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Construction manager shows progress on high school STEM additions; district emphasizes maintenance focus
Summary
Facilities & Finance Committee heard a construction progress report and an outreach update for a maintenance‑focused capital project that includes STEM classroom renovations, switchable glazing, new casework and playground repairs; staff said most elements are deferred‑maintenance rather than 'bells and whistles.'
Travis Randall, with Campus Construction Management Group, told the Ithaca City School District Facilities & Finance Committee that construction on the high school STEM additions is advancing and is on track for turnover before the end of June. He showed photos of exterior brickwork, temporary storefront openings, interior aluminum curtain‑wall framing with newly installed electrochromatic (switchable) glazing, student lockers, casework and a physics classroom equipped with a fume hood and safety fixtures.
"The roof is on," Randall said, adding that some soffit and finish work remain but are scheduled for completion prior to turnover. The presentation emphasized interior finishes being installed now, including student workstations and display cases leading into the STEM area.
Katie Hart, the district's public information specialist, outlined the outreach tied to the capital project: postcards mailed in February, three community conversations held so far and three more planned, lobby screen slides with QR codes to the project website, social media posts and a newsletter the district plans to mail in mid‑April. "We've hosted three of the community conversations so far," Hart said, and staff are finalizing a four‑page newsletter and talking points for building leaders.
Board members and staff discussed how to make community conversations more accessible, including offering a hybrid option for a lunchtime session. Staff said they had added more photos to presentations in response to requests from earlier meetings and that resident questions had focused on roofs, science‑classroom cabinetry and the tax impact of the project.
Staff also relayed technical questions raised about Lake Source Cooling and Cornell's role: according to staff, Cornell had wanted to expand the lake‑source cooling project but a state permitting action blocked that expansion, which required the district to pivot on some geothermal options.
Committee members pushed back against describing the package as discretionary spending. One member asked whether elements were "bells and whistles," and a board member replied that the work is mostly deferred maintenance: updated science cabinetry and lab gas access were framed as instructional necessities rather than luxuries. The discussion also flagged the $43.9 million project figure raised by community members and board members as a point that can concern taxpayers; staff said borrowing affects debt service, credit ratings and long‑term maintenance liabilities.
The construction update and outreach work will continue as staff prepare for further community sessions and the district moves toward decisions about the capital project proposal that will be presented to voters.
