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Ithaca board moves to commission enrollment and property studies as budget pressures mount
Summary
Board members discussed commissioning two studies—enrollment projection and district real estate valuation—to identify long-term cost savings and to inform possible school consolidation or capital project planning; results are expected by the end of summer and would not affect the 2025–26 budget cycle.
Board members and staff on Jan. 14 laid out plans to commission two district studies — one on future enrollment and one on the value of district real estate — to guide discussions about long-term cost containment and possible changes in how facilities are used.
Dr. Blaylock, finance committee member, said the studies will deliver data the district lacks and that the Request for Proposals calls for results “to come back around the end of the summer.” He said the board expects to use that information starting in the fall, but that any structural changes would not be implemented in time to affect the 2025–26 budget cycle. “At this point, we're simply engaged in the data collection exercise,” Dr. Blaylock said.
Why it matters: Board members framed the studies as a way to evaluate larger, district-level options — for example, shifting enrollments, school consolidations, or other operational restructurings — rather than short-term efficiency moves. The board’s finance committee discussed options including maintaining the status quo, seeking public approval for a larger budget, or finding savings.
Details and timeline: The district expects study reports by late summer; the next finance committee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 4:30 p.m., when Tompkins County assessment director Jay Franklin will present on the assessment process and how assessment results may affect the tax levy. Dr. Blaylock said the studies are not expected to return before budget hearings for the 2025–26 year and therefore would inform decisions no earlier than the following budget season.
Capital projects and facilities planning: The meeting also included an update on owners-architect-construction-manager (OACM) coordination for capital projects. Dr. Tripp said the OACM meeting had focused on whether to pursue a capital project this year and, if so, its likely scope and cost. The board encouraged public attendance at the upcoming facilities committee meeting, which will discuss capital project options and potential costs in detail.
Board members emphasized the district’s aged building stock and the need to balance maintenance, wellness, sustainability and fiscal responsibility. Dr. Brown, superintendent, reminded listeners that state enrollment reports do not capture all students financially supported by the district, noting “there’s an additional 600 plus students” who may not appear in state attendance counts.
Next steps: Staff will proceed with the procurement process for the two studies; results are expected by the end of the summer and will be used in subsequent deliberations about facilities and long-term budgets. The facilities committee will meet Thursday at 4:45 p.m. for a capital-project discussion and the finance committee will hold its February meeting on Feb. 11 at 4:30 p.m.
