For many years, Hartford Public Schools (HPS) have diverted funds slated for the renovation of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School (MLK) in Hartford’s North End. Beset by years of disinvestment, CAC began working with parents and staff from MLK in April 2016 when they discovered that HPS was relocating the students to the basement of another school during the long anticipated renovations. However, just weeks before the start of summer break, parents and CAC organizers learned that HPS diverted the funds once again and cancelled renovations.
Students, their families, and school staff sprang into action when they realized that despite cancelled renovations HPS still scheduled the basement relocation, effectively closing MLK and warehousing the students without a long-term plan.
Parents and teachers unanimously voted to remain at MLK until there was a better plan in place. However, after numerous negotiations with HPS, it became clear that the move was inevitable without a public action.
On June 1, 2016, CAC, parents, students, teachers, and community members held a press conference that clearly laid out the injustice against these students. On June 14, just two weeks later, the Superintendent of HPS called a meeting to inform parents and CAC organizers that the school would remain open! With CAC’s help, the parents have tasted the power of organizing and vowed to continue the fight for what is best for North End students.
Almost a year to the day of winning the campaign to keep MLK open, the City of Hartford, Hartford Public Schools, and the State of CT Department of Education announced that MLK was back online for renovations slated to begin in 2018. Read more.
