On May 2, 2023, a question regarding a Special Education Millage Renewal will be on the ballot. If approved, this would generate approximately $8,800,000 for students with special education needs in the Jackson County ISD service area, which includes our school district. No new taxes are being proposed. This renewal would cost homeowners with a market value of $100,000 or a taxable value of $50,000, $77.04 per year or $6.42 per month.
Under federal law, public schools must meet the needs of students with disabilities. In Michigan, special education is not fully funded, resulting in school districts having to draw money from their general fund budgets to pay for special education services. This millage is designed to help local districts like ours by generating tax revenue for the purpose of reimbursement. During the 2022-23 school year, this millage brought $311,626 to Grass Lake Community Schools.
Of the approximately $8.8 million the 1.5408-mills will generate, 100% will be reimbursed to local districts by the Jackson County ISD, which acts as a “pass-through” for those dollars. If the millage fails, districts would still have to cover those mandated special education costs, resulting in fewer dollars to support programs for ALL students.
For more information, to review frequently asked questions or view the ballot language, please visit the Jackson County ISD website at www.jcisd.org.