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Voters in the Copper Country Immediate School District approved a levy for 1 mil for 10 years to fund Career and Technical Education programs and CCISD Superintendent George Stockero is thrilled.
“I think I’m the most excited that it passed in every school district, so we had great support from all over the Copper Country,” said Stockero.
But what does this mean for Copper Country Schools? For the upcoming school year, all existing CTE programs will be free for any student in the local districts, according to Stockero.
He said “Our local districts can take the money that they had used for tuition and now reinvest it into their local schools, so that’ll be a big benefit for our local schools. We will now have a year of planning to put in all of the new class we are looking forward to.”
New programs include culinary arts, welding, early childhood, graphic design and marketing, as well as additions to the construction trades programs.
Taxes will increase slightly, but Stockero thinks it is a worthy investment.
“It roughly costs the majority of people $50 or less a year, but it will take care of all the needs we have been talking about,” said Stockero.
CTE Instructor Lorie Maki said the growth of CTE will lead to a well-trained, local workforce in the future.
“I always tell my nurse’s aide students that I have to bring them up right in a healthcare profession because someday, they’re going to be taking care of me in our community,” said Maki. “‘I’m very proud of our community and the kids.”
