Kent ISD Enhancement Millage
We thank the voters of Kent County for approving the Kent ISD Regional Enhancement Millage for another 10 years. The funding generated through this millage enables schools to focus on student success through programs and experiences like career and college readiness, health and wellness supports, technology upgrades, safety, and so much more. We appreciate this continued investment by voters which demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting students, educators and schools across our entire county.
How much does this generate for schools?
Passage of this proposal would generate an estimated $35.6 million, approximately $357 per student, for all public schools within the taxable boundaries of Kent ISD.
How will the funding be used?
The funds distributed to all local public schools will be used for school investments determined by the local school leaders. All of the funding raised by the enhancement millage will go directly to local schools. Since 2017, local schools have used the funding in a variety of ways, including:
- Special Education
- Career & Technical Education
- College Readiness Programs
- Student Mental Health/Behavioral Supports
- Academic Supports
- Curriculum Materials
- Facility Enhancements
- Safety & Security
- Reducing Class Sizes
- Dual Enrollment
- Staff Professional Development
- Student & Staff Technology
- Reducing Pay to Play for Athletics
You can see more specifics on how districts used the funding from the millage approved in 2017 here.
How will the schools be held accountable?
Spending will be subject to annual independent audits and publicly disclosed to ensure transparency and accountability. Publicly elected school boards, governed by the Open Meetings Act, will provide additional taxpayer protections.
The Headlee Amendment Effect
The Headlee Amendment, a 1978 amendment to the Michigan Constitution, restricts local property tax increases by requiring a reduction in millage rates if the tax base (taxable value) grows faster than inflation, unless voters approve a "Headlee Override".
- Headlee Rollback is a permanent reduction in the originally approved millage rate.
- Headlee Override is the mechanism to restore millage rates to their original rates through voter approval.
The 2017 millage rate, due to the Headlee Amendment, was reduced to 0.8498 mills. If passed, this proposal would restore and renew the millage to the original 0.9 mills.
Additional Information
While Central High students have been participating in the zoo excursion for about the past 10 years, Butler said this is the first time students from all three high schools participated, which was made possible through the regional enhancement millage and John Ball Zoo and Grand Rapids Public Museum millage.
According to a Kent ISD website, which tracks how districts have used the funding, enhancement millage dollars have gone toward a wide range of student-centered initiatives.
Voters will consider renewing a millage Nov. 4 that has generated millions of dollars across 20 public school districts in Kent ISD over the past eight years.
