Election Day comes with important results for many area schools.
This Election Day voters in Marquette and Alger counties supported a special education millage that will have a positive impact on all twelve (12) public school districts and one (1) public school academy in our two-county area for the next twenty years.
Marquette-Alger RESA Superintendent Dr. Greg Nyen commented, “We asked the community members to tell us what the priority is. I am proud that the majority of voters in our community chose education as a priority.”
Dr. Nyen went on to say, “While the funds from this millage increase are earmarked for special education costs, we expect that the entire school community will benefit. School districts will no longer be forced to use so much of their general operating fund budgets to cover special education costs. The general fund dollars that will be freed up as a result can be used for improved learning environments, extracurriculars, facility improvements, and other priorities identified at the local district level.”
Special Education funding shortages have been a problem in Michigan for decades. Marquette-Alger RESA worked swiftly to get this millage on the May 2023 ballot to start providing districts with relief as soon as possible.
“Our local school districts will begin to see the positive impact of this funding as soon as next school year,” says Marquette-Alger RESA CFO Anthony Bertucci. Regarding Marquette-Alger RESA’s role, Bertucci added, “Marquette-Alger RESA put this millage on the ballot on behalf of the local school districts. We serve as the fiduciary for the tax dollars collected, and we will be distributing all of the funds to support the educational costs for students with disabilities in our local school districts.”
Dr. Nyen added, “This is a huge win for the students and staff in our local districts. I believe that strong schools are the cornerstones of strong communities. The results of this election signal to me that our communities are making the choice to invest in their future and become stronger together.”
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