Special Education Millage Renewal

On November 5, 2024, voters residing in school districts served by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District will vote on a 12-year, no tax rate increase Special Education Millage Renewal proposal.


What is the ballot language?

Washtenaw Intermediate School District
Special Education Millage Renewal Proposal 

This proposal will permit the intermediate school district to continue to levy special education millage previously approved by the electors.

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 2.3826 mills ($2.3826 on each$1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Washtenaw Intermediate School District, Michigan, to provide funds for the education of students with a disability, be renewed for a period of 12 years, 2026 to2037, inclusive; the estimate of the revenue the intermediate school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $56,900,000 from local property taxes authorized herein (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the2025 tax levy)?






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.


Community Info Sessions

Washtenaw ISD's community information sessions have all been completed, but a Zoom recording of the virtual October 10 session is now available! Click here to view the recording. (Or click the photo below.)

A screenshot of the opening welcome slide noting that election day is November 5


Millage Student Spotlights

Meet Anna! Anna is a 24-year-old Ann Arbor student in WISD’s A2 Downtown Young Adult classroom with an infectious smile! Anna was born with Down Syndrome and will receive special education services through age 26 thanks to Michigan’s special education laws. Before coming to the A2 Downtown classroom, she was a part of the Young Adult classroom at Washtenaw Community College.   Anna’s special education experience has been nurturing and versatile both physically and mentally. The most impactful part of being in WISD’s Young Adult program has been working at various local businesses. She’s explored many different job opportunities and she particularly enjoys working at hotels.   Outside of school, Anna loves to sing and dance, is active in her church community, and she loves connecting with her friends on social media. She also enjoys swimming, playing golf, and painting with watercolors.
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Important Dates:

  • Sept. 26: Absentee voter ballots are available
  • Oct. 26-Nov. 3: Early voting period
  • Nov. 5: Election day


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In the News:

ADA & Accessibility

Our School Strives To Ensure Our Website Is Accessible To All Our Visitors 

Washtenaw ISD is committed to providing a website that is fully accessible and we are currently in the process of developing a new website to better meet the needs of our customers. Our new website will include improvements to ADA compliance and accessibility, and during this transition, we remain committed to maintaining our existing website's accessibility and usability. 

ADA Compliance

Non Discrimination

It is the policy and commitment of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and Federal regulations.

Non Discrimination Information

ADA and Title IX CoordinatorADA and Title IX Coordinator
Brian Marcel
Associate Superintendent
1819 S. Wagner Road 
Ann Arbor, MI  48103
(734) 994-8100 ext. 1402
Cassandra Harmon-Higgins
Executive Director, HR & Legal Services
1819 S. Wagner Road 
Ann Arbor, MI  48103
(734) 994-8100 ext. 1311