Rochester Community Schools' nearly 15,000 students stand to gain about $781 each in new annual funding if Oakland County voters approve the Regional Enhancement Millage on Tuesday, Aug. 4. That per-pupil figure comes from the Oakland County Intermediate School District's projections for the countywide proposal. Rochester Community Schools has not publicly commented on the measure.

The 1.5-mill property tax would cost homeowners roughly $1.50 per year for every $1,000 of taxable value, according to the ISD. For a home with a taxable value of $200,000 (market value around $400,000), that works out to about $300 a year. The charge would first appear on winter tax bills in December 2026 and run for six years.

How to vote early

Early voting opened Saturday, July 25. Rochester Hills and Oakland Township voters can cast ballots at Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road, through Sunday, Aug. 2. On Election Day, polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What the money would cover

Unlike bonds or sinking funds, which are restricted to capital projects, the millage gives districts flexible spending authority. Novi Community School District Superintendent Ben Mainka told WXYZ on Tuesday, July 21, that state per-pupil funding is inadequate and that districts need room to fund day-to-day operations.

"With this proposed millage, what you're really doing is you're voting to say I want make sure that our schools have enough funds to be able to operate at the level that they have been," Mainka said.

He listed intervention services, transportation, extracurricular activities, athletics, curricula, and staff positions as potential uses. The specific gaps vary district to district, Mainka said.

County voters are split

WXYZ interviewed Oakland County residents outside the Rochester area who landed on different sides. Kate Larive of Wixom said she plans to vote yes, citing budget cuts to education. Janet Watson of White Lake opposes the measure, arguing that millages "keep going up and up and up" and that spending won't be localized enough for her district's students. Sue Grifor of Milford Township said she still had her absentee ballot at home and wanted to do more research before deciding.

Results are expected after polls close Tuesday, Aug. 4.