Ithaca district committee endorses $43.9 million capital project plan, eyes Dec. 9 referendum

The Ithaca City School District's combined Facilities and Finance committee heard a presentation and recommended that the full board advance a capital project with an estimated referendum cost of $43,900,000 and a tentative December 9 vote date.

Chris Glovitz, lead architect from Tetra Tech, outlined a scope that includes roof-membrane replacement at Boynton, DeWitt and Caroline; renovation of nine science rooms at Boynton and DeWitt; replacement or upgrade of older analog fire-alarm systems at Ithaca High School (two connected systems); HVAC work including geothermal studies and controls upgrades at several schools; charging infrastructure at the transportation center to support bus electrification; abatement and flooring in some buildings; wellness- and nursing-suite renovations to improve ADA compliance; playground replacements; athletics work (including gym floor refinishing and bleacher replacement); and paving/ site work (including Cayuga Heights). Glovitz said the group had tentatively suggested a Dec. 9 vote date and noted the district must meet a state notice requirement (minimum 45 days) ahead of a public referendum.

Dan Bridal, assistant superintendent of operations, and the project team described coordination steps the district will take: convening the architect (Tetra Tech), construction manager (Campus Construction Management), bond counsel and fiscal advisers to finalize cost estimates, legal notifications and communications. Presenters said the $43.9 million figure is a referendum authorization; the district would bond for the project and seek state building aid on eligible items, which presenters estimated would return roughly 58% of eligible costs as state reimbursement.

Committee members agreed to recommend the capital project and timeline to the full board for formal action, with a plan to present details and adopt required resolutions at a September board meeting so timelines and legal notifications meet state requirements. The committee emphasized that the referendum authorizes bonding capacity; specific spending and phased project execution will be managed by administration and reported back to the board.

Why it matters: The project targets multiple facility and safety concerns districtwide and would be funded through bonded debt with state aid offset; approval by voters would authorize the district to borrow for the specified improvements.

Provenance: Presentation began at 00:34:56 with introductions and schedule discussion; scope and the $43.9M referendum amount discussed at 00:47:06.