District Leadership
Executive Director
As the Executive Director of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), I am honored to lead this extraordinary agency during such an important time. CTECS plays a critical role in shaping Connecticut's future workforce by providing high-quality career and technical education to more than 11,000 high school students and nearly 3,000 adult learners. Our dedicated team of educators and staff work tirelessly to prepare students for rewarding careers and meaningful contributions to their communities. We ensure our graduates are ready to meet the demands of today's rapidly evolving industries.
Looking ahead, we see countless opportunities to grow, innovate, and strengthen our system. I look forward to collaborating with Governor Lamont's administration, legislators, the CTECS Advisory Board, educators, industry leaders, labor unions, colleges and universities, and all our stakeholders in this endeavor. I am confident that we have the people and passion to achieve great things for CTECS students and the state of Connecticut.
Your voice matters in this journey. I encourage you to share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback as we work together to uphold CTECS' commitment to being the state's primary pipeline for a skilled labor workforce.
Alice Pritchard, Ph.D.
Executive Director Communications
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Welcome back! I hope everyone had a chance to take a break, spend time with family and friends, and return ready for a new school year.
We have been busy this summer preparing for the year ahead and putting some important pieces in place across CTECS. Many thanks to the central office staff and school administrators who established, reviewed, and updated policies and procedures for a wide range of administrative functions. Not glamorous work but sets us up well for the year ahead.
One of our priorities has been improving the way we manage and use our tight resources. Through centralized budgeting and purchasing, we have been able to more efficiently order supplies over the summer and ensure classrooms are stocked and ready for students and staff when they return. We are rolling out a new procurement system and have added digital payment options for student activities, production, and adult education. Though this creates lots of new things for all of us to learn, these are important steps to making sure our schools have the support and resources they need.
We have also continued to build capacity across the system. Our new Grants and Federal Programs Office is hard at work, and we recently secured a $350,000 state grant that will support the development of dedicated spaces at Bullard-Havens and Prince Tech where students can get additional help when they are experiencing challenges. At the same time, CTECS is investing in our workforce by hiring the first wave of 27 paraprofessionals this year. These are important resources to improve our special education services and student support. In addition, we are finalizing plans for the use of new state funding to provide adult training programs for job seekers and awaiting word on grant proposals to support this training as well.
This year, we will be focused on taking a more strategic approach to workforce development. We are looking at how we strengthen and expand our partnerships, including a revamp of Program Advisory Committees and engagement of new employers. We will continue to look for ways to increase work-based learning opportunities for all students and bring more employers and community partners into our schools to provide career information and resources.
Throughout the year, I will share updates on this work and on the priorities shaping CTECS. We are already looking ahead to the legislative and budget proposal process for next year, and we will continue to keep our mission and vision at the center of those conversations. You can view the most recent legislative report and administrative digest report on my webpage, and I encourage you to follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates on what is happening across CTECS and around the state.
There is a lot of good work underway across our system, and I am looking forward to seeing what we accomplish together this year. Welcome back.
Superintendent of Schools
I’m honored to step into the role of Superintendent for the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System. This work is deeply personal to me. After serving in the Army, my father pursued training in HVAC at a Connecticut technical school, and through that hands-on education, he built a stable, meaningful life for our family. That experience showed me the real power of technical education—not just to teach a skill, but to open doors, create independence, and change the trajectory of a family.
What drives me now is the opportunity to ensure every student in CTECS has access to that same transformative path. I want to strengthen and expand pathways that connect students to high-demand careers, elevate the pride and purpose of skilled trades, and foster learning environments where students are seen, supported, and inspired to pursue their potential. Just as importantly, I want to support the educators and staff who make this vision possible—by investing in their growth, honoring their expertise, and creating the conditions for them to thrive.
In every leadership role, I’ve remained focused on expanding opportunity, building trust, and delivering results. I’m excited to bring that experience and passion to CTECS and ensure both students and educators are positioned for long-term success.
Mike Crocco
Follow me on Instagram @ctecs_supt_perspective
