KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Educators in Kalamazoo County are preparing for big changes to career and technical education programs after a voter approved millage kicks in following the new year.
The Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency asked voters to approve funds to expand programs at the ballot box in November, which they did by a resounding 20% margin. All new tax money drawn from the millage will be allocated during the 2020 school year.
The KRESA millage was introduced after administrators voiced concerns over a lack of cohesiveness in the services offered by the programs. The new tax will direct money toward the centralization of technical and job training programs offered by the county meant for all K-12 students.
Founded in 1985, KRESA offers job training and technical education to area students in 9 partnering school districts.
According to the agency, the 1-mill property tax is anticipated to raise nearly $8.3 million dollars per year for the duration of 20 years. As a portion of value, it will cost the owner of a home worth $150,000 about $75 each year.
One of the new programs launched with the new funding in mind is Career Awareness and Exploration, a job readiness program that aims to familiarize students with different careers and the skills needed to succeed in today’s workplace. School leaders say the program will be especially beneficial for county high schoolers, supplementing the traditional role of the advising office.
in addition to career education, a new CTE (career technical education) leadership team consisting of 15 educators has been tasked with surveying current programs and laying out a roadmap for strengthening programs over the next year. KRESA officials say that they are encouraged by the enthusiasm among students and teachers for a revamped CTE program.
Initiatives in the works include a new career center holding programs specifically meant for high school students that would be partially funded through private donations. Administrators are currently asking for private donations to fund the center, but have left the possibility open of using the money derived from the millage to atleast partially pay for the project.
