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Saline board backs placing CTE millage on November ballot after SWWC presentation and SME grant update
Summary
The Saline Area Schools Board voted unanimously to ask voters to authorize a Washtenaw intermediate school district millage for career and technical education programming after hearing an update from the South and West Washtenaw Consortium and a $360,000 equipment and certification grant for Saline’s manufacturing program.
The Saline Area Schools Board of Education voted unanimously May 27 to request that Washtenaw Intermediate School District place a millage question on the Nov. 4 ballot to fund expansion of countywide career and technical education programs.
Board members made the decision after a presentation by Kara Stemmer, director of the South and West Washtenaw Consortium (SWWC), and Trent Trout, manufacturing instructor at Saline High School, who described enrollment pressures and an equipment-and-training grant the district had received.
Stemmer told the board the SWWC serves six districts — Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Lincoln and Saline — and enrolls primarily 11th- and 12th-graders in 23 CTE programs. “We have programs at Dexter High School, Chelsea CTE center and here in Saline,” Stemmer said, noting wait lists in health sciences and cosmetology. She described the millage proposal as a way to add teachers, labs and capacity in programs with high demand.
Trent Trout described a grant from the SME Education Foundation’s PRIME program that provided equipment, curriculum and professional development. “We were fortunate enough to receive … nearly $360,000 in equipment, curriculum, and professional development,” Trout said, listing items that include a FANUC collaborative robot, an industrial Stratasys 3-D printer and measurement/probing gear tied to industry-recognized certifications. He said students had earned dozens of certifications this year, and the program had stronger competition results and more industry field trips.
The board discussion emphasized access and equity across Washtenaw County. Trustee comments framed the ballot question as an investment in expanded opportunities for students, particularly in parts of the county that lack a dedicated tech center. The motion to place the millage question on the ballot was moved and seconded and carried with all trustees voting in favor.
Public comment included Sarah Walker of the SME PRIME program, who urged trustees to encourage academic and college-bound students to participate in CTE offerings and described her own pathway from high-school welding to advanced degrees as an example of how CTE can support both work and higher education.
The board’s vote does not itself levy a tax; it authorizes the Washtenaw ISD to place a millage question before county voters in November. If approved by voters, the millage funds would be used for CTE expansion as described in the board’s resolution and the SWWC’s materials.
Kara Stemmer said the SWWC will continue local outreach and recruitment work and that SWWC materials (including program slides and a student slideshow) will be posted for families over the summer; Trout invited trustees and community members to visit the shop and see the new equipment in use.
The board’s action: motion to authorize Washtenaw ISD to place a CTE millage question on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot — moved by Tim Austin, seconded by Darcy Berwick; outcome: approved (unanimous).
Ending: The trustees asked the SWWC to keep the board informed about outreach steps before the November ballot and thanked staff and students for the presentation and the SME partnership.
