Special Education Millage Renewal
On November 5, 2024, voters residing in school districts served by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District will vote on a 12-year, no tax increase Special Education Millage Renewal proposal.
6,000+
students receive special education services in Washtenaw County.
More than 6,000 students, or 1-in-7 students, from preschool through age 26 receive special education services in Washtenaw County, plus nearly 900 additional children ages birth to 3 also receive special education services before entering preschool.
37%
of funding for these mandatory services provided by state and federal sources.
Special education services required by law are not fully funded. State and federal funding provides 37% of the funds needed for mandatory special education services. Washtenaw County’s Special Education millage generates 61% of the funding that pays for special education services in local school districts and academies.
$57 million
in funding for special education services in Washtenaw County.
If the special education operating millage is not renewed, special education services in Washtenaw County would be underfunded by $57 million and school districts would need to use general operating funds to cover this shortfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Special Education is inclusive of many disabilities:
Michigan students are eligible for special education services under one of the 13 disability areas, including:
Autism
Deaf and hard of hearing
Deaf-blind disability
Early childhood developmental delay
Emotional impairment
Cognitive impairment
Severe multiple impairment
Physical impairment
Otherwise health impairment
Specific learning disability
Speech and language disability
Traumatic brain injury
Visual impairment
What is being proposed?
A 2.3826 mil renewal to cover unreimbursed costs to provide special education services in Washtenaw County. The millage would expire after 12 years.
If approved by voters, there would be no increase to tax rates.
Why is this on the ballot?
Special education services required by law are not fully funded. State and federal funding provides 37% of the funds needed for mandatory special education services. Washtenaw County’s Special Education millage generates 61% of the funding that pays for special education services in local school districts and academies.
If the special education operating millage is not renewed, special education services in Washtenaw County would be underfunded by $57 million and school districts would need to use general operating funds to cover this shortfall.
Who is impacted?
More than 6,000 students, or 1-in-7 students, from preschool through age 26 receive special education services in Washtenaw County.
Nearly 900 additional children ages birth to 3 also receive special education services before entering preschool.
Would all nine school districts and 13 public school academies in Washtenaw County benefit if this renewal is approved?
Yes! The millage renewal would continue to benefit all public school students because revenue from the millage would continue to cover most of the costs of mandatory special education services.
The millage renewal would preserve each school district’s general fund budget, which can be used for the educational needs of all students. Local districts would decide how best to use these funds.
Millage dollars stay local: Revenue from this renewal would be used to pay for services mandated for special education in: Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Lincoln, Manchester, Milan, Saline, Whitmore Lake, Ypsilanti, and Washtenaw County’s 13 public school academies.
What would the renewal cost?
The Special Education Operating Millage renewal would maintain an existing 2.3826 mil tax. If the renewal is approved, there would be no increase to tax rates.
Informational Presentation
The presentation below shares more about the impacts of the Special Education Millage on the Ypsilanti Community Schools District.