๐โจ Across the district, we have been celebrating our graduates! ๐๐
Today marks the last day of school for students, and our seniors are ready to graduate! LACS and IHS will both hold their ceremonies today.
Congratulations to all of our graduates and their families! We are so incredibly proud of your accomplishments. For those moving on from the district, you will always have a home with your ICSD family. ๐๐
8 days ago, ICSD Communications
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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 communityโs needs in mind, while also upholding our commitments to high-quality education for all.
Through strategic, priority-based reductionsโincluding articulating a clear focus on ELA, math, and inclusion, decreasing administrative labor costs, and pausing on filling vacant positionsโwe 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 โCapital Reserve,โ 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 Letโs 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.
15 days ago, ICSD Communications
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.
20 days ago, ICSD Communications
20 days ago, ICSD Communications
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.
23 days ago, ICSD Communications
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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 โCapital Reserve,โ 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 28 days ago, ICSD Communications
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.
28 days ago, ICSD Communications
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!
2 months ago, ICSD Communications
On March 28, DeWitt Middle School held their talent show, "A Night Under the Stars". Talent shows encourage self-expression and self-motivation, build and develop self-confidence, and can play an important role in children's development. Way to go, performers! Thank you to our community for supporting them.
3 months ago, ICSD Communications
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 4 months ago, ICSD Communications
Donโt forget! Winter Recess begins tomorrow, December 22, and lasts through January 2. Wishing our ICSD community a safe and enjoyable break! โ๏ธ
6 months ago, ICSD Communications
Steve Williams, Farm-to-Table teacher at DeWitt Middle School, is doing incredible work! ๐ Read our newest article on how DeWittโs students are growing food and growing community through local collaborations, community service, and a foundation in Black and Indigenous history, culture, and cuisine:
https://www.ithacacityschools.org/article/1385493 7 months ago, ICSD Communications
7 months ago, ICSD Communications
7 months ago, ICSD Communications
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!
7 months ago, ICSD Communications
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 8 months ago, ICSD Communications
In observance of Veterans Day, the ICSD will be closed on Friday, November 10.
8 months ago, ICSD Communications
Everyone had a frightfully good time at DeWitt Middle Schoolโs Halloween Orchestra Concert earlier this week! ๐๐ป
8 months ago, ICSD Communications
8 months ago, ICSD Communications
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!
8 months ago, ICSD Communications