The SWWC Weekly
September 7, 2025
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Millage Proposal
CTE connects learning to the real world from PreK-12.
- CTE is an educational approach where students learn by doing, combining traditional, rigorous academic concepts with practical and technical skills. Through hands-on experiences, CTE helps spark students’ curiosity, discovery, and connection to the world around them. Students explore their interests and skills and then eventually match them to high-wage, high-skill, in-demand career pathways, such as robotics, health sciences, entrepreneurship, engineering, cybersecurity, aviation and aerospace, and more.
- Recent surveys show that more than 80% of Washtenaw students and parents believe CTE positively impacts students’ engagement, motivation, and academic achievement.
- In Washtenaw County, CTE programs are a launchpad for discovery, where learning is active, industry-connected, and designed to inspire the next generation of professionals. CTE gives students the chance to explore their purpose, passions, and potential through hands-on experiences, real world opportunities, and pathways that lead to college and career success.
- CTE has drastically evolved as the world has changed over the past decade, preparing students for lucrative career pathways like robotics, health sciences, entrepreneurship, engineering, cybersecurity, aviation and aerospace, skilled trades, and more. Millage funds could expand existing and create new CTE programs aligned with the workforce needs of our local industries by hiring certified instructors and purchasing cutting-edge equipment and technology.
CTE programs don’t limit futures—they expand them. In fact, 86% of Washtenaw CTE students enroll in college after high school. CTE students can earn industry-recognized certifications and early college credit, develop technical and transferable skills, and graduate confidently with a plan for lifelong success. Millage funds could cover related costs associated with certification exams and dual enrollment classes, saving students time and money before high school graduation.
Why is this on the ballot now?
Over the last four years, CTE enrollment in Washtenaw County has grown by 69%, even as overall student enrollment decreases. Additionally, hundreds of students are on CTE waitlists across the county.
Today in Washtenaw County, student demand for CTE programs exceeds the number of available spots. With student demand at an all-time high, a CTE millage would allow schools to meet that demand by expanding access in existing pathways and creating new CTE programs aligned with high-demand industries.
- Funds generated by the CTE millage would primarily support operational costs such as CTE instructors, teaching assistants and career readiness coaches, new CTE program development and expansion of existing in-demand programs, student transportation, PreK-12 career awareness and exploration, state-of-the-art technology and equipment, learning facilities, and more.
- Currently, Washtenaw County public schools spend $10.35 million on CTE programs using general operating funds. A CTE millage would reimburse all local public school districts for existing CTE expenses and also develop new countywide CTE learning opportunities.
For additional information, visit the WISD's website.
