STAMFORD, CT—Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4), Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy, and Stamford Mayor David Martin toured J.M. Wright Technical High School in Stamford this morning as it reopened for the start of the school year. Following its closure in 2009, state and community stakeholders came together to renovate the school, which is one of the state’s technical high schools
“The new Wright Tech is a prime example of what can happen when governments, communities, and the private sector come together to invest in our future,” Himes said. “The renovated facilities and high-tech programs will help prepare our young adults for the jobs of the 21st century, and ensure that they get a high-quality high school education. I commend the Governor and his team, our local labor organizations, and the private businesses that came together to make this a reality, and I look forward to working with them all to make the new Wright Tech a success.”
“This ribbon cutting is a big step for the City of Stamford that will allow us to advance the important work of training the next generation of workers that will be globally competitive,” said Governor Malloy. “Working with community partners, this school has developed a strategy of vision to ensure that the 145 students enrolled today are meeting the workforce demands in Connecticut. I am proud to support this project and will continue to support investments that improve and transform our K-12 and higher education systems so that Connecticut is poised to fulfill the demands of a 21st Century workforce.”
“Wright Tech was deeply missed after its closure in 2009, and I am proud of the incredible work of Governor Malloy in making the renovation and reopening of the school a priority. The new Wright Tech will provide students with the training and education to be competitive in today’s economy and contribute greatly to the educational offerings available to Stamford students,” said Mayor David Martin. “I look forward to supporting Wright Tech well into the future.”
J.M. Wright Technical High School is one of 18 schools in the Connecticut Technical High School System. Governor Malloy led a coalition of state and local education officials, private companies, and trade and labor organizations to rebuild and support the new Wright Tech. The $90 million project fully renovated 199,000 square feet, adding new simulated work environments and school facilities to the interior; added 1,550 square feet of new space; and redesigned the aged exterior and entrances.
Wright Tech serves students from Stamford, Norwalk, Easton, Fairfield, Weston, Wilton, Westport, New Canaan, Greenwich and Bridgeport. The inaugural class will have 145 students who will be responsible for taking a traditional high school academic curriculum and specializing in one of ten in-demand fields. The programs offered are Health Technology, Digital Media, Information Systems Technology, Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing and Heating, Culinary Arts and Science, Automotive Technology, Tourism, Hospitality, and Guest Services Management, and the nation’s first high school Facilities Management program.
The students will also benefit from academic partnerships with UCONN Stamford, Norwalk Community College, and the Connecticut State University System, which will allow them to take upper-level courses and pursue further degrees. The partnering trade organizations and companies will also continue their collaboration with the school and students in preparing curricula and connecting students with opportunities in their field.