Capitol Region Education Council

Careers at CREC CREC works to recruit, develop, and retain employees who are passionate about meeting the needs of children, adults, and families in the Capitol Region. The agency seeks innovative, energetic, and dedicated people who are committed to our mission-driven work. At CREC, a diverse staff of more than 3,000 work hard to achieve dramatic results while keeping the best interests of children and families in mind. Professional development is provided to all employees to ensure that CREC staff, regardless of their position, remain in the forefront of their field of work. Known for its forward-looking approach to education, CREC looks for individuals who are not afraid to generate divergent ideas, try new approaches, and lead by example. We want critical thinkers and doers – employees who will work as part of the CR CREC Provides Ongoing professional development workshops for educators High-quality educational programs for grades PreK-12 through eighteen interdistrict magnet schools School construction, operations and facilities services Customized educational programming in the public school districts it serves Cooperative purchasing and other business services Specialized educational programs and facilities for students with hearing impairments, special needs and a variety of other physical and behavioral challenges Preschool and care programs for infants and their families Innovative partnership programs that help adults develop real, job-ready skills now CREC Accomplishments Regularly serves 35 member districts (36 towns) in Greater Hartford Reaches additional towns/districts through a number of statewide services and programs Assists more than 150,000 students each year Offers more than 120 programs Manages more than 20 facilities in nearly a dozen towns, including eighteen interdistrict magnet schools Background CREC began as a grassroots organization of local school districts working together to solve common problems. It is one of six Regional Educational Service Centers (RESCs) established under Connecticut General Statute 10-66 a-n, which permits local boards of education to establish a RESC as a "public educational authority" for the purpose of "cooperative action to furnish programs and services." Such intermediate units – that are smaller than state departments of education, yet larger than local school districts – are used to deliver services in about 40 states. Funding CREC is supported by local, state, federal and private funds. Local school districts become members of CREC with an annual fee of 20 cents per pupil. Each CREC program is discretely funded with a budget that completely supports its operation and contributes a proportionate share to CREC’s overall management and development. Leadership The governing Council of CREC is comprised of one representative from each of the 35 school districts in the Capitol Region. The representatives come from each district’s publicly elected board of education to form the CREC Council and to make policy decisions. The Council elects a 10-person Board of Directors representing small, medium and large districts. The Board meets monthly as part of the Council, with an announced agenda that includes policy, programmatic, personnel and fiscal items. The control of the Capitol Region Education Council rests squarely at the local level. Greg Florio has served as CREC’s Executive Director since 2016. Prior to working at CREC, Dr. Florio led the Cheshire Public Schools for 24 years, including 12 years as Superintendent of Schools and 12 years as Assistant Superintendent. In Cheshire, Dr. Florio was responsible for major initiatives to improve educational opportunities for students, including the implementation of full-day kindergarten; the development and implementation of the performance standards at all grade levels; major technology improvements across the school district; and the use of Cheshire’s strategic plan to serve as a catalyst for school improvement and the alignment of district stakeholders behind a shared vision.

Connecting People and Resources for Quality Education Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), working with and for its member districts, has developed a wide array of cost-effective and high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in the Capitol Region. Vision Every student can and shall learn at high levels and, therefore, must have access to all educational resources within the region through the system of public schools served by CREC. Mission To work with boards of education of the Capitol Region to improve the quality of public education for all learners. In order to achieve its mission, CREC will: Promote cooperation and collaboration with local school districts and other organizations committed to the improved quality of public education Provide cost-effective services to member districts and other clients Listen and respond to client needs for the improved quality of public education Provide leadership in the region through the quality of its services and its ability to identify and share quality services of its member districts and other organizations committed to public education Core Values Trust: Built on personal integrity, and forthright and ethical communication Leadership: Born of wisdom, experience, tenacity and courage Diversity: Striving to promote social justice through our programs and our actions Quality: Through a culture of continuous improvement Collaboration: By partnering with our 35 member districts, area agencies, and by maintaining collegiality within our divisions, programs and staff

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