Education Unpacked: Episode 1, Part 2 | ISD Governance

In this episode, host Micki O’Neil and Jason Mellema, Superintendent of Ingham ISD, unpack the often-confused topic of how intermediate school districts (ISDs) are governed—and how that structure differs from local school districts.

Download the full Transcript

The ISD “Middle Layer”

ISDs function as the bridge between the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and local school districts (LEAs), including traditional districts and public school academies (charters).

With 56 ISDs across the state, these regional agencies coordinate services, audit data, manage special education funds, and help local districts meet state and federal reporting requirements.
They also channel critical information upward to MDE and back down to schools—helping systems stay aligned and compliant.

Who Serves on ISD Boards?

Here’s where ISD governance stands apart.

• Local district boards are elected by the public in nonpartisan races.

• ISD boards, on the other hand, are elected by the boards of education from the local districts within that ISD’s boundaries—not by the general public.

This process is defined in statute and takes place annually on the first Monday in June.
Candidates must file just like any other school board race, but with a few unique rules:

• No more than two ISD board members can come from the same local district (for example, only two from Holt or East Lansing).

• ISD board members represent the collective interests of all districts, not one community.

Who’s Part of Ingham ISD?

Ingham ISD serves 12 traditional school districts, ranging from small rural systems (Dansville, Leslie, Stockbridge, Webberville) to suburban districts (Haslett, Williamston, Holt, Okemos, Waverly, Mason, East Lansing) and the Lansing School District, its largest and most urban partner.

Altogether, Ingham ISD supports 41,000–42,000 students, making it the 8th largest ISD in Michigan.

Collaboration, Not Control

One of the biggest misconceptions: local districts don’t “report to” the ISD.
Each district has its own board and superintendent. The ISD’s role is support and compliance, not oversight.

“I don’t hire anyone in a local district,” Mellema explains.
“We work in collaboration—with services like special education, professional development, and data reporting—but governance stays local.”

ISDs handle things like:

• Auditing pupil accounting reports that go to MDE

• Managing special education funds (as a direct sub-recipient under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA)

• Ensuring students receive FAPE—a Free and Appropriate Public Education—through compliance and support

How ISDs Are Funded

Local districts rely mainly on per-pupil funding (the foundation allowance), while ISDs are supported through millages and grants.

Ingham ISD operates millages for:

• General Education

• Special Education

• Career & Technical Education (CTE)

These appear on local property tax statements and fund services that benefit schools across the county.
ISDs also manage federal and state grants that flow through them to support programs for students, families, and staff.

Why ISD Governance Matters

Understanding who governs ISDs helps clarify how regional education systems collaborate—and why they’re essential for equity, efficiency, and shared expertise.
ISD boards, drawn from local leadership, ensure that community voices shape how supports and resources are distributed across schools of all sizes.

Learn More

To explore how Ingham ISD serves its partner districts, visit inghamisd.org.
Find more stories from Michigan classrooms and podcasts like this one at BackPackPress.org.