ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Ithaca Teachers Association rallied to ask Cornell University to raise their annual contribution to the Ithaca School District on Wednesday.
Chants filled the Ithaca Commons as dozens of people rallied at the 'Make Cornell Pay' rally. As it stands, Cornell University contributes $650,000 to the Ithaca City School District annually. The Ithaca Teachers Association rallied to ask for Cornell to raise their annual contribution to $10m annually.
"When we saw the pilot with the Ithaca City increase from $1m to $4m, and then we started looking at the average taxpayers bill for their taxes, our school taxes come in higher than our city taxes, higher than our county taxes, and yet we are on the bottom as a school district in terms of those re-negotiations," said Kathryn Cernera, the president of the Ithaca Teachers Association. "So, seeing that if everyone else is paying more for their school taxes than their city taxes, then shouldn't Cornell be investing more in their school taxes than in their city taxes? And that's kind of where our numbers came from."
Various community members spoke in support of the contribution increase. They cited a $7m school school budget shortfall, Cornell's extensive ownership of Ithaca property, and Cornell's presence in the community.
"Far above Cayuga's waters, but not above shouldering responsibility for this community," said Jill Tripp, a speaker at the rally.
"I have a solution to this problem, its lower our school taxes by kicking more into the community that hosts you," said Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo.
Joel M. Malina, the Vice President for University Relations at Cornell University issued a statement in response.
“A thriving Ithaca City School District (ICSD) is vitally important to Cornell University. That is why, in addition to the more than $2.1 million Cornell pays annually to the ICSD in property taxes, Cornell voluntarily contributes $650,000 annually in unrestricted funds to ICSD, an amount pledged through 2031. Cornell’s voluntary contribution to ICSD is one component of Cornell’s financial expenditures – totaling more than $30 million per year – that benefit the City of Ithaca and surrounding communities. Cornell’s significant non-monetary support for ICSD also includes the many programs and other educational opportunities that the university provides for ICSD students, and the chilled water provided to ICSD property on Lake Street from our Lake Source Cooling system.”