Beverly J. Martin Elementary

Today, Tuesday, June 18, the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) community will be presented with a new 2024-2025 budget adopted by the Board of Education. The re-vote budget is $163,012,098, and the proposed levy increase of 2.92 percent is below the state tax cap. We are grateful for the significant community engagement this budget season, and with the valuable input shared, we are presenting a new budget that keeps our community’s needs in mind, while also upholding our commitments to high-quality education for all. Through strategic, priority-based reductions—including articulating a clear focus on ELA, math, and inclusion, decreasing administrative labor costs, and pausing on filling vacant positions—we developed a budget that is $5.9 million less than the one originally proposed on May 21. The re-vote budget will require 50% voter approval. Also on the re-vote ballot will be Proposition 2, which the Board voted to amend on May 28, reducing the original request of $3.2 million by half to $1.6 million. The amended proposition asks voters to authorize the district to purchase up to two electric buses, only with rebates to defray costs, two ultra-low emission propane buses with wheelchair-accessible lifts, and three passenger vehicles. Proposition 2 is not taken from the General Fund but rather from a savings account called “Capital Reserve,” which can only be used for bus purchases. The district has already secured a rebate through the EPA 2023 Clean School Bus (CBS) Rebates in the amount of $800,000, which can be immediately used to defray the cost of the two electric buses. For more information on Proposition 2 visit: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/o/icsd/page/2024-prop-2 Polls will be open on June 18 from 12 noon until 9 p.m. Please continue to reach out directly or provide suggestions and feedback via Let’s Talk: ithacacityschools.org/letstalk. For more details on the June 18 Budget Re-Vote, including propositions and district poll site locations, visit ithacacityschools.org/vote. Together, we can engage, educate, and empower all learners in the ICSD.

The ICSD Board of Education will meet today for a Facilities Committee Work Session at 5:00 p.m. On the agenda: E-Bus Presentation, Sustainability Presentation, and a progress report on the district's capital project work. Following, there will be Finance Committee Work Session at 6:30 p.m. On the agenda: Re-vote revenue and re-vote proposed budgeted expenditures line-by-line. Those who wish to attend may do so in person at IHS York Hall or tune in on Zoom. For more information, please visit ithacacityschools.org/board.

ICSD's Deputy Superintendent, Lily Talcott, and Chief Operations Officer, Amanda Verba, join WSKG to discuss the upcoming budget re-vote. Polls will be open on June 18 from 12 noon until 9 p.m. Please continue to reach out directly or provide suggestions and feedback via Let’s Talk: ithacacityschools.org/letstalk. For more details on the June 18 Budget Re-Vote, including propositions and district poll site locations, visit ithacacityschools.org/vote. Listen here: https://www.wskg.org/2024-06-12/ithacas-school-budget-was-rejected-by-voters-heres-whats-been-cut-in-their-latest-proposal?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1INBzs3M4BZUwtYKEfnCz3P2yzxt-DyC8GknDw4tK35t6l0eYjywwNfJI_aem_AfZCS5GxLeEJVITDCZqyW-DJAE5LbsvtQdJ6iaq38W5jHzQkZLl0vUoGW6GwsItkNpXOiZTXDDSs1l85HVOmFqhM

Please join us tonight, June 10, at the Southside Community Center at 5:30 p.m. for a community conversation about the new proposed budget. The ICSD will hold the budget re-vote on Tuesday, June 18. Polls will be open from 12-9 p.m. For more information, including district polling locations and absentee and early mail ballot applications, visit ithacacityschools.org/vote.

The Ithaca City School District (ICSD) was notified that its application for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebates was selected for funding in the amount of $800,000. The reserved funds are for four new electric buses, eligible infrastructure, and other eligible expenses to be used over the course of two years. On June 18, residents of the ICSD will head back to the polls to vote on a new budget and an amended Proposition 2, which will ask voters to authorize the district to purchase up to two electric buses, only with rebates to defray costs, two ultra-low propane buses with wheelchair-accessible lifts, and three passenger vehicles. Notably, Proposition 2 was reduced from $3.2 million to $1.6 million. Proposition 2 is not taken from the General Fund but rather from a savings account called “Capital Reserve,” which can only be used for bus purchases. Every year, the district replaces buses that have aged out of the fleet and need to be taken off of the road as well as other vehicles that support students and facilities. Check out the news story to learn more: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/article/1632589

On Monday, the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Board of Education voted to approve a new budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 in the amount of $163,012,098, a 2.79% increase over the current year (below the state tax cap of 2.9%). This is $5.9 million reduction to the budget proposed on May 21. Please join us this Friday, June 7, at the Enfield Community Center at 4:30 p.m. for a community conversation about the new proposed budget. The ICSD will hold the budget re-vote on Tuesday, June 18. Polls will be open from 12-9 p.m. For more information, including district polling locations and absentee and early mail ballot applications, visit ithacacityschools.org/vote.

This morning, BJM students in the band and orchestra delivered an exciting performance for their classmates and families! The repertoire included everything from classics like "Hot Cross Buns" (BJM style) to the rock anthem "We Will Rock You," and even featured an original composition. Thank you to everyone who came out to support these talented kids and celebrate their hard work!

This year's Budget Vote and School Board Election will be held on Tuesday, May 21. Polls will be open from 12 noon until 9 p.m. To check your polling location and learn more about early mail and absentee ballots, visit ithacacityschools.org/vote!

Last week, students at LACS and DeWitt Middle School shared part of their day with Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, and Melinda Person, President of New York State United Teachers. The day fostered collaboration and celebration of the shared commitment to educational excellence and served to highlight the way our educators incorporate hands-on, real-life skills like cooking, interpersonal relationship-building, and student self-care into the curriculum. Read more about it here: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/article/1501987

Don’t forget! Winter Recess begins tomorrow, December 22, and lasts through January 2. Wishing our ICSD community a safe and enjoyable break! ❄️

Reminder: Starting TOMORROW, December 1, all ICSD students will receive free breakfast and lunch for the remainder of the school year! Learn more here: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/article/1337258

Did you check out our November e-Insider? Find the link here! https://mailchi.mp/icsd/icsd-e-insider-november-2023-2

Reminder: No school November 22-24 for Thanksgiving Recess. School will resume on Monday, November 27. We hope you have a safe and restful break!

Great news! Beginning on December 1, all students in the ICSD will be eligible to receive a free healthy breakfast and lunch at school. This will continue throughout the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year. Read more here: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/article/1337258

In observance of Veterans Day, the ICSD will be closed on Friday, November 10.

A community message from the ICSD Board of Education and Superintendent is available now: https://www.ithacacityschools.org/article/1318822

ICSD Transportation is revamping its safety training with hands-on workstations that include pre-trip inspections, wheelchair training including loading and unloading, tail swing, and mirror adjustments. We strive for the absolute safety of our students and staff and plan to keep working to make our training the best around!

National School Bus Safety Week is here! 🚌 🚌 Safety is a team effort! Students, families, staff, and other drivers all play an important role in keeping safe around school buses. Here are some important safety tips: ➡️ Arrive at your stop at least five minutes early and stand on the sidewalk/ at least six feet from the road. ➡️ Board the bus one at a time, hold the handrail, and take a seat! ➡️ Stay seated at all times, and keep the aisle clear. ➡️ Listen to the bus driver/bus aide at all times. ➡️ When exiting the bus, use the handrails, and wait for the driver’s signal before crossing the road. #SchoolBusSafetyWeek

This week is National School Lunch Week! 🥗🌭 School cafeterias, food preparation staff, and the entire Child Nutrition department all play a critical role in providing students with healthy meals every day. This year, our partnership with the Park Foundation and Chef Ann Foundation helps us to invest in our local community to feed our children with fresh, sustainable, healthy food.

Welcome back, ICSD! Here's to a brand new year of beginnings, friendships, learning, and growing. Let's make this year the best one yet! #teamicsd #icsdproud #backtoschool