For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Shanley, Communications Director
PAW PAW, MI — Paw Paw Public Schools is sharing information with the community about a non-homestead operating millage proposal that will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. The proposal asks voters to authorize a 1.0-mill operating millage increase on non-homestead property. The requested authorization would cover five years, from 2027 through 2031, and is intended to provide a cushion against future millage rollbacks under Michigan’s Headlee Amendment.
Paw Paw Public Schools has previously been authorized to levy 18 mills for operating purposes on non-homestead property. Under the Headlee Amendment, millage rates may be reduced when taxable property values increase faster than inflation. The district predicts its operating rate will fall below the 18-mill level beginning in 2027 without additional authorization.
Who does the millage apply to? The operating millage applies only to non-homestead property, which can include:
Business property
Rental property
Vacation or second homes
Other property not exempted by law
A homeowner with a single principal residence does NOT pay the non-homestead operating millage.
The district does not expect to levy the full additional 1.0 mill immediately. Based on current projections, Paw Paw Public Schools expects to levy approximately 0.1188 mill in 2027 to counter the projected Headlee rollback and maintain the district’s ability to levy up to 18 mills.
The district predicts the 2027 adjustment would generate an estimated $24,190 in additional operating revenue. Over five years, the projected operating revenue loss would be approximately $450,000.
Revenue from the operating millage can be used for day-to-day school operating expenses, including staffing, classroom resources, transportation, utilities, student programs and building operations. The funds cannot be used for major capital construction projects.
“Our goal is to make sure our community has clear, factual information about what is on the ballot, who the proposal affects and how the revenue may be used,” said Superintendent Jeremy Davison. “We encourage residents to review the official ballot language and learn more about the proposal before Election Day.”
Additional information about the proposal, including the official ballot language, is available at ppps.org.
For questions about the proposal, please contact Superintendent Jeremy Davison at 269-415-5200, or email: jeremy.davison@ppps.org.
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