Why does this millage matter? State and federal funding doesn’t fully cover the cost of special education. Without the millage, local schools must use general education funds to make up the difference. The Special Education Millage fills that gap, so general classroom budgets are protected while students with disabilities get the support they need. Get the facts at KRESA.org/millage.
2 days ago, Portage Public Schools
Graphic with the text “Why does the Special Education Millage matter?” and a child seated in a blue chair.

Election Day is tomorrow!

Kalamazoo County voters will see the Special Education Millage Renewal on the ballot. This is not a new tax, it renews the existing millage first approved in 2015 and renewed in 2021, continuing at the same rate for homeowners. The millage generates approximately $16.8 million each year that KRESA disperses to local school districts to help pay for legally required special education services including speech and occupational therapy, teachers and classroom aides, assistive technology, and specialized instruction.  State and federal funding doesn’t cover the entirety of these costs; this millage helps districts fund these services and protect schools’ general fund dollars that are allocated for other programs and services. 

Get informed by visiting kresa.org/millage


3 days ago, Portage Public Schools
A graphic featuring a young Black boy sitting at a desk holding a pencil, looking up thoughtfully. Text over a teal background reads: "Election Day is May 5, 2026. Be Informed."
Every district in Kalamazoo County benefits – whether it’s speech therapy, occupational therapy, classroom aides, or assistive technology, these services are funded by the millage so all students with disabilities can succeed. This May, voters will decide on renewing that support. Get the facts at KRESA.org/millage.
9 days ago, Portage Public Schools
Graphic reading ‘In Our Schools, Millage funds at work’ alongside a joyful moment of an adult seated in a classroom chair hugging a child. Teal and yellow design elements frame the image.

We are working hard to be sure your student is prepared for life after high school. Your input on this survey will help us better understand your needs and your student’s needs as they relate to Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR). Your responses are anonymous, meaning your name will not be associated with your answers. The results of this survey will be used for informational purposes and will help us make decisions about programs and services that will benefit you and your student.

NOTE: Throughout this survey you will see the word "postsecondary." Please keep in mind the term “postsecondary” means “AFTER high school.”

There will be an open-ended question at the end of the survey for you to share any thoughts you may have about the survey or career development and postsecondary planning.

Any questions about this survey can be directed to Dr. Tracy Speaker-Gerstheimer, tspeakerg@portageps.org.


Take the Family Survey


13 days ago, Portage Public Schools
Why does this millage matter? State and federal funding doesn’t fully cover the cost of special education. Without the millage, local schools must use general education funds to make up the difference. The Special Education Millage fills that gap, so general classroom budgets are protected while students with disabilities get the support they need. Get the facts at KRESA.org/millage.
14 days ago, Portage Public Schools
Graphic with the text “Why does the Special Education Millage matter?” and a child seated in a blue chair.
Happy Secretaries Day from all us at Portage Public Schools
15 days ago, Portage Public Schools
Happy Secretaries day , April 22, 2026
What is the Special Education Millage? It’s a renewal of the existing 1.5-mills property tax that funds special education services in Kalamazoo County. This means continued support that’s been in place for years. The millage helps all local school districts pay for mandated special education programs. Learn more and read the full FAQ at KRESA.org/millage.
16 days ago, Portage Public Schools
Text reads “What is the Special Education Millage? It’s a renewal, NOT a new tax.” An adult smiles while supporting a smiling child in a wheelchair, framed by teal and yellow graphics.
Mark Your Calendar: May 5, 2026, is Election Day for the KRESA Special Education Millage. This proposal is strictly a renewal, so a YES vote would continue the 1.5 mills levy at the same rate, and a NO vote would end it. Make sure you’re registered and know your polling place or absentee ballot deadlines. Find voter information at Michigan.gov/vote or contact your local clerk.
21 days ago, Portage Public Schools
A graphic featuring a young Black boy sitting at a desk holding a pencil, looking up thoughtfully. Text over a teal background reads: "Election Day is May 5, 2026. Be Informed."
Every district in Kalamazoo County benefits – whether it’s speech therapy, occupational therapy, classroom aides, or assistive technology, these services are funded by the millage so all students with disabilities can succeed. This May, voters will decide on renewing that support. Get the facts at KRESA.org/millage.
23 days ago, Portage Public Schools
Graphic reading ‘In Our Schools, Millage funds at work’ alongside a joyful moment of an adult seated in a classroom chair hugging a child. Teal and yellow design elements frame the image.
Why does this millage matter? State and federal funding doesn’t fully cover the cost of special education. Without the millage, local schools must use general education funds to make up the difference. The Special Education Millage fills that gap, so general classroom budgets are protected while students with disabilities get the support they need. Get the facts at KRESA.org/millage.
28 days ago, Portage Public Schools
Graphic with the text “Why does the Special Education Millage matter?” and a child seated in a blue chair.
What is the Special Education Millage? It’s a renewal of the existing 1.5-mills property tax that funds special education services in Kalamazoo County. This means continued support that’s been in place for years. The millage helps all local school districts pay for mandated special education programs. Learn more and read the full FAQ at KRESA.org/millage.
29 days ago, Portage Public Schools
Text reads “What is the Special Education Millage? It’s a renewal, NOT a new tax.” An adult smiles while supporting a smiling child in a wheelchair, framed by teal and yellow graphics.

Dear Parent/Caregiver,

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are conducting a survey in partnership with Studer Education to monitor our progress in creating a positive school experience for you and your child(ren). Your feedback is crucial in helping us identify areas for recognition and improvement.

The survey will ask you to select the school your child(ren) attends. Once you complete the survey for 1 school, you will have the option to provide feedback on another school, if you have a child at another school in the district. Providing feedback to each school should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. We encourage you to complete it in one sitting, as your responses will be saved once you click submit.

Take the Parent/Caregiver Survey

The survey is scheduled for 4/6/2026 through 4/24/2026.

To maintain confidentiality of the Parent/Caregiver Survey, our partners at Studer Education will be administering the survey, managing the data collection, and aggregating the data to provide results reports to leaders. 

Thank you for your partnership,

29 days ago, Portage Public Schools
QR Code for Parent/Caregiver Survey
Today is the day!Join us for a Community Gallery Walk at Amberly Elementary. You are invited to join Amberly Elementary Principal Dr. Andy Fuehr and members of the design team to learn more about the design process and construction of the new Amberly Elementary School.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
6:00 pm to 7 pm
6637 Amberly St.
Portage, MI

Light refreshments will be provided.
about 1 month ago, Portage Public Schools
Amberly Community Gallery Walk Graphic
Mark Your Calendar: May 5, 2026, is Election Day for the KRESA Special Education Millage. This proposal is strictly a renewal, so a YES vote would continue the 1.5 mills levy at the same rate, and a NO vote would end it. Make sure you’re registered and know your polling place or absentee ballot deadlines. Find voter information at Michigan.gov/vote or contact your local clerk.
about 1 month ago, Portage Public Schools
A graphic featuring a young Black boy sitting at a desk holding a pencil, looking up thoughtfully. Text over a teal background reads: "Election Day is May 5, 2026. Be Informed."
Every district in Kalamazoo County benefits – whether it’s speech therapy, occupational therapy, classroom aides, or assistive technology, these services are funded by the millage so all students with disabilities can succeed. This May, voters will decide on renewing that support. Get the facts at KRESA.org/millage.
about 1 month ago, Portage Public Schools
Graphic reading ‘In Our Schools, Millage funds at work’ alongside a joyful moment of an adult seated in a classroom chair hugging a child. Teal and yellow design elements frame the image.
Join us for a Community Gallery Walk at Amberly Elementary. You are invited to join Amberly Elementary Principal Dr. Andy Fuehr and members of the design team to learn more about the design process and construction of the new Amberly Elementary School.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
6:00 pm to 7pm
6637 Amberly St.
Portage, MI

Light refreshments will be provided.
about 1 month ago, Portage Public Schools
Amberly Community Gallery Walk graphic
Happy Spring Break. PPS will be closed from Friday, March 27 until Monday, April 6 2026
about 1 month ago, Portage Public Schools
Happy Spring Break. PPS is closed until April 6, 2026
Why does this millage matter? State and federal funding doesn’t fully cover the cost of special education. Without the millage, local schools must use general education funds to make up the difference. The Special Education Millage fills that gap, so general classroom budgets are protected while students with disabilities get the support they need. Get the facts at KRESA.org/millage.
about 1 month ago, Portage Public Schools
Graphic with the text “Why does the Special Education Millage matter?” and a child seated in a blue chair.
What is the Special Education Millage? It’s a renewal of the existing 1.5-mills property tax that funds special education services in Kalamazoo County. This means continued support that’s been in place for years. The millage helps all local school districts pay for mandated special education programs. Learn more and read the full FAQ at KRESA.org/millage.
about 1 month ago, Portage Public Schools
Text reads “What is the Special Education Millage? It’s a renewal, NOT a new tax.” An adult smiles while supporting a smiling child in a wheelchair, framed by teal and yellow graphics.

School spirit is strong with the Class of 2040! Soon-to-be Kindergarten and Young-5 students and their families attended Registration Night on March 19th to meet their Principals, get questions answered and complete the steps to start school in the Fall. If you missed it, don't worry. You can get all the information you need to start the registration process by visiting portageps.org and clicking on the box that says "Enroll at PPS"!

about 2 months ago, Portage Public Schools
Young boy in sunglasses
Wide view of registration event with people at various information tables
Young girls coloring at a table
Young girl getting her first school t-shirt.