COPESD Proposed Special Education Millage RENEWAL

Proposed Special Education Millage Renewal on the Ballot for November 3rd, 2026

Voters will be asked to consider a renewal of the Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District special education millage. This proposal is not a new tax. Instead, it would renew an existing millage that has helped support special education services and programs for students in the Cheboygan, Otsego and Presque Isle counties for 25 years.

If approved by voters, the renewal would continue to generate nearly $3 million in annual funding dedicated to mandated special education services and programs. 

Under Michigan law, school districts are required to provide these services to eligible students with disabilities, regardless of whether the millage is approved. 

Because state and federal funding do not fully cover the full cost of special education, local districts rely on multiple funding sources to meet these obligations. 

This millage helps offset a significant portion of those costs.

Every dollar generated through the renewal would remain local and be distributed to school districts across the region. These funds help support services such as:

Specialized instructional support

Classroom and behavioral supports

Early intervention services

Equipment for students with disabilities

Specialized transportation

Transition programming and postsecondary supports

This millage is a key funding source for the special education services we provide in the COPESD, generating about $574,662 in revenue in the 2025-26 school year. This amounts to approximately $400 for every student attending our schools. 

The renewal would be levied at a rate of 0.6231 mill, which equals approximately 62 cents annually for every $1,000 of taxable property value. If approved, the renewed millage would continue funding for special education services while reducing pressure on our general operating budget. 

We encourage families and community members to learn more about the proposal before Election Day. More information, including answers to frequently asked questions about the renewal proposal, is available on the COPESD website. 

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this proposal and what it means for students and schools across our region.