Voters Invited to Special Education Millage Info Sessions
Ann Arbor, Mich – Ahead of the November election, the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) is welcoming residents of its constituent districts to learn more about the special education millage renewal proposal on the ballot.
“With every 1-in-7 students receiving special education services in Washtenaw County, this millage would touch every single public school and every single classroom in our community,” stated WISD Superintendent Naomi Norman. “We know many people already have their absentee ballots and are researching the proposals. We want voters to know that because this is a renewal, there would be no increase to any tax rates if it is approved.”
Voters residing in the nine school districts served by the WISD will vote on a 12-year special education millage renewal proposal that, if approved, would generate approximately $57 million annually for special education services without increasing tax rates. School districts served by WISD are the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Chelsea School District, Dexter Community Schools, Lincoln Consolidated Schools, Manchester Community Schools, Milan Area Schools, Saline Area Schools, Whitmore Lake Public Schools, and Ypsilanti Community Schools.
In addition to providing special education services for more than 6,000 students from preschool through age 26, nearly 900 children ages birth to three also receive special education services prior to entering preschool.
The WISD is offering a combination of in-person and virtual information sessions:
- Thursday, October 10 at 4:00 p.m. (register here) - Held at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District located at 1819 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI
- Thursday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom webinar (register here)
- Monday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m. (register here) - Held at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District located at 1819 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI
“If the renewal is not passed, federal and state-mandated special education services in Washtenaw County would be underfunded by approximately $57 million, which means local school districts would need to use general funds to cover this shortfall,” continued Superintendent Norman. “We want every voter to have the facts about this millage and hope they will join us at an information session.”
The WISD special education proposal will be on the November 5, 2024, ballot. Voters can learn more about the special education millage renewal at www.washtenawisd.org/SpecialEdRenewal.