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Sustainability advocates present climate action plan proposing building decarbonization and curriculum changes
Summary
Sustainability advocates asked the Ithaca school board on May 27 to adopt a climate action plan calling for governance changes, building decarbonization and curriculum integration.
Representatives of the district’s Sustainability Advocates presented a draft Climate Action Plan to the Ithaca City School District Board of Education on May 27, proposing a multi-year roadmap that combines governance, operations, healthy‑schools initiatives and curricular change.
Cindy Kramer, Armin Herrick and Sarah Brumberg said the plan follows a climate resolution the board approved on June 25, 2024, and they urged the board to adopt the action plan in the coming year. “We believe we have the capacity to integrate sustainability into our education and our operations,” a presenter said, highlighting students’ interest: a November survey of Boynton eighth-graders found 96% agreed actions can be taken to slow climate change.
The advocates proposed continued benchmarking of building energy use (they cited prior Energy Star benchmarking) and an accelerated pathway to decarbonize school heating systems over about 15 years. As part of that roadmap, the group described a proposal under consideration to install ground-based heat-pump systems at Boynton and Ithaca High School simultaneously; the presenters said that change would reduce district greenhouse-gas emissions by roughly 36%.
The plan’s four components are: a governance structure (standing committees including students and community members), operations (energy efficiency, heating/cooling systems, transportation and grounds), healthy‑schools (indoor/outdoor environment, gardens, waste reduction and food systems) and education (curriculum integration, professional development and student leadership opportunities).
Board members expressed support and asked facilities staff to vet operational specifics. Board Member Jill said she offered “full support” for the concept while urging facilities staff to translate proposals into feasible projects. Another board member suggested sustainability advocates join the district’s legislative advocacy work to pursue broader community changes, such as safer walking and biking infrastructure.
Advocates asked the board to read the full plan and indicated they would return before the end of the school year to request formal adoption. No board vote was taken at the May 27 meeting.
