Special Education Millage on May 6 Ballot: What You Need to Know

Spring Lake Public Schools encourages our community to be informed ahead of the May 6 vote, which includes an important regional proposal—a special education millage from the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD).

To help explain the proposal and its potential impact, Superintendent Dennis Furton recently joined 92.1 WGHN for a conversation about how special education is currently funded at the local level. In the interview, Superintendent Furton highlighted how school districts are required by law to provide special education services, yet often receive only partial reimbursement for the full cost of these services. This funding gap can place pressure on general education budgets, affecting programs and staffing across the board.

The proposed enhancement millage aims to address that gap, helping ensure that dedicated funding is available to support special education students across Ottawa County. The funds would be shared proportionally among OAISD's member districts, including Spring Lake Public Schools, and would help offset costs that local districts currently cover.

The interview with Superintendent Furton offers a clear and concise explanation of this issue and what the proposed solution means for our schools and community.

🎧 Listen to the full interview here: WGHN Interview with Superintendent Furton

📘 Learn more about the proposal here: OAISD Millage Information

We encourage all voters to take time to review the facts and make an informed decision on May 6.