Voters throughout Char-Em ISD on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, approved a 1.0-mill request from Char-Em Intermediate School District to continue funding Career and Technical Education (CTE) throughout Charlevoix, Emmet, and northern Antrim counties.
This millage has funded CTE programs and initiatives for 30 years, since the first approval in 1996, followed by approval by voters every four years thereafter. It will generate approx. $8.2 million per year.
“We remain grateful for the continued support of our voters to maintain this critical funding source for vocational education,” said Char-Em ISD Superintendent Scott Koziol. “I believe we were able to get the message across about the incredible programs and initiatives that are funded by this millage that directly benefit and impact students.”
Jim Rummer, Director of Career and Technical Education for Char-Em ISD, said he, too, is grateful for the continued support of voters, as the ISD has worked hard to expand career and college readiness initiatives across the kindergarten through 12th grade spectrum.
“In Char-Em ISD, CTE is K-12. We are thankful our voters recognize the significance of the work our team puts forth to provide every opportunity possible for students to be prepared for college and careers through our many initiatives,” said Rummer, who has served as CTE Director for nearly 20 years, including through several millage renewals.
Here are the unofficial breakdowns by county:
Antrim County: 729 Yes, 568 No (56% Yes / 44% No)
Charlevoix County: 3,110 Yes, 1,905 No (60% Yes / 40% No)
Emmet County: 3,911 Yes, 2,107 No (65% Yes / 35% No)
The most recognizable programming, perhaps, of the millage can be found in the 23 unique high school career tech offerings for area high school students that operate in more than 50 classrooms in each of the ISD’s 11 school districts, Rummer said.
“Thanks to voter support of this funding, over the decades we have grown our offerings to continue to meet workforce demands both locally, statewide, and nationally. We now teach students how to fly airplanes, repair utility lines, build homes, fix cars, become TV producers, tend to agriculture, diagnose and repair small engines, weld, and save lives through public safety careers, among many more,” Rummer said. “The trust our community places in us to create these incredible programs is not something we take lightly.
“We are committed to making sure our students in Northwest Michigan are as prepared as their peers anywhere when it comes to career and college readiness.”
The 1.0 mill millage levy also supports numerous kindergarten-12th grade initiatives such as Char-Em Street STEM, a mobile educational trailer delivering science, technology, engineering, and math tools to 5,000 kindergarten through 8th graders each school year in every district, charter schools, and parochial schools. It also funds six summer camps for K-12; career counseling; work-based learning; and tours of businesses, colleges, and trade schools, among many other efforts and innovations. Funding is also used to support students with disabilities find meaningful employment opportunities in our region, Rummer noted.
“I can say that every student in Char-Em ISD benefits in some way from these millage dollars,” he said. “And we will ensure that continues to be the case for many years to come.”
Superintendent Koziol said he believes residents in this region in particular value the importance of the skilled trades in their communities.
“I believe recognition of the importance of vocational education has never been greater,” Koziol said. “We are delivering education centering around these skills every day in these classrooms, with students gaining real-world skills and knowledge to succeed in these important careers and serve their communities. Once again, thank you to our voters for continuing to support these programs throughout Char-Em ISD.”