Investment Priorities
We are grateful for the community’s investment in students through the CTE millage. We are committed to using these funds responsibly, transparently, and in alignment with the purposes outlined to voters.
As a county, we are approaching this work through two lenses:
- In the short term, how can we eliminate or reduce barriers to access CTE programs immediately to address the growing needs and student demand?
- In the long term, how can we collaborate to build a cohesive, strategic, and equitable system that prepares all students for the future? How can we do so in a way that honors the diversity of Washtenaw County and the unique needs of each of our nine local communities?
Districts will continue to make local investment decisions within the parameters of the millage while participating in countywide planning efforts. Countywide initiatives will be developed collaboratively, with costs, funding sources, district responsibilities, and expected outcomes identified before additional commitments are made.
WISD is developing a public dashboard with key equity metrics to help Washtenaw County understand how millage dollars are being used and the impact on students, including access, participation, and outcomes. Look for this in early 2027!
2026-27 Funding Buckets
FUNDING BUCKETS
This year, the Washtenaw Superintendents’ Association (WSA) has identified 12 key buckets for allocating local millage, state, and federal funding to meet the goal of further developing, implementing, and providing expanded access to a countywide PreK-12 system for CTE, career exploration, and applied and experiential learning opportunities.
Core Investments
PreK-12 Career Exploration and Experiential Learning (i.e. PLTW, FIRST Robotics, Ten80)
Capital Costs for New and Current High School CTE Infrastructure (i.e. Facilities and Equipment)
Salary and Benefits for Instructional Staff in State-Approved High School CTE Programs
In the proposed 2026-27 budget, the three categories above equal 70% of CTE millage funding.
Piloting and Research
Piloting New State-Approved High School CTE Programs
Researching Innovative Opportunities and Piloting Community Partnerships
Expanding Student Access
Transportation for Expanded Access and Student Organizations
Certification/Credential Costs and Student Materials
District-to-District Cost Sharing
System Support
Career Counseling and Work-Based Learning Supervision
CTE Leadership and Regional Technical Support
WISD Millage Oversight Duties (i.e. Accounting, Auditing, Technology, Backbone Infrastructure)
Fund Equity (Maintained to Manage Cash Flow)
Frequently Asked Questions
What sources of revenue make up the Washtenaw CTE budget?
An estimated $25M will be collected through the countywide CTE millage approved by voters in November 2025. This funding began in July 2026. Washtenaw schools also capture approximately $535,000 from federal funds (Perkins V) and just under $1M from state funds (Section 61a(1) Added Cost). WISD also has some remaining one-time grant funds through the 2026-2027 school year.
How were these funding priorities determined?
The Washtenaw Superintendents’ Association (WSA) has identified these specific buckets of funding. These priorities emerged following in-depth discussions between WISD leadership and each local district, several months of a meetings with industry and education leaders, and years of countywide collaboration, community listening, and formal research from the University of Michigan Youth Policy Lab.
These priorities align with information shared with voters ahead of the CTE millage ballot proposal, with the majority of funding allocated to CTE instructional staff, capital costs for new and existing state-approved programs, and PreK-12 career exploration opportunities.
What is a state-approved CTE program?
A state-approved CTE program is a year-long course for 11th and 12th grade students. Unlike a traditional elective, state-approved CTE programs have a program advisory committee, work-based learning experiences, industry-recognized certifications, postsecondary articulation agreements, and connected student leadership organizations.
How are student needs across different communities considered?
This funding model is designed to share funds in equitable and proportional ways that expand access and meet the unique needs of students in every district. These funding buckets will remain flexible to meet new or shifting needs when reevaluated each year.
WISD is working with local districts to finalize a governance model that will include both student voice and input from business and industry leaders and community partners.
How can community members stay informed?
In early 2027, WISD will launch a CTE millage dashboard webpage equity metrics and other data to communicate progress to the community.
WSA Recommendations - Fall 2026
In September 2026, the WSA has also approved recommendations in the following areas that move the countywide CTE work into its next phase:
Countywide Curriculum and Programming
- Explore PreK-12 entrepreneurship programming through Uncharted Learning.
- Expand drone and aviation programming.
- Explore feasibility and models to expand From Curiosity to Career programming.
- Explore a K-12 World of Work model.
Countywide Infrastructure
- Develop a proposal for an expanded regional CTE staffing model.
- Explore leadership learning opportunities focused on building organizational systems.
- Establish CTE talking points and a coordinated communications strategy.
- Create a workgroup to plan for countywide PowerSchool processes.
Increased Student CTE Access
- Further explore a transportation strategy including purchasing vans.
- Explore the feasibility of expanding high-demand pathways through countywide programs (dental assisting, careers in education, veterinarian technology, drones and aviation, welding, skilled trades, EV/mobility).
- Explore and develop criteria for regional hubs, including at Bessie Hoffman (Lincoln).
Please note:
Authorization to explore does not mean that a program has been approved for implementation or that funding has been committed. WISD and participating districts are investigating opportunities, developing proposals, and convening workgroups before bringing recommendations back for further consideration.
Supporting Students Today
The CTE millage funding is already helping support students participating in career-focused learning across our county by supporting staffing, programming, equipment, and transportation. This year, the millage is funding vocationally (CTE) certified educators who teach state-approved CTE programs. These programs ensure high school students have access to hands-on, industry-aligned curriculum that prepares them for college and career.
Examples
- Sustaining the 70+ existing state-approved high school CTE programs across Washtenaw County.
- Continuing the Drone and Aviation Technology pilot program at Lincoln and Ypsilanti.
- Adding sections to address student waitlists in programs like Construction Trades and Health Science.
Expanding Career Exploration
The millage is also supporting Applied and Experiential Learning, also known as “hands-on” or “learning by doing,” opportunities from PreK through 12th grade, helping students of all ages explore career pathways before they enroll in a CTE program. These hands-on experiences allow students to discover their interests and build connections between classroom learning and the real world. Some of these opportunities are being implemented at the district level, while others are being coordinated countywide by Washtenaw ISD.
Examples
- CTE/STEM curriculum, such as Project Lead the Way (PLTW) (computer science, engineering, and biomedical science), Ten80 Education (racing, autonomous electric vehicles, energy, machine learning, and sustainability), FIRST Robotics, and/or Uncharted Learning (entrepreneurship)
- Drone Soccer (middle school)
- From Curiosity to Career (middle school advanced manufacturing units with near-peer instruction, industry tours, and parent engagement) at Ann Arbor Scarlett, Lincoln, and Ypsilanti
- BEST Leadership program (capstone experience with tuition-free dual enrollment at WCC and a paid work experience aligned to business, entrepreneurship, sports management, or tourism/hospitality)
Investing in infrastructure
The millage is helping districts invest in equipment, facilities, instructional spaces, and educator training, ensuring that the tools, technology, environments, and instruction available to students reflect current industry standards.
Examples
- SAM Labs coding platform/equipment (Ann Arbor, Dexter)
- Space lease for construction programs (Ann Arbor, Saline)
- Renovation of a Cosmetology and Barbering classroom and lab space (Ypsilanti)
- Mechatronics equipment (Lincoln)
- Welding instructor training (Manchester)
Reducing transportation barriers
Transportation remains one of the largest barriers to CTE participation. The countywide vision is to make high-quality CTE opportunities available within approximately 25 minutes of every high school, but geographic access alone does not ensure that students can participate. Millage funding is being used to reimburse districts for eligible costs associating with transporting students to programs in other districts or to CTE student competitions. WISD and the WSA are also exploring whether additional transportation resources, including district vans, could help address gaps.
Building Capacity and Cohesion Countywide
The millage is supporting both immediate district needs and the intentional development of future opportunities. The countywide goal is not simply to add more programs, but to create a more coordinated countywide system. Achieving this vision will require coordination around numerous factors, including program locations, transportation, student scheduling, staffing, enrollment, and industry and postsecondary partnerships.
Examples
The WSA is developing a Washtenaw County CTE Consortium Agreement for consideration by local boards of education. By November, advisory groups that are part of the governance model and reflect the entire county are expected to begin meeting. These structures will help ensure future investments are informed by educational leaders, industry partners, and student voices and remain focused on access, quality, equity, and outcomes.