CT technical schools executive director to step down after 6 unions call for her removal

Ellen Solek, the executive director of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, says she will step down from her office at the end of the year after six unions and more than a thousand teachers recently called for her removal.

Solek announced her plans in a message sent to CTECS employees Thursday, just after the union representing teachers at CTECS — a statewide system of 17 technical high schools and adult education programs — organized a vote of no confidence in her leadership ability. 

"After careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to retire from my role as Executive Director of CTECS effective in December," Solek wrote in her message to CTECS Chief of Staff Ronke Stallings, which was then emailed to employees.

Solek did not expand further on her reasons for retiring in the message. Instead she wrote in her message: "It has been an absolute joy and privilege to serve as the leader of this incredible school system ... I am truly proud to have been part of such an outstanding team."

Solek, Stallings or a spokesperson for CTECS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Paul Angelucci, president of the the State Vocational Federation of Teachers union, which represents approximately 1,350 CTECS educators, cited "a volatile fiscal situation" in the school system, a lack of accountability and transparency as reasons for the vote of no confidence. Of the entire union membership that participated, 99 percent voted no confidence. Five additional unions representing employees in the technical school system also called for Solek's removal this week. 

Solek was sworn in as CTECS executive director in June 2023 after being appointed by Gov. Ned Lamont. A spokesperson for Lamont did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to the state comptroller's office, Solek was projected to earn an annual salary of $232,662 for 2024.

As executive director, Solek is responsible for the development of CTECS business and industry partners, the oversight of agency fiscal operations, and the continued collaboration with state legislators and leaders in support of the CTECS mission and vision, according to the CTECS website. Prior to that role, Solek served as superintendent of schools for CTECS, and before that was superintendent of Bristol Public Schools.

"I am confident that your enduring commitment to CTECS will continue to guide our students to even greater achievements in the years to come," Solek wrote in her message to employees. In the remaining weeks of her employment, she wrote she would continue the agency's work and provide employees with informational updates as they became available.