July 28, 2026 — A seismic shift for Ithaca's school board after years in the making
Episode notes
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If you don’t have kids, you may not think about the school board — or its internal politics — very often. But the school board’s impact goes way beyond the classroom.
In Ithaca, the school board has more influence on a property tax bill — and by extension, housing costs — than any other elected body. Take a look at a property tax bill of a homeowner in the Ithaca City School District, and it’s clear the district’s taxes rate are significantly higher than those of either Tompkins County or the City of Ithaca.
The Ithaca City School District’s Board of Education just started their new term. And already, it’s looking like there’s a major shift in the balance of power.
Editor's note: The cover art uses a photo depicting the 2025-2026 Ithaca City School District's Board of Education, not the current board.
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Original air date: July 28, 2026
Produced and reported by Megan Zerez
Hosted by Jimmy Jordan
Cover photo by Fernando Figueroa