HANCOCK?- Funding for a literacy coach and an acknowledgement from the Michigan State Police were two of the topics on the table at the Copper Country Intermediate School District’s regular meeting Tuesday.

According to a release from the CCISD, the board discussed Michigan Department of Education Early Literacy funding available to intermediate school districts in the state. The board approved applying for funds, and a literacy coach will be hired.

The literacy coach will focus on supporting kindergarten through third-grade teachers who have students not achieving at a level needed to pass the state third-grade reading assessment. Specific services will include data interpretation, guidance on developing learning plans, modeling high-quality lessons, coaching and providing feedback. The duties will also include professional development around key literacy components.

The literacy coach will work directly with districts and the CCID’s Multi-tiered Systems of Support Team to coordinate efforts, and will be available to districts as they develop improvement plans around literacy challenges for early elementary students.

CCISD?Superintendent George Stockero informed the board that he and Carla Strome, CCISD Curriculum Coordinator, will meet with all local elementary school principals and superintendents to solicit feedback on how to best utilize the coach’s services.

Stockero also reported that the Michigan State Police awarded the CCISD with a certificate honoring the district for achieving a 100 percent pass rate for school bus safety inspections for the 2014-15 school year. A congratulations letter will be sent to the transportation staff.

The CCISD also received a letter from the Michigan Department of Education commending the District for its successful compliance efforts in the recent McKinney-Vento On-Site Review. A letter of appreciation will be sent to the District’s Homeless Liaison, Loret Roberts, for her work on this project.

The board learned Our Lady of Mercy is in need of nurse aides, and had asked the CCISD to run an adult Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) class in the fall, outside of the regularly scheduled classes. Stockero recommended Beverly Terrill, who has taught adult classes for the ISD in the past.

Tuition for six out of ten students taking the class will be paid for by Our Lady of Mercy, and the students will have full-time jobs immediately with the nursing home. Stockero commented that is just one example of how the ISD can help a community need.

Stockero also informed the Board that the District saved $2,000 in just one month by having the school car.

In other action, the Board:

Adopted its annual summer property tax levy resolution.

Approved changes to check signatories and electronic transfer designees.

Approved the final adoption of new and revised policies.

Appointed three individuals to the Parent Advisory Committee for Special Education as follows: Zack Halkola, Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools; Lisa Casper, Hancock Public Schools; and Bobbie Jo Holombo, Houghton-Portage Township School District.

Renewed a contract with BHK Child Development Board for reimbursement of paraprofessional support for students with IEP’s in BHK operated programs.