Committee moves Dr. Alice Pritchard forward as executive director of CTECS

Dr. Alice Pritchard, nominated to be executive director of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, told the executive and legislative nominations committee on Jan. 30 that she is focused on stabilizing operations and improving student outcomes as the agency moves into its third year as a stand‑alone state department.

Pritchard told the panel she has visited many CTECS campuses since taking the interim post in late November and described the system as “a really strong foundation from which we can build.” She said the agency is balancing near‑term operational work — human resources, finance, procurement and facilities — with efforts to improve student retention and academic supports.

The nomination hearing underscored demand for CTECS programs: Pritchard said the agency received roughly 6,000 applications for about 3,000 ninth‑grade seats in the system’s 14 schools that accept applicants statewide. “We have parents fighting to get their kids into our schools,” she told the committee, and said the places where CTECS can grow may include trade areas with unmet capacity and adult evening programs.

Lawmakers pressed Pritchard on longstanding concerns that preceded her tenure, including special‑education services, classroom staffing and the gap between students who apply and seats available. Pritchard said the state Department of Education has an active review of special‑education matters and that she and Interim Superintendent Freeman Burr are conducting school visits and operational assessments. She also said a consulting firm will review the agency’s transition from the State Department of Education to its current autonomous structure, focusing on HR, finance and procurement.

Committee members repeatedly raised the need to build stronger regional and higher‑education partnerships, expand dual‑enrollment and apprenticeship pathways, and to use existing community‑college and university facilities where possible rather than build new plants. Pritchard said she has begun talks with community colleges and other state agencies about dual enrollment and employment pipelines, and suggested that partnerships — including co‑location with community colleges or industry sites — could be part of a strategic expansion plan.

Members also asked how CTECS can better market career and technical pathways to parents and earlier‑grade students. Pritchard and witnesses said some progress exists — for example, “high school signing days” and media coverage that highlights student successes — but that broader outreach to guidance counselors, parents and middle‑school students is needed.

Public testimony included written and in‑person support for Pritchard from long‑time CTECS stakeholders. Paul Angelucci, a former shop teacher and union officer, said he had led a coalition to force management change previously and urged the committee to confirm Pritchard because she is focusing on placing a CFO and a permanent superintendent and addressing special‑education staffing.

The committee voted to carry the nomination forward for final action; members said they will continue to monitor implementation progress and expected periodic reporting on student retention, credentialing and staffing.

Dr. Alice Pritchard pledged to return with updates on the agency’s corrective measures and said she was prepared to work with legislators, the board and education and workforce partners to improve outcomes for students across the state.