The John C. Clark, Jr. School was accepted into the Commissioner’s Network, a decision that places it alongside the Jumoke Honors Academy at Milner, née Core Knowledge Academy at Milner, née Thirman L. Milner School, née Vine Street School. At Monday’s Board of Education meeting — a rescheduling of what should have taken place last Tuesday — it was also announced that Mille Soto and Lakeisha McFarland, both vocal members of the Clark School’s PTO and SGC, would be on the Conditional Turnaround School Committee.
America’s Choice at SAND School, née SAND Elementary School, was rejected by the Commissioner’s Office. It was said that there would be aggressive application on behalf of SAND for a “School Improvement Grant.” SAND, like Milner, had been previously redesigned. The hand-picked principal at the time, Desi Nesmith, was recognized for his work at improving the school. In 2010, there were glowing reports about the improvements being seen at SAND. That year, $25.7 million got split among Connecticut’s 23 “lowest performing” schools; seven of these schools were in Hartford and SAND was listed among them. And then, just before Christmas break in 2010, Nesmith resigned from his position. According to sources close to the situation, Nesmith was forced out; however, neither this nor the rapid turnover of principals at SAND since are up for discussion, according to Superintendent Kishimoto.