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CCISD Superintendent: $200,000 in federal money will support connectivity needs

The Copper Country Intermediate School District Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting virtually on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Superintendent Stockero and REMC Director Mike Richardson informed the board that under the MiConnect project, the CCISD is receiving over $200,000 through the state of Michigan from the federal CARES act. These funds are targeted to help with short-term connectivity needs for students related to the COVID-19 pandemic. REMC1 and the CCISD are working with our local districts to identify the areas with the greatest need, to try to ensure the maximum benefit from these funds.

The latest FCC broadband maps show nearly 4,000 unserved households in our three county area – households without access to foundational base connectivity to the Internet. Richardson stated, “While these funds cannot begin to fix the full scope of the problem, we are working diligently to provide as much long term benefit for our local communities as possible.”

Superintendent Stockero and General Ed Director Carla Strome informed the board that the Copper Country ISD has been selected as one of three ISDs in Michigan to participate in a Michigan Department of Education grant entitled Project AWARE. The CCISD will receive approximately $2 million over the next five years for the purpose of developing a comprehensive program for youth mental health services.

Strome informed the board that the goals of the grant include:

— Increasing awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth (ages 5-18).

— Providing training for school personnel and other adults who interact with school-aged youth, including community partners, to detect and respond to mental health issues.

— Increase access and connection to school and community-based mental, emotional, and health services for school-aged youth who may have behavioral health issues including serious emotional disturbance or serious mental illness, and their families to needed services.

CCISD will hire a manager for the project as well as a mental health provider to provide services for students and families and Copper Country Mental Health will receive funding for a co-director for the project.

Stockero stated that the Copper Country ISD was chosen by the state because it has a proven record of success implementing programs and has earned very strong reputation.

In other action, the Board:

— Approved Monthly Reconfirmation COVID-19 Extended Learning Plan

— Approve Bid for Tuckpointing the CTE Building with MJO Construction

— Approved Increase in Substitute Teacher Rate to $125

— First Adoption of Revised NEOLA Policies

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