School re-fit one step closer to reality, but not without concern

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University.  View the original story.)


Photos by Matt Porter

Lease passes crucial Common Council vote

By a 5-4 margin, councilors approved the 28 million dollar lease of the Syracuse Developmental Center. The school district plans to relocate 1,500 students there to make way for renovations at H.W. Smith School (K-8) and Dr. Weeks Elementary.

The lease represents the first major step for city-wide renovations of schools since the city established the Joint Schools Construction Board in April, 2004.

Critics say school district didn't do enough

The lease deal remains a concern, mostly because it is currently the city's one and only option for space.

"You go to city hall with no Plan B, no Plan C," said retired teacher Bob Gardino, now a member of Parents for Public Schools in Syracuse, "I mean in the vernacular of the street, that just sucks."

Councilwoman Kathleen Joy, who voted yes for the bill, said she and the rest of the council had to work hard researching the parties involved after a Post-Standard investigation revealed questionable backgrounds involving participants in the lease.

"The school district didn't do that, newspapers had to," said Joy.

School district public relations officer Mike Henesey said the district looked at 13 possible sites during a two year period. According to Henesey, the SDC site was the only feasible site to hold all students and meet state education standards.

Current concerns and challenges ahead

The concerns aired by the council, mayor's office, and parents include:

• The current owner, Syracuse Resort Development, Inc., to pay 1.325 million dollars in back taxes. The owner provided documentation to the council promising to do this.
• The property needs to be sold within two weeks to it's new owner, Health Consortium USA. The council inserted an out clause if this does not happen.
• One of the partners for Health Consortium, USA is Maurice Hoo. Maurice Hoo has a questionable record according to the Post-Standard, including being the subject of an F.B.I. investigation for fraud. Other partners at Health Consortium say Hoo's role will be limited and he will not control the funds or renovations.
• Parents remain concerned about the bus transportation to the SDC which is on the west side of Syrause. Both schools slated for renovation are on Syracuse's east side.

Click Here to Hear the Story