MARQUETTE, MI— Marquette-Alger RESA is hoping to generate nearly $5 million in special education funding through a proposal on the May 2nd ballot.
Superintendent Greg Nyen says MARESA is asking voters to approve an additional 1.5 mills, for a total of 3.5. He says current revenue sources aren’t enough to fund the $25 million in special education services for the 12 public school districts and one public academy MARESA serves.
“That means that, on an annual basis, our school districts in Marquette and Alger counties must take funds from their general fund portion of the budget to subsidize the special education costs that are not currently covered.”
Nyen notes only an intermediate school district has the statutory authority to levy such a millage, and all funds generated would go directly to the schools.
He says the millage would cost $150 a year, or 42 cents per day, for a home with a $200,000 market value.
More information about the millage is here.
