18 candidates discuss needs of city schools
Syracuse Post-Standard
Greg Munno
October 17th, 2007
Each seeking Common Council or school board seats offers views on state of education.
Eighteen candidates for Syracuse city offices gathered Tuesday at Corcoran High School to answer questions about the state of the city's schools and what they would do to improve them.
The event was moderated by Dan Cummings, of WSYR-TV (Channel 9). Many of the questions were prepared by the event's host, Parents for Public Schools.
Here's some of what they had to say.
Council at-large:
Republican Bill Harper said he studied education in college and pledged to be "an education crusader" who would champion the schools.
Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins rejected the idea of expanding the city's residency requirement to include teachers. But he said all commuters into the city should have to pay a graduated income tax to help support services they use.
Democrat Kathleen Joy pointed to legislation she crafted that calls for all school construction to meet "green" standards.
Democrat Bill Ryan said some tension between the school board and city council was inevitable, but he felt that both had made strides in working together.
Conservative Robert Teachout said he is in favor of vouchers that would allow parents to use public money to send their children to private schools.
School board:
Democrat Nancy McCarty said that, since moving from a seat on the council to the school board, she has a better understanding of the district's needs.
Democrat Calvin Corriders said the district still has work to do in ensuring that its resources are spread equally among its schools.
Democrat Ned Deuel said charter schools pull needed resources out of the city school district, yet do not have a track record of success.
Republican Ed McLaughlin said he supports a curfew that would tie into school and social service programs.
Democrat Laurie Menkin said the board has been working to communicate better with the Common Council, but she would like to see a more substantive partnership.
1st District Council
Democrat Mike Heagerty said good schools are essential to the city's success and that he'd "do whatever it takes to make the schools better."
Republican Albert Julian pledged that, if elected, he'd return his council pay to the city in hopes that it be directed to education programs.
Conservative Kurt Schmeling said he thought a curfew would increase attendance and cut down on truancy.
3rd District Council
Maritza Alvarado said she supports the West Side Community Schools Strategy and would like to see it expanded.
Ryan McMahon said the council has borrowed more than $20 million for school projects since he's been in office. The city gave the district $700,000 more in funding this year.
Also speaking were 2nd District Councilor Pat Hogan, 4th District Councilor Tom Seals and Lance Denno, the Democratic nominee for the council's 5th District. They are unopposed.