Press Releases
01/30/2018
Jeffrey Wihbey Appointed as New Superintendent of CT Technical Education and Career System
(HARTFORD) – Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) Commissioner Dianna Wentzell today announced her appointment of Jeffrey S. Wihbey to serve as the Superintendent of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) – formerly the Connecticut Technical High School System. Last month, the CTECS Board recommended Mr. Wihbey, who has been serving as Interim Superintendent since March 2017, as the full-time superintendent candidate pending the approval of Commissioner Wentzell.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Superintendent Wihbey before his appointment and know that he is the right person to lead this system forward,” said Commissioner Wentzell. “His many years of experience as an educator will guide his vision for fostering a welcoming and diverse educational environment across all CTECS schools, one that engages students and prepares them to succeed in college, their careers and life.”
Over the next several months, Mr. Wihbey will implement his Superintendent Entry Plan during which he will visit all CTECS schools as part of a listening and learning tour, meeting with students, teachers, staff, administrators, families, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss and get input on planning the future growth of the system.
“The CTECS Board has been impressed with the work Jeff has done as Interim Superintendent. He is very focused on the needs of the students and employers in the state,” said CTECS Board Chair Robert Trefry. “I look forward to the system flourishing under his leadership.”
Mr. Wihbey had served as Assistant Superintendent of CTECS for three years since late January 2014. He came to CTECS with a distinguished career in the field of public education, serving as Principal, Assistant Principal, and Department Head at various schools throughout Connecticut and began his career in education as a Social Studies teacher in Bristol. Before coming to CTECS, Mr. Wihbey served as the founding Principal of the Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy in North Windham. As founding Principal, Mr. Wihbey was responsible for preparing the academic and physical plant operations for the new school and ensuring full enrollment for the scheduled opening, both of which he achieved on time and under budget.
“Mr. Wihbey is a dedicated, collaborative and visionary leader. Under his capable leadership and direction CTECS will develop a comprehensive Strategic Plan enabling us to respond quickly and effectively to the educational needs of our students as well as the needs of Connecticut's businesses and industries, thereby strengthening our economy,” said CTECS Board Vice-Chair Patricia Keavney-Maruca. “The System is in capable hands with Mr. Wihbey as Superintendent.”
Mr. Wihbey also served as Principal of Natchaug School which, when he assumed leadership of the school, was ranked in the lowest 5% of academic achievement in the state of Connecticut. In 2011, Natchaug School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress for the first time in the school’s history with reading, writing, and math scores increasing by 10% in every category.
“I am very excited to be working with our team on achieving our district mission of creating college and career ready students coming from CTECS schools across the state,” said Superintendent Wihbey. “Our efforts will also involve working with industry to support economic development within the state as well as skilling up kids to be able to achieve a living wage through access to highly technical jobs.”
Mr. Wihbey holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from UCONN, a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching from Quinnipiac University, and a Sixth Year in Educational Leadership from UCONN.
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Media Contact: Peter Yazbak
Director of Communications
Connecticut State Department of Education
Phone: 860-713-6528
Mobile: 860-471-3518
E-mail: Peter.Yazbak@ct.gov