METCO CEO Candace Sumner addresses Concord-Carlisle School Committee, honors student ambassadors

METCO leaders and student ambassadors were recognized at the Concord-Carlisle School Committee meeting, where Candace Sumner — introduced as the new METCO president and chief executive officer — described her personal METCO experience and laid out a vision of removing barriers and expanding support for students.

"I am Candace Sumner. I am the new METCO president and CEO," Sumner said, describing her path as a METCO alum and her commitment to anti-racism, belonging and expanding opportunity. She thanked staff and students and said she was "honored and excited and humbled and empowered to serve" in the role.

Lindsay Fernando, who identified herself as the director overseeing the high-school METCO program, summarized program structure and outcomes: METCO is in its third year of a student-lead ambassador program, the district serves roughly 112 METCO students across K–12 (about 73 in K–8 and 31 at CCHS in the numbers presented), and staff are focused on ensuring METCO students access honors and AP coursework (the presentation cited 51 instances of honors enrollment and seven AP enrollments). Fernando described weekly grade reviews and class observations as part of academic supports.

Solange Benjamin (METCO medical director) highlighted student progress at the middle-school level and program engagement, and committee members and student representatives praised the multicultural food fest, affinity-group work and student leadership. One committee member voiced concern that METCO enrollment numbers had dipped in later grades and asked about outreach to sustain cohort size; staff said they are actively recruiting and accepted a fourth-grade student recently.

Committee members thanked METCO staff and volunteers and encouraged continued partnership; the chair asked staff to share presentation materials with the committee for reference. The recognition included student awards and a group photo.