Board, superintendent urge community to study Washtenaw CTE millage ahead of election
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Summary
Superintendent and multiple board members urged Milan-area voters to review materials about the proposed Washtenaw Intermediate School District CTE millage, saying countywide CTE funding gaps disadvantage Milan students and that recent grant funding is expiring.
Superintendent McMahon and several Milan Area Schools board members used the Oct. 29 meeting to urge voters to review materials on the upcoming Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) career and technical education (CTE) millage.
McMahon emphasized that the millage would expand CTE opportunities across the county, including programs that could serve students from fringe communities such as Manchester and Chelsea as well as Milan. "I would encourage our voters to consider the enhancement of the programs that are in the county right now," McMahon said, asking the community to visit the WISD website for details.
Board members who attended the Michigan Association of School Boards conference echoed that message. Several cited a University of Michigan Youth Policy Lab report documenting inequities in CTE access across the county and described Washtenaw County as a relative "CTE desert." Board member Marais compared local levy levels to neighboring counties, noting Jackson County's existing levy at 2.1286 mills and Lenawee County at about 2.9067 mills while saying the current Washtenaw request is about "1 point" (her words).
Speakers also noted that earlier grant funding that supported some CTE work in the county has expired or will expire soon, increasing urgency for a funding source that can sustain programs.
No formal board action on the millage occurred at the meeting; board members requested continued outreach and encouraged constituents to become informed voters.