All districts — With more than 63% saying “yes,” voters on Tuesday renewed and restored the 0.9 mill regional enhancement millage, a levy that has provided funding for all 20 K-12 public school districts in the Kent ISD area for the past eight years.
Voters approved the proposal 64,402 to 37,612, according to unofficial Kent County results. The millage also received 622 “yes” votes and 889 “no” votes in Ottawa County, and 43 “yes” votes and 91 “no” votes in Muskegon County.
Related: See the results of other district proposals in Kent County
Originally approved in 2017, the regional enhancement millage, which provided about $330 per pupil to districts in 2024-25, is projected to generate approximately $35.6 million annually for public school districts and charter schools within Kent ISD.
“I’m incredibly appreciative for the support voters showed for the regional enhancement millage,” said Kent ISD Superintendent Ron Gorman. “During these uncertain financial times, it’s refreshing to see our communities stand behind public education.”
The 10-year renewal will take effect in the 2027-28 school year. Revenue from the millage will be distributed on a per-pupil basis to every K-12 school district and charter school within Kent ISD.
In the past, local districts have used the funds to reduce class sizes by hiring additional staff, expanding reading and math interventions, increasing Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment opportunities, improving mental health services, and funding building upgrades, among other things.
The current millage is set to expire in the 2026-27 school year. Due to the Headlee Amendment, it has been reduced to 0.8498 mills. Tuesday’s approval renews the existing levy and also adds 0.0502 to restore it to the full 0.9 mills. The fully renewed millage will cost an owner of a home with a $200,000 taxable value about $180 annually.
“It’s evident our residents value education and the more than 100,000 students served in schools across our area,” Gorman said. “Thank you to everyone who helped inform their communities about this important millage, and to the voters for their continued investment in the success of our students.”
Local superintendents said the regional enhancement millage has helped pay for a variety of needs, and they appreciate the resource.
“We are grateful for our community’s support of the Kent ISD millage,” said Byron Center Superintendent Kevin Macina. “This funding allows Byron Center Public Schools to hire staff, offer mental health services, enhance educational programs and more. These millage funds help us invest in our people and programs, strengthen what we offer our students and continue the great work already happening in our schools.”
Wyoming Superintendent Craig Hoekstra said the renewal allows the district to continue providing programming, supplies and services to students, eliminating the need for such things as pay-to-play fees for sports.
“That is an extension of great things happening all around Kent County. Kent ISD is a great partner to Wyoming on so many things and this is another great example,” Hoekstra said. “It makes a difference in the lives of our kids and we will continue to utilize those enhancement dollars to remove roadblocks and obstacles for them.”
Added Comstock Park Superintendent David Washburn, “The passage of the regional enhancement millage is a tremendous win for Comstock Park and all the districts within Kent County! It ensures stable, reliable funding for our schools so we can continue investing in classrooms, technology, and student support. This success reflects our community’s strong commitment to education and to our students’ future.”
Reporters Erin Albanese and Alexis Stark contributed to this story.
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