Special Education Millage Renewal

No Tax Rate Increase

If the special education millage is approved, there would be no increase to the existing tax rates.

Every Child, Every Day: 

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. 

Renewal would preserve General Funds:

If the millage is renewed, the renewal keep $57 million in unrestricted general funds available for programs and services that could benefit every public school student. This could include advanced placement coursework, improved learning environments, mental health supports, extracurricular activities, school safety and more.

If the 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.

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. 

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. 

Who can vote on this proposal?

• Registered voters who are residents of WISD's constituent districts can vote on the special education millage renewal. WISD's constituent districts are: 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 School.

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.

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 kind of staff would the millage support?

• If approved, the millage would support special education staff such as:
  • Special education teachers
  • Special education paraprofessionals
  • Teacher consultants for supporting educators and students with various disabilities
  • Administrators and other support staff

What kind of services would the millage support?

• If approved, the millage would support special education services such as: 
  • Early On (Michigan Mandatory Special Education) for ages birth-3 years
  • Speech, physical, and occupational therapy
  • Assistive technology
  • Nursing, psychology, and school social work
  • Transition support for college, work and life
  • Professional learning on best practices for educators

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.