Rochester-area families would see $781 per pupil flow to their schools each year if Oakland County voters approve a 1.5-mill enhancement millage on the Tuesday, Aug. 4 primary ballot, according to Oakland Schools projections.

The six-year tax would generate more than $130 million in its first year countywide, with revenue distributed on an equal per-pupil basis to all public school districts, public school academies and charter schools in Oakland County, according to Oakland Schools Superintendent Kenneth Gutman. Rochester Community Schools, which operates 22 schools, would be among the recipients.

For a Rochester Hills homeowner with a taxable value of $200,000, the millage would cost about $150 per year, according to millage proponents. Oakland County Commissioner Bob Hoffman, an opponent, argued the figure understates the real impact. Hoffman said the average Oakland County home has a taxable value closer to $400,000, which would put the annual cost near $300. Michigan's taxable value is typically lower than market value due to Proposal A caps, so the actual cost for most Rochester-area homeowners would depend on their individual assessment.

How the money would work

The Oakland Intermediate School District board voted 3-1 in March to place the proposal on the ballot after school boards representing a majority of the county's student population passed resolutions requesting the measure.

Gutman emphasized that the ISD would keep none of the revenue.

"Revenue is distributed to local school districts and eligible public school academies based on a per-pupil formula," Gutman told The Oakland Press on July 17. "Each school district and eligible public school academy gets funding proportional to enrollment, not property wealth."

If approved, the tax would be collected beginning December 2026. The funding is unrestricted, meaning Rochester Community Schools could direct it toward teacher salaries, capital improvements, curriculum, school safety or other needs.

Supporters and opponents

Waterford Schools Superintendent Adam Martin said the millage could help Oakland County districts compete for teachers with Wayne and Macomb counties, which already levy enhancement millages of 1.9 mills each. Martin said Oakland County has struggled to stay "regionally competitive" in hiring because neighboring districts can offer higher pay.

Oakland County is one of the few large Michigan counties without a dedicated countywide enhancement millage, according to Oakland Schools, which supports the proposal. About 600,000 students statewide, roughly 44% of Michigan's public school enrollment, live in counties with similar taxes, according to Oakland Schools data.

The Oakland County Republican Party opposes the measure. Brian Szmytke, the party's finance chair, called it a "$131 million tax grab," arguing that higher per-pupil spending has not improved Michigan's national education rankings.

How to vote

Early in-person voting begins at 8:30 a.m. July 25, and runs through 4:30 p.m. Aug. 2. Rochester Hills and Oakland Township voters can cast early ballots at the Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road, Rochester. Rochester city voters should contact their local clerk's office for early voting locations.

On Election Day, Aug. 4, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.