Also known as vocational education, CTE provides students with academic knowledge and hands-on skills in a variety of career fields. These programs prepare students for both college and careers by offering practical, real-world learning experiences in industries like healthcare, engineering, robotics, manufacturing, business, and skilled trades. Students engage in classroom learning, hands-on experiences, and internships and job shadowing. With strong partnerships, innovative programs, and a commitment to student success, we can help build a skilled workforce that benefits our students, our community, and businesses in our region. Learn more about the value of CTE programs.

The Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District (COPESD) is one of 56 intermediate school districts in the state of Michigan. Serving schools in Cheboygan, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties, COPESD works in partnership with regional school districts and the Michigan Department of Education to enhance student learning and improve educational opportunities. Along with CTE and vocational programs, the COPESD provides specialized services like early childhood education, special education, professional development for educators, and technology support. Other than the CTE Summer Academies and Camps, the COPESD is one of just 15 Michigan intermediate school districts that do not receive any CTE millage funding. Additionally, the district facilitates state and federal educational initiatives, promotes innovation in teaching, and provides guidance to school districts in areas like curriculum development and student assessment. COPESD serves the Cheboygan Area Schools, Gaylord Community Schools, Inland Lakes Schools, Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools, Mackinaw City Public Schools, Onaway Area Community Schools, Posen Consolidated School District, Rogers City Area Schools, Vanderbilt Area School District, and Wolverine Community School District.

A CTE millage is a property tax levy that provides funding for technical/vocational education programs in schools. All of the revenue generated by this levy would support hands-on training, updated equipment, industry certifications, and work-based learning opportunities for students preparing for a variety of careers. A CTE millage is a key tool for sustaining and growing CTE programs. Most intermediate school districts in Michigan have a CTE millage in place. However, COPESD is one of 15 in Michigan that does not.

CTE represents a powerful partnership that brings together local school districts, businesses, and educators to expand career-focused learning and opportunities for students. These efforts are based on a collaborative approach: School districts host programs that are open to students from Cheboygan, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties. Industry partners advise COPESD and school districts on curriculum and program development to align student learning with the current and emerging needs of the regional workforce. COPESD has a group of business, agency, and school partners focused on eliminating barriers across our region to help foster more of these opportunities to connect the students with skills and careers within our communities. A collaborative, regional plan can help ensure that students in all school districts have available CTE program offerings. By taking such an approach, we can collectively offer a greater variety of technical and vocational programs than any single school district could provide alone, expanding opportunities for students while providing much greater stability for the programs themselves.

Currently, CTE and vocational opportunities through COPESD are only available in four out of 10 school districts in our region. Our goal is to expand these programs to all 10 districts and enhance existing programs.

A community survey was conducted by COPESD in 2024. Of the 1,207 respondents, 94% agreed that COPESD’s plans to enhance and expand CTE opportunities in its three counties were a good idea. Sixty-nine percent of respondents answered affirmatively when asked if they would likely be in favor of a CTE millage of up to one mill.

On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, residents of Cheboygan, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties will vote on a proposed CTE millage. If it’s approved by a majority of voters, 100% of the funds generated by this levy will be used to create and expand CTE programming and opportunities throughout the education service district. The question that will appear on the ballot reads as follows: Shall Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District, State of Michigan, come under sections 681 to 690 of the Revised School Code, as amended, and establish an area career and technical education program, which is designed to encourage the operation of area career and technical education programs, including for vocational training purposes, if the annual property tax levied for this purpose is limited to 1 mill ($1.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 6 years, 2026-2031, inclusive; the estimated of the revenue that Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $4,824,559 from local property taxes authorized herein?

If decided by voters, the measure on the November ballot would increase the mill rate by $1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value for a period of six years (through 2031). This mill rate increase would affect property owners in Cheboygan, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties.

If the CTE millage is approved by our voters on November 4, 2025, it will remain in place for six years. Voters could be asked to renew the millage before it sunsets in 2031.

A CTE millage would allow COPESD to expand career and vocational programming to all 10 school districts in our service area and enhance existing programs. Currently, these programs are only offered in four of the 10 area school districts—Cheboygan Area Schools, Gaylord Community Schools, Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools, and Inland Lakes Schools.

Eligible voters can register online through the Michigan Voter Information Center. You can also register at any time up to 8:00 p.m. on election day (November 4) at your city or township clerk’s office. If you are registering another way, your voter registration application must be received or postmarked at least 15 days before the election. Visit Michigan.gov/vote for assistance locating your clerk’s office.