Char-Em ISD special education millage request on May 7 ballot
EMMET COUNTY — Next week, Emmet, Charlevoix and northern Antrim County voters will be seeing a special education millage renewal request from the Char-Em ISD on their ballots.
The millage was originally approved in 1980 and has been renewed every four years. The ask is for a renewal of 1.4606 mills, generating about $10.3 million per year, according to a release from the ISD.
More: Char-Em special education millage to be on May ballot
The funding helps reimburse Char-Em school districts, ISD-operated classrooms and the Patricia A. Taylor School for their special education-related expenses. It also contributes to funding special training for teachers and evaluation services. The money is also used to provide specialized transportation for students with disabilities and career and college preparation.
“This millage was originally approved by voters in 1980 and has been renewed every four years since,” Char-Em ISD Superintendent Scott Koziol said in a release. “This millage impacts the lives of thousands of students and their families in our region, from newborns to students up to age 26, including their lives beyond school. It provides critical services to students with disabilities in every Char-Em ISD district.”
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Koziol noted that the ballot language asks for an increase instead of a renewal, because of state request regulations. The previous renewal expired Dec. 31, 2023, meaning this is technically a new levy.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 7. Voters in the Alanson, Beaver Island, Boyne City, Boyne Falls, Central Lake, Charlevoix, Ellsworth, East Jordan, Harbor Springs, Pellston and Petoskey school districts will be asked to vote on the proposal.
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Char-Em ISD special education millage request on May 7 ballot
