Voters across Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties will decide Nov. 3 whether to continue a special education millage that supports services for more than 1,000 students in the Copper Country Intermediate School District.

The Hancock-based district is asking for a 20-year replacement of its 0.2903-mill special education levy, which CCISD says is the same rate levied in 2026. The measure, which would run from 2027 through 2046, is estimated to raise about $601,033 in its first year, according to a CCISD announcement posted Aug. 17.

That money pays for speech, occupational and physical therapists, classroom paraprofessionals, social workers, school psychologists, adaptive technology and behavioral support programs across all 14 local school districts within the CCISD.

If the measure fails, CCISD says it would face a $601,033 annual operational deficit that would likely lead to reductions in student resources and services.

"This replacement millage simply maintains the existing rate to preserve essential resources such as specialized therapists, adaptive technology, and behavioral support," Superintendent Jim Rautiola said in the district's August announcement.

The current authorization expires with the 2026 tax levy. Official Houghton County ballot language says the proposal would allow CCISD to continue levying 0.2903 mill for another 20 years, from 2027 through 2046. CCISD says that is the same special education millage rate levied in 2026.

Jennifer Beaudette, CCISD's early childhood director, said the funding is especially critical for younger students, giving families access to early intervention that supports development. About 200 early childhood students in the district need some level of special education programming, according to MyUPNow.

Centralizing special education through the intermediate district also shields local school boards from absorbing high-cost specialized care into their general operating budgets, according to the CCISD announcement.

Residents can find ballot language and program details at copperisd.org.