Oakland County schools seek new tax to bypass funding limits. Some cry foul

Oakland County voters will decide whether to raise per pupil funding for every public school district in the county
About 44% of public school students in the state already attend a school with this type of funding
One critic says is not enough specificity to what schools will use funds for

School finance measures often fly under the radar during Michigan elections, including next Tuesday’s primary.

But a measure on the ballot in Oakland County is raising questions about whether residents who are already paying state and local taxes meant to go toward education should have to shell out additional money to bolster schools outside their home districts.

Voters in Oakland County, one of Michigan’s largest and wealthiest jurisdictions, will decide Tuesday on a proposed regional enhancement millage that would provide an additional $781 per student per year to local districts.

If approved, Oakland would join eight other Michigan counties — and one region spanning two counties — that levy property taxes regionally to supplement the money that local districts get from the state. Unlike school bonds or sinking funds, which districts have to use for specific local projects, money from an enhancement millage can be used for day-to-day operating costs like teacher pay.

“This is the only game in town as it comes to help districts with operational costs in certain areas,” said Michigan Association of School Boards Executive Director Don Wotruba.

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Oakland’s request comes as costs are rising and school leaders are frustrated about the state’s school funding efforts.

About 44% of Michigan students attend a school that benefits from an enhancement effort, but experts acknowledge this type of effort can expand inequities.

Many public school advocates decried lawmakers’ and the governor’s decision to use a record $1.7 billion of School Aid money toward higher education instead of exclusively on K-12 efforts.

Local districts have wide discretion on how enhancement millage funds are used, much like the state per pupil foundation allowance each district receives.

Oakland County Republican Chair Vince Patrick is opposed to the Oakland enhancement millage, telling Bridge “there’s no clear vision of what it’s going for.”

a sign encourages a no vote on a school tax — The Oakland County Republican Party is encouraging voters to vote against a regional enhancement millage. If passed, schools would receive more per-pupil funding, but Oakland County Republican Party Chair Vance Patrick said the measure has “no clear vision of what it’s going for.” (Ella Miller/Bridge Michigan)

On a webpage explaining the millage proposal, Oakland County school districts say this type of measure is “the only mechanism school districts may use to increase per-student funding that can be used for all budgetary needs.”

If the Oakland measure is approved, almost 60% of students statewide would be under an enhancement millage, according to Craig Thiel research director at the Citizens Research Council of Michigan.

Here is what to know about these types of school funding efforts.

What is an enhancement millage?

It is a regional property tax generating money that’s then redistributed across the public schools in the county. Because different communities have different populations and home values, it’s possible to have “donor districts,” where the homeowners pay into the fund more than their local district will receive.

Taxpayers would pay 1.5 mills for six years. If a home is worth $300,000, the homeowner would be required to pay $225 a year for the tax, according to a tax calculator linked on the enhancement millage website.

The intermediate school district would distribute money on a per-pupil basis for local traditional districts and charter schools in the area. They would receive an estimated $781 per student per year.

Are these efforts new?

No.

The state’s Proposal A reform moved the state away from local property taxes funding schools and instead put state leaders in charge with deciding how much schools get in operating expenses.

Just a few years after Proposal A was passed, Monroe County approved an enhancement millage. Now, there are nine intermediate districts with them: Charlevoix-Emmet, Kalamazoo, Kent, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Ottawa and Wayne.

Oakland County borders both Wayne and Macomb counties that have enhancement millages. The county also borders Washtenaw County, which failed to pass an enhancement millage in 2009.

How do these efforts play into the broader picture of school funding?

Michigan school districts are set to receive $10,300 per student this upcoming school year, as part of the budget deal signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week.

But school leaders and school finance experts contend that schools are still underfunded.

exterior of a building — Oakland County Intermediate School District, headquartered in Waterford Township, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Oakland Schools Superintendent Kenneth Gutman said district leaders want certainty with funding, but ultimately it’s up to voters to determine if a tax increase is worth it. (Ella Miller/Bridge Michigan)

School leaders “want some sense of certainty and stability,” said Jason Helsen, associate executive director of the Michigan School Business Officials. An enhancement millage can provide certainty, he said, but he acknowledges “maybe it kind of magnifies the haves and haves not, maybe even inequity.”

Plus, some districts in Oakland County already receive more than the state per pupil allotment. There are 10 “hold harmless districts” in Oakland County, according to a presentation by the Citizens Research Council.

These districts would also receive the additional $781 per student if the millage passes.

Is the enhancement millage a fair way to fund schools?

Many point to the School Finance Research Collaborative’s research on how much Michigan should be funding its schools. The group recommends a weighted funding formula where districts receive additional funds for students from low-income backgrounds, English language learner status and other factors.

Whitmer recently signed legislation codifying this type of funding formula.

When asked to comment on enhancement millages, Robert McCann, who has been involved with the School Finance Research Collaborative, told Bridge: “in a perfect world, we wouldn’t be asking for these types of things.”

What can Michigan schools use these enhancement millages for?

Schools have wide latitude on what they use the funds for. The Oakland Schools’ website outlining the proposal says districts could use the funds to “maintain excellent staff by increasing teacher pay,” “maintain appropriate staff-to-student ratios,” and improve safety efforts, among other things.

But the website also acknowledges that “actual use would be determined by each school district.”

Patrick, the Oakland County Republican chair, said, “Give me some specifics. What’s this going to do? How is this going to better education in Michigan?”

Berkley Superintendent Scott Francis said if the millage passes, his school board and administration has committed to using 90% of funds for teacher recruitment and retention.

“We feel like our staff are our greatest resource and we want to invest in them,” said Francis. “And so we also believe that good teachers, good staff and investing in them will only improve student success, and student achievement and student wellbeing.”

Will the millage pass?

It’s unclear if the millage will pass but onlookers acknowledge that voters will have to decide if they can afford a tax hike while other household costs are rising.

“The cost of living right now, the cost of gas, I think all of that factors into whether people feel that they individually can afford to pay more,” said Oakland Schools Superintendent Kenneth Gutman.

“There are so many factors, though. And ultimately that’s why we leave it to the voters to vote their conscience and to decide whether the value proposition for schools and kids is worth it.”

What other school measures are on the ballot?

Oakland is the only county asking for an enhancement operating millage on Tuesday. But Ionia County Intermediate School District is asking for an increase in its operating millage to help students with disabilities, according to Gongwer News Service.

Statewide, there are nine school bond requests. Among the largest, Harper Creek Community Schools near Battle Creek is aiming to borrow $28 million for construction, safety and technology efforts while Jefferson Schools in Monroe County is requesting $28.7 million for building upgrades and safety and security efforts.

There are 21 districts seeking a renewal or increase to their sinking funds, according to Gongwer.

Sinking funds are pay-as-you-go savings accounts that districts can use for renovating buildings, school security, and buses but cannot be used to pay staff wages.

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