MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Marquette and Alger County voters passed a special education funding increase for Marquette-Alger RESA Tuesday.
This proposal brings an increase in property tax by 1.5 mills for a 20-year period. MARESA hoped the millage increase would pass, giving the 13 districts within the two counties a $5 million increase per year for special education. The district notes schools have been operating in a $5 million deficit for years.
“Traditionally the last couple of decades have been pretty tough on public education and so what this ballot question and this revenue stream will do is it will provide some level of security for local school districts moving forward,” commented Marquette-Alger RESA Superintendent Dr. Greg Nyen.
Marquette-Alger RESA said the districts in previous years have had to subsidize the special education costs from the general fund. The 13 school districts across the two counties will see an increase in revenue starting with the summer tax collection.
