Ithaca school board reviews $43M facilities plan; staff authorized to prepare referendum materials

The Ithaca City School District board on Tuesday discussed a proposed multi-year capital project, including roofing replacements, fire alarm upgrades, HVAC work, science-classroom renovations and other deferred-maintenance work, and directed staff to prepare the resolutions and referendum materials needed to bring a public vote before the board later this fall.

The plan under discussion would seek voter authorization to borrow in the low‑tens of millions per year across multiple phases; presenters described a draft authorization figure in the low $40 millions (variously discussed as about $43.5 million to $43.9 million) and said any borrowing would be phased over several years so the district would not issue the entire authorization at once. "We're targeting a December 9 public vote date," said Chris, the district's construction manager, as he reviewed schedule options.

The board heard detail on major components: roofing work at Boynton, BJM and Caroline schools; replacement of aging fire-alarm systems at Ithaca High School and South Hill so first responders can pinpoint alarms more quickly; science-room casework and gas-system…