Special Education Millage Benefits All Students
Without this millage, general fund money will have to cover unfunded special education needs
CPS just completed a round of district improvements to upgrade our buildings, instructional spaces, technology and parking lots, as well as spaces for special programs like the arts, Future Farmers of America, athletics and more.
We have plans to expand important educational and extracurricular programs – arts, music, foreign languages, and athletics. These are the programs that round-out every child’s K-12 experience and prepare them for success after high school.
You may have seen social media posts and emails regarding the upcoming ERESA Special Education millage that is on the ballot on November 7. To give you more information on how that millage can affect school funding, we want to give you facts about special education funding sources in our public schools, including Charlotte Public Schools.
The State of Michigan requires special education services for all eligible kids but does not fully cover the program costs. This means schools are forced to cover these costs out of the district general fund budget – money that goes towards our educational and extracurricular programs for all students and community members.
The proposed millage would increase Special Education funding across ERESA districts, including Charlotte Public Schools. Without this millage, general fund money will have to cover the unfunded Special Education needs.
So while you may not have a student that receives Special Education services, or you may not have a child in school at all, please know that general education funding will be affected if the millage does not pass, and that can impact programs/services across our district.
Thank you for your time and consideration, Go Orioles! Oriole Pride!
Dr. Mandy Stewart- CPS Superintendent
