HANCOCK – On May 5, voters in Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties will decided on renewal of a 10-year, 0.9797 mill for continued funding for the Copper Country Intermediate School District’s Career and Technical Education programs.

CCISD Superintendent Jim Rautiola emphasizes the request is for a continuation of current funding and not a request for a additional millage. The renewal would fund a continuation of CTE funding for the next 10 years.

Since the millage first passed in 2017, the CTE program has grown significantly and it has permitted businesses to grow and expand, while at the same time expanding the local economy and the job market. Local businesses have begun voicing support for the millage renewal, citing examples of the program’s success.

Braun Rosenlund, a partner with Bay Electric, in Dollar Bay, said his company has benefited extensively from the CTE Work-base learning program that CTE provides, as have several of his employees.

“It’s a resource the ISD provides early on, and I know even for the guidance counselors in the local schools, it’s a resource to discuss with students who are maybe not considering college,” Rosenlund said. “We’ve definitely benefited from that with students coming in and learning early on, before they turn 18, and getting some experience in the industry, then they can go immediately into the field when they graduate. Several of our electricians have gone through the program.”