The Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency (KRESA) in a county-wide election May 5 is asking voters for a six-year renewal of a special education tax with revenue to be distributed among all school districts and charter schools for education of students with a disability.
Voters approved the six-year tax of $1.50 per $1,000 taxable valuation in 2015 and 2021. Provisions of the Michigan constitution since the last renewal have reduced the rate to $1.4862. The tax if approved would add $0.0138 per $1,000 taxable valuation to restore the $1.50 rate. If approved and levied in 2027, it will raise approximately $16,815,446 to be distributed among the county’s school districts and its public school academies.
The funds support a portion of special education costs, including specialized instruction, teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists, and assistive technology to provide services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and classroom aides.
The state requires districts to provide such services. If the millage were to fail, KRESA says, costs would have to be met by individual districts and schools.
