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Milan board backs WISD CTE millage after superintendents cite demand, polling and 'CTE deserts'
Summary
The Milan Area Schools board voted 7–0 May 20 to support a county‑level Career & Technical Education millage that Washtenaw ISD may place on the November 2025 ballot.
The Milan Area Schools Board of Education voted unanimously May 20 to support placement of a county‑level Career & Technical Education (CTE) millage by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District on the November 2025 ballot.
During discussion, Mr. Gierbaugh (presenting on behalf of the superintendents’ group) said superintendents spent two years researching the proposal to identify gaps in coverage and opportunities to expand programs. “We’ve done about two years of research on this,” he said, and described goals to align offerings across districts and reduce what he called “CTE deserts” where students lack nearby access to certain programs.
Gierbaugh cited public polling commissioned through Epic MRA showing about 70–77 percent support after a sequence of informational prompts. “That poll for 1 mill with some conversation came back with 77% in support of a 1 mil. 70% saying they would vote yes, and 7% saying they would likely vote yes,” he told the board. The presentation also compared a 0.8‑mill and a 1.0‑mill option and said the polling difference between the two was small.
Board members framed the measure as a way to expand existing programs (welding, health care pathways, cosmetology, automotive, CNC, etc.), increase regional program capacity so districts can offer more sections, and replace or maintain expensive equipment. One board member emphasized that many CTE courses feed into college pathways or provide certifications that help students work while attending college.
Administrators clarified that the proposed millage would be a county (WISD) millage and that collected funds would be held by the intermediate district as fiscal agent and distributed to programs; school districts do not levy CTE millages individually. The board also discussed voters’ expectations and said school leaders would not place the measure on the ballot without evidence of sufficient public support.
Why it matters: Board support signals local backing for the ballot measure and may influence community outreach. District and county officials said the millage would expand CTE slots in areas with waiting lists and invest in equipment that districts cannot easily fund from operating budgets.
Vote: The board’s resolution supporting placement of a WISD CTE millage on the November 2025 ballot passed 7–0.
