Thank you for agreeing to complete our petition. Your information, along with that of others, will be submitted to the Syracuse City School District and Superintendent's Office, Mayor's Office, Common Council, Governor Paterson, & our local and NY State Legislators/Senators in an effort to prevent cuts to education that will be devastating for our school, as well as other schools across New York State. 

Petition Summary and Background: 

New York State's financial crisis has led to a reduction in State Aid for our local school budget and as such, the Syracuse City School District is dealing with major fiscal challenges. At a minimum, this impacts our children in the following ways:

1. Proposed cuts to teacher's positions, along with the impending closing of Levy School, will potentially lead to increasing class sizes of up to 28 students in the primary grades and 32 in the upper elementary grades. This would make it difficult for Ed Smith, as well as other schools in the Syracuse City School District, to provide quality inclusive education services to vital and valuable members of our student body.

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2. Increasing class size would limit the potential for all students to thrive academically, socially and emotionally and conflicts with the Syracuse City School District's focus "To improve achievement for ALL students". (Student Focus Areas, SCSD)

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3. Given obvious space constraints, increasing class size would make it difficult for our teachers, administrators, and the Syracuse City School District "To provide safe, clean, civil and orderly learning environments" (Student Focus Areas, SCSD) for our students.

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4. The proposed reduction in funding to Say Yes to Education runs counter to efforts aimed at keeping families from leaving the area and moving to suburban schools or transferring to private schools. While test scores have been on the rise, the potential loss of some of our best teachers and achieving students could threaten much of the progress seen in recent years.

Action Petitioned For: 

We, the underscored, as concerned members & supporters of the Ed Smith K-8 School Community and/or residents of the City of Syracuse, respectfully petition the Syracuse City School District and Superintendent's Office, Mayor's Office, Common Council, Governor Paterson, & local and NY State Legislators/Senators to eliminate cuts to education and re-allocate funding responsibly and efficiently to our schools so that our children are provided with the fair, equitable and academically enriching education to which they are entitled.