Name
Macomb Intermediate School District Regional Enhancement Special Education Operating Millage Proposal
Who Will Vote
All Municipalities in Macomb County
When is the Vote
November 8, 2011 General Election
Ballot Proposal Language
Shall the limitation on the amount of ad valorem taxes which may be imposed on taxable property in the Macomb Intermediate School District, Michigan, be increased by 1.2 mill ($1.20 per thousand dollars of taxable value) for a period of twenty (20) years, 2011 to 2030, inclusive, as new additional millage to provide operating funds to enhance other state and local funding for local school district special education operating purposes? It is estimated that 1.2 mill would raise approximately $27.5 million when first levied in 2011.
Yes or No
RCNMC Recommendation
Vote NO.
The RCNMC passed a resolution to NOT SUPPORT the MISD millage proposal on the November 8 ballot. In a struggling economy where families are still working hard to make ends meet, this is not the time to discuss a tax increase of any kind. We call on the school districts of the county to instead look for ways to manage costs and streamline services in order to better accommodate the needs for all of Macomb County’s students.
Additional Proposal Details
Pursuant to state law, the revenue raised by the proposed enhancement millage will be collected by the Macomb Intermediate School District and allocated in accordance with Section 705 of the Revised School Code to local public school districts within the boundaries of the Macomb Intermediate School District for special education purposes with such revenue allocation being applied first to pay unfunded balance of the costs which would otherwise be payable by each local school district to the Macomb Intermediate School District for certain special education center programs.
The revenue from this millage will be disbursed to or for the benefit of the following school districts:
| Anchor Bay School District Armada Area Schools Center Line Public Schools Chippewa Valley Schools Clintondale Community Schools East Detroit Public Schools Fitzgerald Public Schools Fraser Public Schools Lake Shore Public Schools Lakeview Public Schools L’Anse Creuse Public Schools |
Mount Clemens Community Schools New Haven Community Schools Richmond Community Schools Romeo Community Schools Roseville Community Schools South Lake Schools Utica Community Schools Van Dyke Public Schools Warren Consolidated Schools Warren Woods Public Schools |
Source: http://www.macombcountymi.gov/clerksoffice/pdf/elec-2011-nov-proposals.pdf
Information from the Sponsors of the Millage
Click Here for a Printable Flyer about the Millage (source MacombSchoolSelection.org)
Click Here for a Website that provides additional details about the millage.
Macomb School Selection: ”On November 8th, voters can restore part of this multi-million dollar loss. A Special Education Enhancement millage would give every school district in Macomb County much-needed additional money. At a cost of about 20 cents per day for the average homeowner, funds from the 1.2 mill proposal would go first for special education services, which would then free up general fund money and help ALL students in EVERY district.”
“Macomb County’s public school superintendents have unanimously agreed to support a 1.2 mill countywide Special Education Enhancement Millage Proposal to benefit the 131,000 students in their 21 districts on the November 8 ballot, the Macomb County’s Superintendents Association has announced.”
“All 21 of the elected Boards of Education in Macomb County and the Macomb Intermediate School District School Board have also agreed upon placing the proposal on the ballot.”
“Why has this 1.2 mill property tax proposal been placed on the Tuesday, November 8 ballot? If approved, the $27 million from the proposal would offset about one-fourth of the $103 million local districts and the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) are losing annually compared with 2008. This loss amounts to $785 per student. It results from cuts in state and federal funding and local property taxes. The situation has forced local school districts to increase class sizes as well as reduce programs and services.”
Media Articles
- Macomb Patch, November 7, 2011: Do I Vote Yes or No on the Special Education Millage Nov. 8?
- Macomb Daily, November 6, 2011: MISD millage request tops Tuesday ballots
- Macomb Daily, October 30, 2011: Voters to decide on special ed millage
- Macomb Daily, October 29, 2011: Macomb County voters to decide school millage question
- Macomb Daily Blog, October 25, 2011: MISD school officials duck debate, fear Drolet
- The Voice, October 19, 2011: Special education millage could mean growth for Anchor Bay services
- The Voice, October 12, 2011: Chippewa Valley superintendent campaigns for special education millage
- Macomb Daily, October 8, 2011: Republicans Oppose MISD millage request
- Michigan Capitol Confidential, October 6, 2011: School District Seeking Tax Hike Challenged on Dollar Figures
- Macomb Patch, October 6, 2011: Chippewa Valley Weighs in on Special Education Millage
- Michigan Capitol Confidential, September 13, 2011: School District Exaggerates Funding Loss by $66 Million
- Advisor & Source, August 4, 2011: Superintendent campaigning for 20-year special education millage
- The Voice, July 26, 2011: Board joins in approval of special education millage
- The Voice, July 20, 2011: MISD superintendents support education millage on fall ballot
- Macomb Daily, July 18, 2011: Special education tax hike up to Macomb County voters
- Macomb Daily, July 12, 2011: County voters asked to approve a 1.2-mill tax hike for special education
I find this so sad when our politicians fail to support education. These children are our future! It seems so simple to me – it seems like a no brainer…..why would anyone oppose our children, our future let alone a politician! Shame on you!
I agree, I wish others would see the need.
Who says that education isn’t being suported? The educational system is a mess. Mostly because of lavish benefits given to employees this tax payers are on the hook for billions in legacy costs. I for one dont oppose children thats a sham on your part. I oppose the continuing cry for more, with litle accountability for any real benefits for the kids. The sad part is that those in the private sector get no where near the wages and benefits that those in the schoools do and yet we are forced to pay for continued incompetence and lackluster performance.
“No Child Left Behind” was a Republican initiative (mandate) several years ago. Remember? This is not a issue to squabble about on party lines.
A true conservative would see this as an investment, and not to use this as a tool to dissestablish public education (btw…I have seen quite a bit of money sent to Cranbook for the more fortunate child) The party should instead be a champion, not an opponent. Do not leave them behind.
NCLB was a bipartisan initiative co-sponsored by the “Lion of the Senate” Ted Kennedy, certainly no Republican.
We can debate NCLB all day long, but it is not beloved by public education.
Children and their education should come first, period. The funding would not only support the special education population but also free up money to be spent on all the other areas, including regular everyday classroom needs, athletics, music and drama.
The politicians are not against their high salaries and benefits and have no problem lining their pockets. Apparently none of you have ever had a child in public schools or a child that need something extra.
Put the kids first. And remember a no vote is a vote against education, sports, music and your children and grandchildrens (neice, nephew, cousin, etc)education and future.
Thank you for taking this position against this 40% tax increase by our school districts. In Sterling Hts. we were just force fed an 18% real estate tax increase. The taxpayers are with you and we will defeat this 40% tax increase. In this economy I have many neighbors out of work and in dire financial situations. They wonder where their rent will come from next month. Is there government greed or is there only corporate greed? Does government greed (school districts first in line) ever take a day off, be it in Washington DC or in Macomb County? Do they ever have enough? Can they ever do with what they have? Never. The dirty secret is MISD funding is guaranteed from the school districts (UCS). This millage only serves to give more money the districts, the way it’s written. This tax increase is ONLY about keeping those $120K salaries unending in the MISD administration. Thanks for your leadership!
You do not seem to have a probem with lining the pockets of our elected officials, yet when it comes to EDUCATION you fall short. These children NEED our support!! I WAS a Republican but will no longer support your ideals. Many teachers purchase many of their own supplies from their salaries. Many parents have been trying to assist with purchase of these supplies. We did not intend for children with special needs to be born this way, it just happened. It is obvious you and your families do not have children with special needs. I am disappointed with your non support of this important issue
What is the reason for teachers buying their own supplies? Up until recently, most teachers paid little or nothing towards their benefits and yet the cost of health care spiraled upward. Meanwhile the average person takes on more of their own costs. There is only so much money and more and more of it in the educational system is going for retirement and benefits. unfortunately that really doesnt translate to a better education for our kids.