OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Oakland County voters have rejected a regional property tax increase that would have boosted funding for public schools across the county.
The countywide enhancement millage would have cost homeowners an additional $1.50 per $1,000 of taxable home value and generated about $780 more per student each year.
Districts would have been able to use the money at their discretion.
Now, some educators say the vote could have immediate consequences.
“When they made the decision to vote no, they were essentially saying our children are not worth it,” said Candice Ridley, president of the Pontiac Education Association. “And I disagree with that.”
Ridley said she was hoping the millage would pass to support both classroom resources and staff compensation.
“Our conversations were, first and foremost, we’d already bargained with our district that all the teachers under our contract would get a 2.7% raise, so now that’s out the window,” Ridley said. “We also talked about paying for field trips, paying for instruments to get repaired, paying for licensing rights to put on plays.”
While the proposal failed, it was close.
Voters who opposed the millage cited both economic pressures and concerns about overall tax burdens.
“I, for the first time ever, voted no,” said Kristin Watt. “I’m very passionate about education, and I’m very passionate about having an educated society and want to support our children; however, as someone who lives in north Oakland County, I live in Holly, we’re already paying a higher millage.”
Watt said the economy and a lack of trust in some elected officials also influenced her decision.
Several other voters Local 4 spoke to off camera echoed economic concerns as their main reason for voting no.
Those who supported the proposal said they saw it as an investment in students and local schools.
“I have three little grandkids in the public school system here in Rochester, and I’m very happy with the school they go to,” said Marylou Logar, a Rochester Hills resident. “I just hope for the best future for them, so I thought passing the millage would help.”
In a statement released after the vote, Oakland Schools said, “We respect the election’s outcome and the will of Oakland County voters,” said Oakland Schools’ Superintendent Kenneth Gutman. “We appreciate everyone who took the time to participate in the democratic process and remain committed to supporting our local school districts and the students they serve.”