District overview
Ithaca City School District
How Ithaca's schools are paid for, who decides, and what is underway.
Who pays for Ithaca's schools?
Ithaca City School District covers the city of Ithaca and nearby areas in Tompkins County, with about 5,000 students. Most of its money comes from local property taxes, not the state. The 2026-27 budget is $177.6 million, and voters approved it on May 19, 2026. The tax levy rose 3.4%, below the state limit of 4.18%. District leaders say Ithaca depends on local taxes more than most nearby districts.
Taxes pay about two-thirds of the budget
For 2026-27 the district planned about $119.8 million from the tax levy (about 67.5% of revenue), roughly $42 million in state aid (about 24%), $8.5 million from savings and $7.3 million from other sources. The final levy increase was 3.4% rather than the 4.18% cap used in that plan.
Teachers and benefits are about 70% of spending
A Sept 2026 board presentation said personnel costs and benefits are about 70% of the budget. A new three-year teacher contract (July 2025 to June 2028) adds average raises of 7%, 7% and 6%, according to the district's contract page.
Building projects are paid separately by bonds
Large construction needs voter approval and is financed by bonds, with the state paying a share. Voters approved a $43.9 million project in May 2026; the district says about 58% should come back as state building aid and that debt payments stay near 7% of the budget.
Savings are healthy but retiree health costs are large
A draft 2025-26 audit presented Oct 6, 2026 shows total fund balance of $41.1 million, with the part left unassigned at the 4% legal limit. It also notes an estimated retiree health insurance liability of about $321 million.
None of this means the district is in financial trouble. The audit and board discussions describe a strong fund balance and a clean audit. The open question is how enrollment and rising salary and health costs fit together over several years.
Where the district stands
Up about 5.1% from about $169.0 million in 2025-26. Voters approved it 2,666 to 882.
State tax cap calculation was 4.18%; the district also shows a prior-year levy of about $115.0 million after a 3.76% increase.
In-district enrollment as reported by the district in its phone-policy report.
Cornell study range from a 4,817 base: a 20-27% decline. Illustrative planning figures, not a board decision.
Calculated: $177,638,041 divided by 5,027 students. It includes debt payments, BOCES services and transportation, so it is larger than classroom spending per student.
Up from $39.3 million. Draft audit as presented to the committee.
Approved May 19, 2026 with 75.43%. About 58% state aid expected (about $25.46 million), local share about $18.44 million.
Major projects
2019 Capital Project (voter-approved $120 million)
Under constructionA district-wide building program covering every school. Ithaca High School's new STEM and physics wing, the new bus loop on Lake Street and the Fall Creek playground were finished or nearly finished in summer 2026; Enfield's exterior and Boynton flooring work were also underway. About $90 million had been awarded by Nov 2025.
- Phase 3b.2 bids reviewed, total about $10.1 million, slightly under estimates
- Board approves Ithaca High School locker-room renovation from leftover project capacity
- Superintendent reports STEM wing, Lake Street parking lot and Fall Creek playground completed over the summer
Funding
2019 voter-approved bond, with state building aid
As of Nov 2025 the district said about $3.05 million of the $120 million was unallocated.
2026 Capital Project (up to $43.9 million)
Approved by voters, design aheadRoofs at Boynton, Beverly J. Martin and Caroline; science rooms at Boynton and DeWitt; fire alarms at Ithaca High and South Hill; geothermal heating and cooling at Ithaca High and Boynton; nurse suites; playgrounds; bathrooms; and electric vehicle charging.
- Board approves environmental review and bond resolutions
- Voters approve Proposition 4 with 75.43%
Funding
Bonds, with about 58% expected state building aid
District says it stays within its current 7% share of the budget for debt payments.
Enrollment decline and building planning
Study done; no decisionA Cornell study presented Jan 13, 2026 projects enrollment falling 20-27% in ten years and shows example scenarios of closing one to three elementary schools. The board has said no closure is decided. In Sept 2026 it asked for data on open enrollment, LACS and attendance zones, and it is evaluating the vacant Danby Elementary property and other district buildings.
- Cornell enrollment and building study presented
- Board directs a value opinion RFP for Danby and other district property
- Board asks for open enrollment, LACS and zoning data (5-3)
- Property valuation contract awarded; strategic planning to follow
Funding
Operating budget (studies); no building closure costs adopted
The study's savings figures ($1.6 million to $6.5 million a year) are illustrative and exclude one-time costs.
Longer school day
Planned for 2027-28The teacher contract lets the district add 30 minutes to the elementary day and 15 minutes to the secondary day. Superintendent Brown said on Oct 13, 2026 that the change is planned for 2027-28.
- Board ratifies teacher contract with the extension right
- Superintendent describes planning and community process
Funding
Operating budget
Transportation, food service and other staff group costs still need analysis and bargaining, per the superintendent.
Recent news
Figures come from the district's own budget, election and capital project pages, board meeting summaries written by the district, the 2025-26 audit presentation, and captions of the district's YouTube meeting recordings. Calculated figures are marked context. The board's agendas, minutes and policy text are on BoardDocs, which is not included here.
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