Minch delived this memo to each member of the Common Council before their meeting to decide the fate of Central Tech High School. He fully supports the creation of a fifth City High School.
From the Desk of Auditor Minch Lewis: Central Tech High School - August 20, 2001
Today, the City of Syracuse has the opportunity to take a step towards significantly improving the quality of our urban education. The Common Council agenda includes legislation that will establish a fifth high school for the City. The Career and Technical High School will provide hundreds of students from Syracuse and the surrounding towns with desirable skills that will ensure their success in the future.
As City Auditor, I have reviewed the project and found that:
- The project will benefit the City and surrounding communities by providing a formal educational alternative for many youth
- The NYS Education Department has issued a letter stating that the Career Tech High School will be eligible for Building Aid.
- The project will include the relocation Central Administrative offices from the former Washington-Irving School building.
- Relocating the administrative offices of the District will be the first step in consolidating City and School District departments.
- The Career Tech High School will open many doors for cooperation with the business community, including an avenue to more jobs and related economic development.
- The benefits of the project will extend beyond its use as an educational facility. Lincoln Auditorium will increase our inventory of performing arts facilities.
- The property tax issue should not be allowed to cause any further delays. The City is negotiating the price of the Central Tech facilities and the amount of the unpaid taxes. The benefits of the project greatly outweigh the incremental tax revenue the City might receive from prolonged negotiations.
Based upon my review, I have concluded that:
Career Tech High School will play an integral role in future efforts to maintain and increase the retention rates for the S.C.S.D.
- First, the implementation of a skills-based educational program recognizes that different students learn best in different environments through different instructional methods.
- Second, the smaller size of classes at the Career Tech High School will give its students the special attention that so many students need to succeed.
- By providing practical skills and individual attention, these students are more likely to learn more efficiently, complete their secondary studies, and increase their employability.
In addition to the benefits for the enrolled students, the entire Central New York region will benefit immensely from the fifth high school.
- First, the survival and growth of our regional economy is dependent upon the availability and development of a strong group of skilled workers. Central Tech will provide a perpetual source of these laborers and serve as a link between the School District and the business community.
- Second, if marketed effectively, the Lincoln Auditorium will serve as a cultural center for residents from across the county, young and old alike.
- Third, the partnership that will be formed between the county and the city will serve as the foundation for consolidation between the City and the School District, and as a model for consolidation between the City and the County.
For these reasons, I recommend that the proposed project be approved immediately.