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South Bend Redevelopment Connnission <br />Regular Meeting -March 6, 2009 <br />6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) <br />D. Airport Economic Development Area <br />(1) Discussion of New Tech High School. <br />and can teach us how. He compared it to <br />starting a franchised business. People from <br />the New Tech Foundation come here to train <br />our teachers and help start up the school. <br />They then provide ongoing support and <br />training. <br />Dr. Wilson noted that the teachers who will <br />be selected will be making a commitment to <br />spending their summer in intensive training. <br />Project based learning is already being used <br />in some of the classrooms in South Bend. <br />The New Tech Foundation supplies a library <br />of project based learning activities that we <br />can use, and we are also expected to <br />contribute to that library. <br />Mr. Varner noted that the South Bend <br />Common Council has indicated that it <br />believes the fast track to opening this August <br />short changes the community on information <br />it wants and needs. <br />Mr. Varner noted that there is a long list of <br />requests for using TIF funds to reimburse the <br />city for expenses it cannot fund under the <br />circuit breaker property tax cap. He is not in <br />favor of using TIF funds for New Tech High, <br />though he thinks the establishment of a New <br />Tech High is a good idea and hopes it can be <br />implemented and is a success. <br />Mr. Downes said that he, respectfully, takes <br />the opposite view. He cannot think of a <br />better use for tax dollars. As the <br />"Redevelopment" Commission. this body is <br />25 <br />