Institutional Memberships:
Bruce Mayle, Superintendent
Email: bmayle@goisd.org

Marge Leaf, Dir. of Special Education
Shawn R. Kolbus, Dir. of Career and Technical Education

Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD is the most western ISD in the Upper Peninsula. The eight local districts in the ISD make up 2,524 square miles. County, State, and National forests make up a major portion of our landscape along with many inland lakes, streams and beautiful waterfalls. Lake Superior borders the ISD lands from Wisconsin to Ontonagon, and plays a major role in our economic climate by providing an average of 250 inches of snowfall a year. This provides for extensive skiing and snowmobiling activities for many months starting in November and not ending until early April.

The ISD sits 500 plus miles from Lansing, and is closer to three other state capitols than our own. Thus, teleconferencing and distance education has been a top priority. The ISD runs Career and Technical centers in both counties, and cooperates with Gogebic Community College to share facilities for its clients. Vocational programs serve many students with individual vocational programming. Computer repair classes have been recently instituted and provide A++ certification training for our students.

Our Special Education program offers several small incidence classes in each county, as well as PPI programs and Early On coordination. Recent developments in transition programming are on the rise as well as providing for autistic and behaviorally challenged students. Our general education staff is involved in curriculum development/alignment and integration of technology within. Literacy programs have been developed recently to assist local districts with younger students.

GOISD is an effective partner with CCISD in providing REMC services to our school districts, as well as partnering with GO Human Services Coordinating Board to provide activities and support in asset building, bully proofing your school, fetal alcohol syndrome, violence prevention, suicide prevention, and early childhood programming. The GOISD is also a partner in the (U.P.C.E.D.) Upper Peninsula Center for Educational Development. This is a cooperative effort between the seven Upper Peninsula ISD’s, NMU, MI Tech., and LSSU to provide professional development to all U.P. K-12 Educators.

Public school districts in service area:
Bessemer Area Schools
Ewen-Trout Creek Consolidated Schools
Ironwood Area Schools
Ontonagon Area Schools
Wakefield / Marenisco School District
Watersmeet Township School District