The Ithaca City School District Board of Education on Sept. 30 approved the creation of an advisory council to develop and refine a proposed climate action plan for the district.

Motion and vote: Board member Adam moved to approve the creation of the advisory council on climate action; Jacob seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Purpose and membership: The ad hoc advisory council will include board members, district staff, sustainability advocates, students and other community stakeholders. Advocates said the committee will first examine the plan’s goals and timeframe, then return to the board with recommended actions and implementation steps.

Funding and next steps: Sustainability advocates told the board they had recently learned a Department of Energy grant appears likely to fund a Tetra Tech building evaluation and an educational component tied to plan implementation. Committee proponents asked for a short-term schedule of three to four meetings to examine plan components and to center student voice.

Why it matters: Board adoption of an advisory council starts a formal process to convert a broad climate-resolution intent into concrete projects and budgets. The council will assess costs, timelines and educational programming before recommending specific actions.

Ending: Board members invited volunteers and said they expect to name members and set an initial meeting schedule after administrative follow-up.