On Nov. 5, Wayne County residents voted to renew the Wayne County Regional Enhancement Millage to help ensure our students continue to have access to the tools needed to succeed in the classroom, workforce and beyond. We are grateful communities across the county chose to support this millage renewal that is vital to the success and safety of our students.
This renewal will provide funds to help Wayne County schools continue to provide a world-class education to students in a safe, secure learning environment throughout 33 school districts and 90-plus eligible public-school academies.
As Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) superintendent, I have the unique pleasure to work collaboratively with superintendents across the county, and they often share the tools needed to ensure engaging teaching and learning for students to be able to compete for the in-demand, high-wage jobs of today and tomorrow.
This millage renewal will help our districts keep and attract highly qualified teachers, which helps maintain smaller class sizes and equip our classrooms with the latest tools proven to improve learning. It will also help local districts strengthen school safety and security and provide engaging, innovative and real-world educational opportunities for all students, including supporting special education programs and services.
Several Wayne County school districts will use the millage renewal to fund high-quality career and technical programs in fields such as construction, business management, nursing and engineering. Others will use it to hire additional teachers and support staff or allocate funds toward security improvements, including cameras and upgraded parking lot lighting.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to educating our students, and I'm excited to see this millage renewal help address each of our school community's unique needs at the local level.
As someone who has spent my career in education, I know tax dollars are more precious than ever. This millage renewal ensures 100% of its revenue goes directly to Wayne County districts and eligible public-school academies. We will continue to adhere to fiscal responsibility measures to ensure it produces results for our students.
Thank you, voters, for passing the Wayne County Regional Enhancement Millage Renewal so we can continue to invest in the success of our greatest asset -- our children.