House Republican Press Release

July 21, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps Hovey, Klarides: Masuk High School Assistant Principal Reappointed to State Panel

Laura Ferrante Fernandes Reappointed to CT Advisory Council for Teacher Professional Standards

Woodbridge resident Laura Ferrante Fernandes, an assistant principal at Masuk High School in Monroe, has been reappointed to the Connecticut Advisory Council for Teacher Professional Standards by House Minority Leader Robert M. Ward, R-86^th District, state Representatives DebraLee Hovey, R-112^th District, and Themis Klarides, R-114^th District, announced today.

“Ms. Fernandes has been a hard-working member of the Advisory Council for Teacher Professional Standards for the past two years and I strongly recommended that she be reappointed. Her years of experience as a high school administrator at Masuk High School and her commitment to academic excellence have made her a respected and valuable member of this critical state panel. I’d like to thank Bob Ward for enabling her to continue contributing to the council’s efforts to promote quality education,” Representative Hovey said.

“We are very fortunate that an individual with Laura Fernandes’ knowledge and experience is committed to bringing her time, energy and enthusiasm to the advisory council’s efforts to ensure Connecticut students receive a quality education that enriches their lives. She is an outstanding educator whose professional credentials have made her a key member of this panel over the past two years," Representative Klarides said. “Bob Ward made the best possible choice when he appointed Ms. Fernandes to the council in 2004 and I’m delighted that he has reappointed her. I’m as proud to have her as a constituent as the people of Monroe must be to have her as an assistant principal at Masuk High School.”

“I hope that your service in this position will continue to be challenging and satisfying. I know that the talent and expertise you bring to it will be of great value and service to our state and its citizens,” Representative Ward said in a letter to Ms. Fernandes informing her of her reappointment. “On behalf of the people of Connecticut, please accept my thanks for your willingness to once again accept the challenge of public service and my congratulations on your reappointment to this important position.”

As House Minority Leader, Representative Ward is responsible under state law for appointing two members to the 17-member advisory council, one of whom must be a school administrator.

The duties of the Advisory Council for Teacher Professional Standards include:

• Advising the state Board of Education, the governor and the General Assembly’s Education Committee. The education committee is responsible for matters relating to education concerning teacher preparation, recruitment, certification, professional development, assessment and evaluation and professional discipline.
• Reviewing and commenting on all regulations and other standards concerning the approval of teacher preparation programs and teacher certification.

Reporting on an annual basis to the state Board of Education, the governor and the General Assembly’s Education Committee on its activities and recommendations concerning the condition of the teaching profession.