Norwich — Mike Murray will turn 21 this month, a milestone for any young man, but for Murray, a federal court ruling last summer will impact his immediate and long-term plans.

The Norwich resident is a student at the Norwich Transition Academy, a post-high school vocational and independent living school for students with learning disabilities. Murray works at several job sites, learning marketable skills, and attends classes on household budgets, grocery shopping, cooking, job preparation and how to clean and iron his work uniforms.

“It’s definitely helped him come out of his shell,” his mother, Tammie Murray, said. "He talks about being more independent now, which works out great. I never thought he wanted to be independent. He shows more confidence in himself, so I credit the program for that."

But Mike is not yet ready to be independent. Tammie Murray was thrilled to learn that Mike will get to attend NTA one more year, thanks to a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Charles S. Haight Jr. that said Connecticut was erroneous in ending students' eligibility at age 21.

Haight ruled the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act orders school districts to provide “free appropriate education” to students ages 18 to 21 "inclusive," meaning up to their 22nd birthday, not their 21st birthday.

With the ruling, Norwich expects NTA to boost enrollment from the current 28 students to about 40, outgrowing the cramped Hickory Street School, a converted former convent. The program will move July 1 into what is now the Case Street Early Learning Center.

“Hopefully, in another year, I can go out there and experience the real world,” Mike Murray said. “Another year offers many opportunities, doors, more experiences.”

Dream job

Murray wants to work in a gaming store, "his dream job," stocking shelves, learning exciting new games and helping customers. He lives with his parents, Tammie and Chris Murray, and his 16-year-old sister, but hopes to be able to afford and maintain an apartment.

Tammie Murray said NTA has helped Mike learn practical skills and interact with the public at his jobs at Mohegan Sun, Tamarack Lodge in Voluntown, Norwich school cafeterias and Advanced Auto Parts in Norwich.

“It helps, because it gives him stabilization,” Tammie Murray said. “He has the consistency in his life. You can learn so much from your parents, but learning it from someone else and being able to go to work is a big help.”

Murray is one of seven NTA students eligible to stay for another year if they choose, Program Director Tom Dufort said, and four have said they plan to stay. Many students graduate early if they are ready.

The move and expansion will be costly for Norwich. Director of Student Services Jamie Bender said this year's NTA budget is $471,850, with Dufort, one full-time teacher, four full-time and one part-time job coaches.

Next year's budget totals $690,875, with Dufort, two full-time teachers and eight full-time job coaches. The program now has four students from other towns, which pay the $40,000 annual tuition. Bender said the school hopes to attract more tuition students.

Without NTA, Norwich would pay for the full tuition and transportation cost to send local students to attend other programs. That would likely cost in excess of $1 million.

The spicy stuff

Dufort is looking forward to the commercial kitchen in the new school, a big improvement over the tiny kitchen they now use to prepare complex meals each week. Students tell teacher Alison Orcutt what they want to make — lasagna, chicken, tacos, burgers, pasta and salads are favorites.

Students find recipes online, and eight students shop for all classes on Monday. Students have $15 each per week for meals, supplemented by free lunches students receive at some job sites.

On cooking day, students watch videos and hit the kitchen. With social distancing, only three students can work at the three small prep stations and one stove. Orcutt and Dufort supervise as students chop, mix and cook.

“Victoria, you should cut the tomatoes for my salad,” Dufort said, admiring how student Victoria Dieujuste cut tomatoes for that day's tacos and guacamole. “Beautiful.”

Students mix up Orcutt's own special seasoning blend. They avoid the store-bought pouches, student Wendy Enslow, 19, of Norwich said, "because there’s a lot of things in it that’s not good for us.”

“I’m into the spicy stuff!” student Anthony Nagel, 20, of Killingly said.

Students take the recipes home and are urged to cook for their families.

Seeking job sites

With the expansion, NTA will be seeking more job sites as well. Two key job sites, Papa Gino's restaurant in Mansfield and Big Y Supermarket in Norwich, closed to students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dufort hopes they reopen, and other business partners join the program.

Students start at $5 an hour, paid by the school, with evaluations every six weeks and possible raises up to $7.50 per hour.

“Our goal is to provide a full complement of programming that not only includes preparing students for the world of work and independent living," Bender said, "but also for those seeking further education and experience at the college level.”

Tabatha Caruso, 18, of Preston, who enrolled last month, hopes to attend college and become a veterinary technician. Caruso admitted she was nervous when she first arrived at NTA but quickly acclimated. She has started working in the cafeterias at Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School and Teachers Global Studies Magnet Middle School.

In class, Caruso said she is learning money management, résumé writing and job interviews.

“They’re really nice here and at the places I work,” Caruso said.

Gerray Isom, 19, of Norwich looks forward to the new school and to the prospects of staying an additional year at NTA. She admitted growing up and facing the real world can be “scary," but NTA is preparing her for her dream job at a Hot Topics pop culture apparel store.

“You don’t have to be afraid, even though everything’s changing,” Isom said, “But it’s still the same. All you need to do is stay calm, be yourself and hope for the best.”

'Significant help' to employer

Three students work Thursday and Friday mornings at Advanced Auto Parts on West Main Street in Norwich. They stock products that arrived on the truck, re-shelve parts, sweep and clean. Store manager Brian Austin, who transferred to the Norwich store two months ago, praised the students.

“Putting the truck away can take a large portion of the day,” Austin said. “With their help, (employees) are able to focus more on the customers, making sure they are getting the parts they need. It has helped us significantly.”

Student Alison Black, 20, of Norwich, knelt in front of racks with dozens of tiny hanging packages of electrical clamps. She enjoys the intricate work of matching minuscule numbers on the bags with labels on the racks.

“People have a habit of putting things in the wrong place,” Black said.”

Job coach Patricia Taylor said working at Advanced Auto gives students the chance to try complicated tasks and interact with customers, showing them where an item is, or politely direct them to store staff.

About two-thirds of NTA students have jobs upon graduation, Dufort said, some with support from adult services programs. Over the past four years 63 graduates have worked at Mohegan Sun, and about 20% are still there. Others have moved on to new jobs.

He said adding a year will help many students who were short-changed by last spring's COVID-19 shutdown and continuing restrictions.

“I tell the students, this is your best opportunity,” Dufort said. “You’re never going to have this level of support, this type of group support.”

Graduates often check in with him and teacher Orcutt for advice, to update their résumés and to chat on how they’re doing.

That invitation is open-ended, Dufort said.

c.bessette@theday.com