GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Voters across Kent County will see a different type of school millage request when they head to the polls May 2.
The Kent County Intermediate School District is requesting an Operational Enhancement Millage, which will benefit all 20 school districts in the county. It is the first time the ISD has made such a request.
Unlike a bond proposal, which can only be used for resources like buildings, technology and buses, an Operational Enhancement Millage can go directly to the district’s operating budget. That means it can be used for everything, from staffing to adding or enhancing program offerings.
“It will help fund our basic programs for kids, to help provide the things that make a school work,” explained Dan Behm, superintendent of Forest Hills Public Schools.
“Sometimes people go by and they say, ‘Well the school looks nice,’ but that doesn’t tell the story that we might be having a difficult time funding teachers, buying basic school supplies that are needed when budgets get tight,” added Behm. “This won’t resolve every fiscal challenge that public schools have, but this certainly helps.”
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