"There's too much at stake in the schools to even consider mayoral control," school official says.
The Syracuse Common Council voted 5-4 on Monday to lease the former Syracuse Developmental Center, shown in this aerial photo, for 15 years at a cost of $28.2 million to use as temporary classrooms for up to 1,500 students. Syracuse, NY - The contentious process that led up to Syracuse council approval Monday of a $28.2-million lease for temporary classrooms at the former Syracuse Developmental Center indicates a need for mayoral control of the school district, two councilors said before the vote.
Council voted 5-4 in favor of the 15-year rental agreement, which will provide space for students displaced by major renovations at their schools.
The vote was preceded by weeks of debate over the terms of the lease, security of the deal and quality of the developers from which the district will be leasing enough space for 1,500 school children.
Before voting against the deal, Republican Councilor Ryan McMahon called on Mayor Stephanie Miner to research Rochester’s transition to mayoral control and report back to council on the findings. “Clearly the status quo is not working for this relationship,” McMahon said.
Democratic Councilor Pat Hogan echoed the statement before voting in favor of the lease. Miner and several councilors have criticized the district for not involving the city sooner in lease negotiations and “swing space” plans.
The lease passed with the same split as a preliminary vote April 26. Councilors Hogan, Kathleen Joy, Lance Denno, Tom Seals and Nader Maroun were in favor, while councilors McMahon, Jean Kessner, Bill Ryan and Matt Rayo were opposed.
School board Vice President Ned Deuel said mayoral control is a bad idea and has nothing to do with the lease agreement. The school district is financially dependent upon the city due to its size. Rochester has begun the process of seeking mayoral control, which requires state legislation.
“Mayors come and go. One mayor might want to control the schools, but the next one doesn’t,” Deuel said. “There’s too much at stake in the schools to even consider mayoral control.”
Schools Superintendent Dan Lowengard, too, dismissed the call for mayoral control, saying the district worked hard to secure a good deal for the city and a good space for students.
Beginning next year, the pupils of Dr. Weeks Elementary and H.W. Smith K-8 schools would attend classes at the former developmental center on South Wilbur Avenue. The schools would be relocated to the campus over December or February breaks, Lowengard said.
The proposed new owner, Health Consortium-USA, would pay upfront for $13 million in renovations. The state would cover 94 percent of the lease, leaving the district with a $1.83 million share over 15 years. The current owners, Syracuse Resort Development, would pay $1,325,000 in back taxes at closing.
Several councilors who had been unsure of the deal said they voted “yes” because there were no other options on the table. “There were no legitimate alternatives put forward,” said Denno, a Democrat, “and we need to get these schools renovated.”
Ryan, also a Democrat, said the district failed to properly investigate the developers and put together a deal that doesn’t pass the “sniff test.” One of the developers involved has a history that includes more than $1 million in judgments against him and a federal fraud charge that was later dismissed.
“I cannot support this based on what I see as a faulty process followed by a faulty product,” Ryan said.
Health Consortium-USA, a joint venture based in Houston and Miami, would be expected to complete renovations within six months of buying the property, Lowengard said.
Councilor Joy said the city had added enough protections to the lease for it to move forward, but cautioned the district that it should prepare an alternative in case the sale doesn’t close.
Contact Meghan Rubado at mrubado@syracuse.com or 470-3260.