The Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Monday, June 11, in support of placing a 2-mill, 5-year property tax proposal on the Nov. 6 ballot to get more money for school operations in Wayne County.
If school districts with more than 50% of the student population in Wayne County, excluding Detroit, support the Regional Enhancement Millage, the countywide tax will be put before voters in November.
School Supt. Michael Van Tassel told the board that several months ago the superintendents of Wayne County met together to discuss the many districts that were in dire circumstances and couldn’t cut any more from their budgets.
The enhancement millage was suggested to be put on the ballot to get more money for operations.
“All they asked for is the opportunity for people to vote on it,” Van Tassel said.
The millage is expected to raise about $85 million when first levied in 2012. Revenue is slated to go to 34 school districts, including Van Buren (excluding Detroit).
“If it passes, we’re looking at $2 million additional in this district,” Van Tassel said, explaining it comes on a per-pupil basis.
He said Detroit has a non-homestead millage renewal on its Aug. 7 ballot and they are a little jumpy about getting that passed.
School Board President Martha Toth said Detroit would be a donor district, contributing more than it gets back because of the loss in student population.
“This is not an endorsement of the millage,” Toth insisted, saying, “We have to ask the voters.”
She said if the districts with large student populations, such as Plymouth Canton, Livonia and few others support the proposal, that would be enough to get it on the ballot.
“You have to have the language for the November ballot by Aug. 28,” said Trustee Sherry Frazier. “I personally don’t think we have anything to lose.”
Toth said this is the first time Wayne County would be asking for an enhancement millage. She said a similar proposal was defeated at the polls in Washtenaw County and it is believed it was because of a low turnout of voters.
She said the November election is expected to have a huge turnout in Wayne County.
“It’s a chance to pass it without Detroit … which makes it so the rest have a chance at the funds,” Van Tassel said.
Frazier said after five years, maybe it could be brought back for renewal.
Toth said by then the economy may be improved.