Where We Live: Christina Kishimoto

Hartford Public Schools have been the subject of books, documentaries and national news stories...and not always cast in the most positive light.

Hartford’s has long had status as one of the poorest cities in the country - and with that has come trouble in its education system: A state takeover, an attempt at privatization, a civil-rights lawsuit, and a series of “reformers” who left the city too quick to make any real changes.

But Hartford Schools are in a time of turnaround - and the new Superinendent has been a big part of that.  Christina Kishimoto was an architect of the “school choice” plan in Hartford that included revamping high schools, and changing the way the district did business.

These changes didn’t come easy, as school leaders have gotten into skirmishes with city politicians, teachers, the media, and some parents who say they haven’t communicated enough.

Today, where we live, Christina Kishimoto joins us to talk about school choice, school reform and the Hartford turnaround.