Economic and Community Development will provide primary staff for the Task Force. The Office of Policy and Management shall provide such additional staff support as is deemed necessary by the Task Force.
7.	The Governor's Task Force shall have the following powers: (A) to obtain from any executive branch department, board, commission or other agency of the state such assistance and data as will enable it to carry out the purposes of this executive order; (B) to accept any gifts, donations, bequests or grants of funds from private entities for all or any of the purposes of this executive order; and (C) to perform such other acts as may be necessary and appropriate to carry out the objectives and purposes of this executive order.
8.	The Governor's Task Force shall hold at least one meeting each month. It will cease operation after six months, unless such body votes to extend its work for no more than 90 additional days.