Ironwood Area Schools asks for millage renewal

IRONWOOD — The Ironwood Area Schools is asking voters in the school district to renew its operating millage at a special election on May 7.

Superintendent Travis Powell said the millage rate of 18 mills, or $18 per every $1,000 of taxable valuation, is a renewal of the millage that will expire this year.

“The passing of the Operating Millage Renewal Proposal on May 7 will not affect or impact taxes on primary residences in the Ironwood Area School District,” Powell said in a release. “Therefore, your yearly taxes will be very close to 2024. This proposal will maximize the amount of state funding our district will receive.”

“The state requires districts to ask voters to reaffirm their intention to fund their local school district with local tax dollars every so often. For Ironwood, that happens approximately every four years. Our last operating millage passed solidly in 2020,” Powell said.

These periodic votes are commonly known as a Headlee override, relating to the Headlee Amendment to the state’s constitution.

“This millage proposal is a renewal with a slight increase to make up for Headlee erosion,” Powell said.

The current millage of 17.847 will expire in 2024 and the district is asking voters to restore the .153 mill that was lost as a result of a reduction over the past four years required by the state’s constitution, said Powell.

If approved, this proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required to receive its full revenue per pupil foundation allowance.

“The millage renewal process is required by Michigan law. If the proposal fails, the district will lose approximately $2,121,793 from its budget which is approximately 23% of the total budget. The state will not make up that lost amount,” said Powell.

Ironwood Area Schools needs “every dollar it can generate in order to continue to provide all students with a quality education,” said Powell.

“Our goal at IAS is to provide the best educational environment and opportunities possible for our community’s children,” he said. “We wish to thank members of our school community for their ongoing support and investment in our youth.”