Livingston residents could vote on a special education millage renewal in November

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Livingston County residents may be asked to vote on a special education millage renewal and restoration this November that, if approved, will provide pass-through funding for programming and services for students aged 5-18 at county schools and academies.

The millage, proposed by the Livingston Education Service Agency, would be in place for 10 years.

The renewal would not raise residential property taxes and would provide an estimated 12.8 million in 2026 dollars to area schools, distributed by the LESA based on factors like enrollment and the number of special education students who qualify.

“The districts don’t have the taxing authority (for a special education millage), which is where we come in,” said LESA Superintendent Mike Hubert. “For us, it’s just a pass-through to the districts and academies.”

Without the millage, schools would need to use more of their general fund to pay for special education services. The needs of such students are determined individually and documented in an Individualized Education Plan. Districts are responsible for the costs to implement the plan and are required to follow rules established by the Michigan Department of Education.

Hubert said around 3,000 elementary, middle and high school students in Livingston County qualify for special education services and assistance, between 10% and 15% of the population of any one school district.

“Many people are surprised that such a high percentage of students fall into this category,” Hubert said. “This is why (the millage vote) is so significant.”

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Hartland Consolidated Schools Superintendent Chuck Hughes said all districts in Livingston County would benefit from the millage.

“We want to do the right thing and be a district and a community that is supporting students with special needs,” Hughes said. “(Passing) the millage would be a big step.”

Hughes confirmed the millage would help districts like Hartland save general funds for other expenses.

The LESA still needs to finalize the wording of the millage and receive approval from Livingston County to be added to the ballot. Hubert expects to hear back sometime in July.

— M. Alan Scott is a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com .

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Livingston residents could vote on a special education millage renewal in November