Some state and local leaders today applauded a task force recommendation to keep vocational schools state-run, instead of transferring control to local districts.

That task force studied the state's 16 technical schools last year when state officials said they were considering turning over control to local school districts.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch said they were happy to keep control of the technical schools in the current system. They added in an unrelated event today that the task force made the right decision.

The task force also recommended that the system set up a group separate from the state Board of Education to oversee the system's superintendent.