CCISD Receives “Gold Level” Rating From State

The Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD) is being recognized for its implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

Superintendent George Stockero shared the news with the CCISD Board of Education at its regular meeting on Tuesday.

MTSS efforts focus on getting best practices in education in place for all students. Interventions are also put in place for students who need additional support with either academics or behavior.

The efforts use a strong team approach, with these systems being developed by teams at the ISD, District, School and Grade levels who can consider local factors in their work.

The system uses common sense data systems to guide and evaluate their efforts, analyzing how well students are reading, how many major discipline referrals they have, attendance rates, and course completion.

Screening all students and having intervention systems in place proactively allows schools to take a preventative approach and intervene when problems first arise.

Stockero stated that the implementation of a MTSS is a priority of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

In alignment with this priority, the MDE and Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative (MIBLSI) have developed a process for identifying and recognizing ISDs, districts, and schools who are demonstrating strong outcomes and/or making progress related to meeting the needs of each and every learner through a multi-tiered framework.

Stockero shared with the board that he had received a letter from MDE congratulating the Copper Country ISD for being recognized at a “Gold Level,” the highest possible, for developing an infrastructure to support implementation of MTSS.

The Copper Country ISD is the only ISD in the state to receive the “Gold Level” recognition. In addition the Copper Country ISD will be recognized at the MIBLISI State Conference in Lansing on April 25.

Stockero expressed to the board that one of the biggest reasons for this success is that the ISD team works well together and with our local schools.

This team consists of Special Ed Director Kristina Penfold, General Ed Director Carla Strome, School Psychologists Lynette Borree and Gwen Stockwell, Behavioral Consultant Heather Mroz, Social Worker Kim Hendrickson, Literacy Coach Angela Emblad, and MTSS Specialist Sierra Bishop.

Though the ISD has been acknowledged in this field, the award is based on data from the work of our local schools, administrators, and teachers.

In other action, the Board: 

• Approved 5 year common calendar
• Hired Meghan Peterson as a permanent instructional/bus aide
• Accepted with regret, the resignation of instruction aide Michelle Larson
• Approved Peninsula Fiber Network contract for Fiber Services
• Approved Merit Network contract for Dark Fiber
• Hired Nicholas Turner as a System Engineer for REMC 1