Career and Technical Education millage information

Career and Technical Education in Char-Em ISD has been funded by a dedicated millage, which is up for renewal with voters every four years. On this page you will find information regarding the May 2022 millage election, which was approved by voters. Read about the 2022 millage approval 

The next millage renewal election will be held in May 2026. Answers to FAQs can be found below.

On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, voters throughout Char-Em ISD approved two Career and Technical Education proposals: The core renewal/restoration of 0.75 mills, and an expansion of career tech with a 0.25 mills request.

The first request, 0.75 mills renewal/restoration of the core CTE millage, passed by 66%, 7,307 yes votes to 3,753 no votes. The second request, a 0.25 mills expansion of CTE, was approved by 60 percent of voters, with 6,531 yes to 4,423 no votes.

Below are breakdowns by county:
Results show that in Charlevoix County, 2,125 people voted yes for millage number one and 1,275 voted no. On the second proposal, an expansion of CTE with a 0.25 mill request, 1,822 voted yes and 1,250 voted no.

Results in Emmet County show 3,920 voting yes for the first proposal and 1,911 voting no. The second proposal pulled 3,586 yes votes and 2,260 no votes.
Voters in Burt, Hebron and Monro townships in Cheboygan County, which are part of the ISD’s region, approved the first proposal by 113 to 60. They approved the second proposal by 102 to 61.

Results from Antrim County townships in the ISD, including Banks, Central Lake, Echo, Jordan, Torch Lake and Warner townships, show 648 approved the first request, with 350 people voting no. For the second request, 585 voted to approve while 400 voted no.

Facts and FAQs about Career Tech

WHAT IS ON THE BALLOT?

On May 3, 2022, voters in Charlevoix, Emmet and northern Antrim counties will be asked to consider two ballot proposals for funding Career and Technical Education in Char-Em ISD. You can read the official ballot language below.

THE TWO PROPOSALS

Renewal/Restoration of the core 0.75 mills Career Tech millage. This millage has been approved by voters since 1996. It would allow for:

• Operation of the current 47 career and technical education programs throughout Char-Em ISD’s 11 public school districts.
• Servicing of existing CTE programs with technology and curriculum demands.
• Connectivity in our schools
• Student CTE experiences across a spectrum of opportunities for exploring post-secondary options and paths.
• CTE Career counseling
• A growing number of CTE summer camps, which now include Career Academy for Kids, Welding Academy (2 weeks), Construction Technology Academy, Operation: Bravehearts. 
• Unique projects like a traveling STEM trailer visiting students K-8 with STEM activities.  

This millage would generate approximately $4.6 million per year. How much would this millage cost a homeowner? 0.75 of a mill is equal to approximately $75 per year for a $200,000 home with a taxable value of $100,000.

Expansion of Career Tech with 0.25 mills request

This request would:

• Provide increased career tech programs and opportunities across the region.
• Alleviate transportation barriers faced by districts in transporting students to career-tech related activities, such as career expos and tours of colleges and technical training schools, and CTE programs in districts.
• Allow for additional CTE courses including for specific trades; examples could include HVAC, electrical, plumbing; unmanned vehicle technology; medical occupations; and other areas with expected large job growth.
• Support school-to-work career counseling specialists.
• Provide additional CTE summer camp options. 
• Provide competitive wages for CTE instructors to entice professionals from the private sector into the classroom in order to properly prepare students with the skills they’ll need in the skilled trades. 

This millage would generate approximately $1.5 million per year. How much would this millage cost a homeowner? 0.25 of a mill is equal to approximately $25 per year for a $200,000 home with a taxable value of $100,000.

HOW ARE FUNDS GENERATED FOR CTE DISTRIBUTED?

Char-Em ISD disburses funding to all 11 public school districts based on a formula that includes program instruction, technology, connectivity, career counseling, regional activities, and ISD supports. 

WHERE DO I VOTE?

Voters will cast ballots at their usual polling location or via absentee if available/requested. To request an absentee ballot, contact your township clerk’s office. Absentee ballots will be in the mail beginning around March 24, 2022.  Applications for ballots will be available mid-March. 

WHO CAN VOTE?

Registered voters in the 11 Char-Em ISD school districts can vote: Alanson, Beaver Island, Boyne City, Boyne Falls, Central Lake, Charlevoix, East Jordan, Ellsworth, Harbor Springs, Pellston, and Petoskey.

HOW LONG HAS THE CTE MILLAGE BEEN IN PLACE?

The CTE millage was first approved by voters in four-year increments starting in 1996. It has been approved by a 70+ percent majority at each renewal. 

IS THERE SUPPORT FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE CTE MILLAGE LEVY?

In 2021, Char-Em ISD commissioned a survey company to poll likely voters in our region, in order to determine whether to request a renewal of the CTE millage or to request a renewal and an expansion.

Of those polled, 80 percent said they support the CTE renewal millage request. Of those who currently support CTE, 80 percent said they would support an increase in career tech opportunities for area youth. 

HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN CAREER TECH PROGRAMS?

Approximately 1,500 high school students throughout Char-Em participate in career tech classes each year. Approximately 80 percent of students in our region take at least one CTE course during high school.

CAN MY STUDENT PARTICIPATE IN A CAREER TECH PROGRAM IN ANOTHER DISTRICT? 

Yes. Any student in any Char-Em ISD district can enroll in any career tech class in any other district. They are required to arrange transportation themselves at this time. It’s expected that the expansion millage dollars, if approved, would be used to develop transportation options among school districts for students. 

WHAT PROGRAMS ARE CURRENTLY OFFERED THROUGHOUT CHAR-EM ISD?

You can find descriptions of all the Career Tech programs listed here, their locations, and accompanying videos, at this link: 

Agriscience and Natural Resources

Audio Engineering & Video Editing

Automotive Technology

Aviation Science and Technology

Business Management and Administration

Construction Technology

Culinary Arts

Drafting and Design Technology

Future Educators Academy

Graphic Arts/Visual Imaging

Health Occupations

Machine Tool Technology

Marketing

PowerSports Technology

Public Safety

TV and Film Production & Broadcasting

Unmanned Vehicles

Welding, Brazing and Soldering

Woodworking and Furniture Making

WHAT IS CHAR-EM’S ROLE IN CAREER TECH?

Char-Em ISD plays a critical role in the planning of regional Career and Technical Education programs and services. The ISD assists with support staff and provides additional funding for school-to-work activities such as job shadowing, mentoring, college and university visits, and work-based learning. For students with disabilities, Char-Em provides support for work study and vocational assessment.

COULD LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS FUND CAREER TECH WITHOUT A MILLAGE?

It would be extremely challenging given the current budget, and programs would close. Under state law, local school districts cannot ask voters to fund career tech education specific to their district. It must be done on a regional basis through an intermediate school district. If a district were to provide career tech programs, they would be funded from the district’s general fund. 

WHY DOESN’T CHAR-EM HAVE A CAREER TECH CENTER LIKE IN OTHER AREAS?

Due to the large geographical region of Char-Em ISD – over 1,000 square miles – and the numerous inland lakes that bisect our area, a centralized career tech center wasn’t a reasonable choice. Instead, programs are housed in local school districts and open to any student in any district who is interested in attending. 

IS CAREER TECH A HIGH SCHOOL ONLY INITIATIVE?

Not in Char-Em ISD. In our region, career and college readiness activities span grades K-12, with age- and grade-appropriate activities beginning with having the youngest students tour career vehicles. Career fairs, career speakers, expos, and more activities take place as students progress through the grades. By middle school, counselors are regularly working with students on career planning goals utilizing software provided by the career tech millage, Xello. 

Career tech millage dollars also contribute toward internet connectivity and technology services throughout our districts. Often, equipment that is used in CTE programs can be passed to other grades for their use.  

CTE summer camps are available for kids in grades 2-12, and provide early career exploration disguised as fun and exciting camp programs. Career Academy for Kids, Welding Academy, Construction Technology Academy, and Operation: Bravehearts are Char-Em’s current camps funded in part by CTE dollars.

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If you have questions about the Career Tech millage, contact Scott Koziol, Char-Em ISD Superintendent.