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Letting Air Out of Adult Ed
State layoffs close Stratford aviation-tech program
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Business New Haven
12/23/2002
By: BNH
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Some three-dozen students enrolled in a three-year program to become aircraft mechanics will have to find an alternative to complete their certification when the Stratford School for Aviation Maintenance Technicians closes its doors in June.
The program, based at Sikorsky Airport, will fall victim to drastic state budget cuts announced last month by Gov. John G. Rowland.
Three instructors at the Stratford school, along with four non-teaching staff members, were among 35 vocational-technical and adult-education instructors who received layoff notices December 6.
The Stratford program is one of just two statewide that train adults to perform maintenance on aircraft. A sister program at Ellis Regional Vocational-Technical School in Danielson will also be eliminated.
The half-dozen adult trade programs being eliminated include the apprentice program, aviation maintenance, digital microprocessing, metal trades technician, signal and communication and spring-making.
Rowland cut some 2,800 jobs during the first week of the month to help close the state's estimated $500 million budget deficit.
Unlike most other laid-off workers, the adult-ed teachers will stay on the job until June so that students may complete the school year.
Students in the Stratford program pay $1,300 annually in tuition, compared to $20,000 or more at private schools offering equivalent training.
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