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It takes a Village to Raise a Child!

Ironically, Browning Elementary PTA Leaders selected “It takes a Village to Raise a Child” as its theme for the 2011-2012 school year a few months ago.  We’ve just learned that the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) is holding a countywide special education millage election on NOVEMBER 8 that will impact every student in Macomb County! 

What timing!  Together, we can all make a difference in the lives of EVERY child…… not just our children & our school but  for all the students at Bemis, Ford II, UCS schools, and other districts in Macomb County!

 Fact 1) More students than ever require special education services. 

 One in seven students in Macomb County’s public, parochial and private schools – nearly 20,000 children – now receive special education services. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of school children with autism and other cognitive impairments or health-related issues who require these services.

Fact 2) The MISD millage would benefit ALL students.

 The funding would benefit all students by relieving the pressure on our district’s general operating budget to support existing special education programs.

  Fact 3) It’s funding that would stay in our local schools.

 Unlike the school aid fund which is administered by the state legislature, the funds would stay in Utica Community Schools to help restore special education funding losses due to Michigan’s decline in revenue and taxable property values.

 Fact 4) Utica Community Schools could receive $6 million annually.

The ballot proposal is a 1.2 mill special education property tax request being asked of all property owners in Macomb County. The funding is projected to provide $27 million each year that would be shared among all Macomb County school districts based on enrollment, with the largest share coming to Utica Community Schools – estimated to be $6 million the first year.

 Fact 5) It would cost an average homeowner approximately 20 cents a day.

The cost to the owner of a $120,000 home ($60,000 taxable value) would be roughly $72 a year.  However, there could be little or no increase after applicable tax credits are taken.  To determine how this millage affects your taxes, please go to: www.mytaxcalc.com/MacombISD. 
 
 For more information, visit www.uticak12.org.  Together, we can make a difference!