2026 Millage Renewal

It is a renewal of the property tax levy last approved by voters in 2021 that supports mandated special education programs. If approved by voters, the millage would continue for six years at the originally authorized 1.5-mill rate.

The proposal would authorize a total of 1.5 mills, which is the same rate approved by voters in 2021.

State and federal funding does not fully cover the cost of special education. Local districts face a funding gap: they are legally required to provide special education, but without additional funds, they must use general education dollars to pay for these services. The countywide special education millage fills this gap by reimbursing districts for those unfunded costs, ensuring that general education budgets can be preserved for general classroom needs.

If renewed, the millage is expected to generate about $16.8 million per year for special education. These funds are collected by Kalamazoo RESA (the intermediate school district) and distributed to all nine local school districts and public school academies in the county. Each district is reimbursed for a portion of their special education expenses – including costs for specialized instruction, teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists, and assistive technology. This funding supports programs and services such as:

• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Classroom aides
• Center-based programs like WoodsEdge
• And many more Special Education programs in local districts

Without this millage, schools would lose approximately $16.8 million annually in dedicated special education funding. Because special education services are mandated by law, local districts would have to use their general fund (general education budget) to cover all special education costs. This could force districts to make significant budget cuts to general education programs or other services to reallocate funds to special education. In short, a non-renewal would not eliminate the obligation to serve students with disabilities – it would shift the financial burden entirely onto existing school budgets, likely impacting all students.

Kalamazoo RESA, as the intermediate school district, collects the millage revenue and distributes it to each public school district and charter school in the county. The special education millage is focused on reimbursing actual special ed expenditures.