Special Ed Millage: Vote November 7th
Learn how your vote helps to fund learning for all students at CPS
The mission of the Charlotte Public Schools is to provide an excellent educational culture and learning environment which is safe, student centered and in collaboration with our parents and community. This goal is for all students, including those with educational and academic challenges that are supported with special education programming.
While we service students across our Eaton Regional Education Service Agency, Federal, state and local special education revenues underfund Eaton RESA service area programs for special needs students by nearly $6.1 million dollars annually. Even the most recent budgets still do not fully fund special education programs. Because of this shortfall, local districts must use general education funds to pay for Special Education programs and services. Therefore, CPS is partnering with other ERESA districts (Grand Ledge, Eaton Rapids, Maple Valley, and Potterville) to communicate information about the upcoming 2023 Special Education Millage Information.
As a county, our millage rate is much lower than most of the surrounding counties. The cost to educate a student with special needs and provide tools that support their learning has increased significantly since our county millage was passed in 1985. Therefore, county special education millage has been placed on the November ballot. If approved:
- The proposed millage increase of .9 mils would collect approximately $3 million per year across our county.
- This would bring in approximately $624, 500 a year for 10 years for a total of $6.2 million for Charlotte Public Schools.
- This would return close to $262 of funding per student to CPS general education classrooms.
- The proposed millage increase would cost homeowners approximately $7.50/month or $90/year whose property has a taxable value of $100,000 (market value of $200,000).
In my time here in Charlotte, I have been overwhelmed by the passion and support that our community has for students. I am hoping that you consider this millage as if it was a CPS millage, as it makes a difference to our students as Orioles!
For more details about the millage, go to www.eatonresa.org. Thank you for taking your time, and please vote on Nov 7, 2023!
Go Orioles, Oriole Pride!
Dr. Mandy R. Stewart- CPS Superintendent
