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Hartford’s Martin Luther King Jr. School to remain open for 2016-2017 year

HARTFORD — Despite more budget cuts and no renovations, Martin Luther King Jr. School in Hartford will remain open for the 2016-2017 year while the city w...
Martin Luther King School Hartford

HARTFORD -- Despite more budget cuts and no renovations, Martin Luther King Jr. School in Hartford will remain open for the 2016-2017 year while the city works out a long-term plan for the district, including the nearly 100-year-old school.

After much talk and even protesting by parents, teachers and community leaders, Hartford Superintendent of Schools Beth Schiavino-Narvaez is keeping the school open, with a few stipulations:

  • There will be three security guards in the building to ensure safety in the large facility.
  • A comprehensive facility and grounds assessment will be conducted on June 20 to review safety and security measures at the school.
  • There will be comprehensive training of all staff on security protocols before the start of the next school year.

Natalie Langlaise, a parent who's worked hard to have her voice heard, said she was thrilled to hear the good news from Narvaez before it was announced publicly. According to Langlais, Narvaez said to her that "we've been hearing what you've been saying and so a decision has been made not to close the school."

"My singular focus is and always will be on our students and ensuring an environment where our children can learn and thrive," Narvaez said during the public announcement.

The school, built in the 1920's,has needed a facelift for many years but those improvement were never made due to budget cuts and the work doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon.

An area of main concern is with the boiler system, which can fail at any time. If that happens, or there are other facility related issues, there may be a need for an emergency relocation of students during the school year.

The original plan was to move the more than 350 students to the basement of a nearby school while work was being done but that was met with criticism saying that is an unfair option for students.

So for now, school at MLK in Hartford will be in session this coming fall.

Langlaise added she's confident everything will work out. "Personally, I believe the people keep the building alive and if we vacate that building it will just crumble."

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