HOLLAND — Ottawa and Allegan county residents will play a significant role in the future of special education funding as they prepare to cast their ballots on May 6.

The proposal addresses both the renewal of an existing millage and the restoration of funds lost to state-mandated rollbacks.

Michigan's public schools, including both traditional districts and charter academies, are legally obligated to provide what's known as a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to students with disabilities. This mandate extends from birth through age 26. In the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District region alone, nearly one in seven students — roughly 13% — rely on these critical services.

If the proposal is approved, it would generate approximately $4.5 million annually, reducing the current $14.5 million funding gap and allow schools to reallocate general fund dollars to resources that would otherwise support educational programs and services for all students, according to the OAISD website.

If the millage proposal is not approved, the unfunded portion is expected to grow annually.

Currently, state and federal contributions cover only about 42% of the actual costs associated with delivering these mandated special education programs. This leaves a substantial gap — approximately $14.5 million annually — that local schools are expected to bridge. To do so, they primarily rely on dedicated special education millage funds or general operating budgets that could potentially divert resources from programs that benefit the broader student population.

The upcoming vote involves two key components:  

• Voters will be asked to renew the 1.2425 mills initially approved in 2007. 
• The proposal seeks to restore 0.5000 mills. This restoration aims to offset reductions caused by the Headlee Amendment, a state constitutional provision that limits property tax revenue growth.

Proponents of the millage argue that its passage is essential to maintaining the current level of services and protecting against future funding shortfalls. 

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For more information on the millage, read the Special Education Millage information presented by the OAISD.

The Ottawa Area ISD, which serves as the intermediate school district for the region, is the only entity legally authorized to place this millage question on the ballot. All funds collected, if the proposal passes, will be distributed to local school districts and academies or used by the OAISD for specialized programming. The ISD serves districts including Allendale, Coopersville, Grand Haven, Hamilton, Holland, Hudsonville, Jenison, Saugatuck, Spring Lake, West Ottawa, and Zeeland, as well as charter schools like Black River, Eagle Crest, iCademy Global, Innocademy, Vanderbilt, Walden Green, and West Michigan AAA.

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.