CURRICULUM
Citizens Academy consists of a series of eight weekly sessions held each fall from
5:30-8:30 p.m. at various government and community facilities throughout the city.
Locations include Syracuse City Hall, the Onondaga County Justice Center, the Metropolitan Sewage Treatment Facility, and other public and nonprofit meeting places. A light supper is provided at the start of each session to give participants a chance to relax and get to know each other.
SESSION TOPICS include:
- History and organization of local government
- Local government budget and finance
- Health and the Environment
- Community development, neighborhoods and human services
- Jobs and economic development
- Schools
- Law enforcement and public safety
- Planning, land use and transportation.
The sessions are led by local elected officials and city and county department heads who describe the workings of local government and answer questions from Citizens Academy participants.
CITIZENS ACADEMY MISSION
To improve citizens' understanding of the workings of effective government, and encourage their involvement in the community to help sustain quality of life for present and future generations.