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CCISD Measure passes

Special Education Replacement Millage Proposal

HOUGHTON -- Voters across the Copper Country Intermediate School District (ISD) decisively approved the Special Education Replacement Millage Proposal during Tuesday's general election, securing long-term funding continuity for regional educational services. Unofficial summary reports show the 20-year measure passed with a combined district total of 4,902 “yes” votes to 2,596 “no” votes across Houghton, Baraga, and Keweenaw counties.

The approved 0.2903-mill levy replaces an expiring 2007 millage. It is projected to raise an estimated $601,033 in its first year of collection, funding specialized therapies, adaptive equipment, and localized staff support for more than 1,000 special education students across 14 constituent public school districts.

The proposal passed in all three participating counties:

• Baraga County: Voters backed the measure with 2,019 “yes” votes to 1,033 “no” votes, representing a 59.16 percent turnout for the specific ballot item.

• Houghton County: The ballot question passed with 2,000 “yes” votes to 1,118 “no” votes.

• Keweenaw County: Electorate totals reached 883 “yes” votes against 445 “no” votes.

Because a 2006 state statutory change caps permanent millage language at 20 years, the district was legally required to present the issue to voters as a “replacement” rather than a standard renewal. The legal phrasing framed the request as an increase on the ballot, though the final approval maintains the existing tax rate without implementing a new net assessment hike on local property owners.

CCISD Public Engagement Specialist David Sim expressed appreciation for the electorate’s turnout and direct endorsement of regional specialized programming following a late night of monitoring local precinct updates.

"I would say that we are very grateful and appreciative to the community," Sim said. "I think the thing that we can take away from this is we are grateful for this message and we would want to thank the community for their support, the commitment to the students, and their commitment to special education."

Sim noted that the operational costs of special education continue past the close of election day. The millage renewal guarantees long-term baseline security for early intervention and continuous developmental programs.

"There’s a thousand students that receive special education services from birth to age 26, and that continues past November 3rd," Sim said. "For those families, this is an important service that we appreciate the community recognizes that gets to continue to be offered. It’s programs like special education that can allow for all of our students to learn and grow alongside each other."

While the l millage passage secures the district’s foundation through December 31, 2046, Sim emphasized that local funding represents a single component of comprehensive education maintenance. Local administrators must continue navigating broader legislative funding mechanisms outside the western Upper Peninsula.

"This is one piece of the puzzle," Sim said. "This will help provide funding for 20 years, which is incredible, but we still need to continue to advocate for these services in Lansing and in Washington, D.C., both nationally and federally."