ITHACA, N.Y. — Administrators from the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) presented a list of pending and implemented budget cuts to Board of Education members during a special voting meeting Tuesday night.
The fiscal impact of that smaller budget — and how district leaders choose to allocate it — continues to become more apparent as the start of the school year draws nearer.
Tuesday night’s presentation represents one of the more comprehensive lists of budget cuts from the district since the current budget was finalized in June.
In addition to other budget cuts, such as the elimination of two foreign language programs and a college preparatory program, the district will also do away with “extended day” programs at all its elementary schools, cut some art and music programming, reduce hours for some teachers and student support staff and eliminate some positions altogether.
Many student-facing cuts, administrators said, were tied to changing enrollment numbers. ICSD, like other semi-rural school districts, have seen a gradual decline in enrollment over the past few years.
Extended day programs, which offer before- and after-school care, were part of the plan to improve performance at some of ICSD’s lower performing schools, like Enfield and Beverly J. Martin elementary schools.
Such programs tend to be utilized most by families in which one or both parents cannot get off work at 2 p.m., when the elementary school day ends.
Tuesday’s meeting brought new information to light about impacts that will affect the district’s youngest students, in particular. Among other changes, there will be one fewer pre-kindergarten class, 17 fewer elementary school class sections and hours reductions for several elementary school special education teachers and a Spanish language teacher.
Board members also restored funding for a previously eliminated administrative position: one of three members of the district’s communications team. The decision, which was part of a routine voting item on recommended personnel changes, passed unanimously and with little discussion.
Tuesday’s presentation stated that the district is still on track to eliminate 22% of its administrative staff and will reduce other costs, such as district issued cell phones.
Since the revised budget was finalized, two of the district’s top administrators have announced their resignations. Former Deputy Superintendent Lily Talcott, once the fourth highest paid employee, will not be replaced. It is unclear yet whether Chief Business Officer Amanda Verba’s position will remain vacant when she departs her role later this month. Verba was ICSD’s second highest paid employee in 2023.
The changes come after voters rejected the initially proposed 2024-2025 school budget during elections in May. The failed budget would have increased overall spending by 6.1% and would have resulted in tax increases for virtually all Ithaca property owners.
ICSD leaders maintain the failed budget largely would not have added new spending programs, only maintained existing programs. The district has repeatedly cited rising costs and contractually obligated wage increases as the primary factors driving budget growth.
Voters later approved a pared down budget that increased spending by 2.8% over the previous school year. Some property owners will still see increases to their tax bill, though any increases are set to be smaller compared to the initial budget.