Students from the state's 16 vocational-technical high schools are staging a protest at the Capitol today.
The students are upset that sports programs at the schools could be eliminated. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget-balancing plan calls for scrapping sports at the vocational-technical schools, along with a host of other cuts and consolidations. But that plan would only take effect if state employees don't ratify a concession deal that aims to save the state $1.6 billion over the next two years. The unions are expected to conlcude their voting in mid-August.
Meanwhile, the students say they aren't taking any chances. They say participating in sports is a key part of their high school experience and they came to Hartford to make their voices heard in hopes of getting the programs restored even if the union deal fails.
Being a member of the Wilcox Tech football helped Jason Palma of Meriden become more physically fit, disciplined and a better student. It also taught him "life lessons, like how to work with people,'' he said as he stood near the north steps of the Capitol just before 9 a.m. this morning.
Devon Kenney, 14, another Wilcox football player, said members of the team were pumped for the fall season. But they found out a few weeks ago that the program would be chopped if other savings measures aren't achieved.
"We'd been training all year and we got a new coach but then we found out we might not be able to play,'' Kenney said.
The rally on the north steps of the Capitol is expected to get underway around 10 a.m. this morning.