Washtenaw County votes for fate of special education funding

Voters in Washtenaw County will decide whether to renew a critical funding source for special education services across the county’s school districts on Nov. 5. The Washtenaw County Special Education millage renewal proposal, if passed, would extend the existing millage for another 12 years. 

According to the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, Washtenaw County’s Special Education Operating millage generates 61% of the funding that pays for special education services in local school districts. One in seven students receive special education services in Washtenaw County, including 900 children under the age of 3.

If approved by voters, the renewal would maintain an existing millage rate of $2.3826 per $1,000 of taxable valuation on the amount of taxes assessed on Washtenaw Intermediate School District property revenue, without increasing the current tax rate.

In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Naomi Norman, Washtenaw Intermediate School District superintendent, said the millage supports teachers that work alongside students with special needs. It also supports specialized services ranging from occupational therapists to vision and hearing consultants.

“It’s impacting a little over 6,000 of our students in our K-12 and we go up to age 26,” Norman said. “It’s a lot of students who receive services, and some receive just a few hours, maybe a week, and others are in specialized programs all day.”

Norman said student needs are wide-ranging and that addressing those individual needs are foundational to the well-being of the community.

“I appreciate and love living in a community where we address the needs of some of the most vulnerable people,” Norman said. “I love living in a community where we put time, energy and care behind making sure that all young people are served well, and for me, that’s what this millage is about.”

Norman said if the millage does not pass, there will be a significant financial impact on Washtenaw County districts and charter schools.

“If we identify a student and we say they’re entitled to an hour of speech and language therapy every week, then by law, we have to provide that,” Norman said. “If we don’t have the money through our local millage to pay for it, then the money has to come from somewhere else.”

Ashley Kryscynski, communications and public relations specialist at Washtenaw Intermediate School District, told The Daily that Michigan is the only state that requires schools to provide special education services from birth to age 26. Kryscynski further explained that state and federal resources provide 37% of their funding for special education.

“Because it’s something that’s mandated and required by law, we have to provide it, even if it’s not fully funded,” Kryscynski said. “Without a special education millage, that means school districts have to use their general operating funds.”

If the millage is not renewed, special education services will be underfunded by around $57 million dollars, according to Kryscynski. 

Andrea Bennink, chair of the Parent Advisory Committee at WISD, detailed her and her son’s experience with the district over the years. Bennink’s son, Nathan, was born with Down syndrome and worked with a physical therapist along with occupational and speech therapists throughout his early childhood. When Nathan transitioned into school he received numerous other services through WISD that adapted with his learning. 

“He’s received a lot of support in the classroom with paraeducators as well as speech language therapists and occupational therapy,” Bennink said. “A teacher consultant helps work with his general education teachers to adapt materials for his developmental ability.”

Bennink said WISD special education services have had a significant, positive impact on Nathan’s overall education so far.

“It has absolutely been an imperative part of his education,” Bennink said. “He would not be able to access the curriculum or have nearly as strong of an ability to learn without having those services provided for him in schools.”

As the chair of the Parent Advisory Committee at WISD, Bennink and members of the committee give input on the WISD service delivery plan, which outlines how special education services are provided throughout the county. Bennink said the committee serves as a point of contact for families in the community who have questions or concerns about special education and the services provided to their children.

“I often present to our board of education, sharing resources with the community, and not just resources for families, but also resources for educators,” Bennink said. “We also work to clarify standing special education law and implementation, so that if parents come to us, we can make sure that we have the most up-to-date and accurate information.”

Bennink said renewal of the millage and well-funded special education programs would elevate the community as a whole.

“I would say that when our students with disabilities are well supported by having the support staff and the support services that they need, then that allows your general education teachers to focus their efforts on general education populations,” Bennink said. “Students with disabilities are in a typical classroom, your general education teacher teaches the class as a whole, because she has support from her teacher consultants or her special education teachers.”

Daily News Reporter Barrett Dolata can be reached at bdolata@umich.edu.

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