Voters in the Ithaca City School District will consider a new budget next week after rejecting the previous proposal last month. The original budget, which included an eight percent tax levy increase, was turned down by 70% of voters.
The revised budget proposes a tax levy increase of just under three percent, which many residents find more reasonable. Some voters are now more likely to support the new budget, though some remain upset about the initial proposal.
The district had a record turnout for the first vote, highlighting community concerns about the tax hike. The new budget requires a 50% majority to pass. If it fails, the district might have to adopt a contingency budget similar to this year’s, which some voters fear could impact education quality.