Retiring CCISD Administrators Recognized

The Copper Country Intermediate School District Board of Education held a public hearing to discuss the proposed 2018-2019 budget, followed by its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 19, 2018.

The Copper Country ISD Board recognized two long time administrators who are retiring, at their board meeting.  Shawn Oppliger, the CCISD’s Math/Science Center Director has been in that role for 20 years.  Oppliger has been instrumental in providing local K-12 STEM Professional Development for teachers and many STEM opportunities for all students within the Copper Country and Gogebic/Ontonagon counties. Oppliger’s greatest accomplishment was starting the area-wide Science Fair, which has become an integral part of many local schools’ curriculum.

The second administrator honored at the meeting was Special Education Director Chris Salo.  Salo has worked for the CCISD for 30 years, first as a speech therapist, then as the Special Education Supervisor, and finally as the Special Education Director for the last ten years.  Salo coordinates all Special Education services throughout the Copper Country and must work with all the local superintendents, as well as many local agencies.  Salo was responsible for coordinating and providing services for special education students from birth until the age of 26.  Salo has earned the respect of all local superintendents and community.

School Board president Bob Tuomi presented both administrators with a bouquet of flowers and a big “Thank You” for their years of service to the CCISD and the children of the Copper Country. Superintendent George Stockero echoed Tuomi’s sentiments, stating that both Oppliger and Salo were great assets to the Copper Country and made his job much easier by their hard work and dedication.

In other action, the Board:

• Approved a revised 2017-18 budget.
• Adopted its 2018-19 budget resolution
• Set the date for its organizational meeting for Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 5:30 p.m.
• Approved a 5-year common calendar for schools in Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw Counties.
• Approved the CCISD’s 2018-19 school calendar.
• Approved a contract with Finlandia University for provision of a CTE Marketing, Sales and Service course for 2018-19.
• Approved contracts to provide business services to the Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools and Stanton Township Public Schools.
• Hired Emily Gochis as STEM Center
• Hired Carla Strome as Director of General Education.
• Hired Jennifer Beaudette as Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator.
• Hired Jennifer Roose as Early On Service Coordinator.
• Hired Sarah Hampton and Lori Fortin as Early Childhood Special Education/Early On Providers.
• Hired Katie Daavettila and Alison Ruonavaara as Instructional/Bus Aides.
• Hired Alison Ruonavaara as an additional classroom/bus aide for the summer program.
• Approved salaries and contracts for the Special Education, General Education and STEM Directors.
• Approved salary increases for REMC 1 staff.
• Discussed and approved the first adoption of the latest proposed revised and replacement policies from NEOLA, Inc.
• Approved an arts grant application to Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs.
• Accepted a bid from Aire Care of Houghton, Michigan, for a new air conditioning and heating system for the REMC wing of the Hecla Street facility at a cost of $17,500.
• Appointed Zack Halkola to a three-year term on the Parent Advisory Committee for Special Education, representing the CCISD.
• Approved a contract with Functional Behavioral Services, LLC, of Marquette, Michigan, for behavioral services for a student at the Learning Center.
• Hired Leon Hayrynen as a part-time custodian.