Sara Swanson

Letter to the editor: WISD Special Education Millage

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October 1, 2024

On November 5, 2024, voters will be asked to consider renewing a Washtenaw Intermediate School District Special Education Millage. If approved, the 12-year, 2.3826 mill renewal would cover unreimbursed special education costs.

In Washtenaw County, more than 6,000 students, or 1 in 7 students, receive special education services, plus almost 900 additional children from birth to age three.

If the special education millage is approved:

  • It would help keep $57 million in unrestricted general funds across Washtenaw County available for programs and services that could benefit every student. This includes advanced placement coursework, improved learning environments, mental health supports, extracurricular activities, school safety, and more.

  • Millage dollars would stay local! Washtenaw ISD would reimburse all local public school districts and local public school academies for their mandated special education costs, including the Manchester Community Schools.

  • There would be no tax rate increase. The renewal would maintain an existing 2.3826 mill tax.

  • The impact on the Manchester Community Schools’ reimbursement through this millage is approximately $766,408 annually, which is incredibly significant in general fund and budgeting processes.

To learn more, you can contact Dr. Brad Bezeau, Superintendent of the Manchester Community Schools, via e-mail at bbezeau@mcs.k12.mi.us or via telephone at (734) 428-9711, extension 1001. You may also visit the Washtenaw ISD’s website at https://www.washtenawisd.org/specialedrenewal/ or call (734) 994-8100.

Brad Bezeau
Manchester Community Schools Superintendent

Views expressed in any Letter to the Editor are always exclusively those of the author. Do you have something you want Manchester to know? Send your Letter to the Editor to themanchestermirror@gmail.com.

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