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‘Going to hibernate a little’

Diane Block retires from APS after 20 years

News Photo by Julie Goldberg Diane Block, seen here recently at her office, is retiring on Monday after 20 years working for Alpena Public Schools.

ALPENA — After 20 years of working with Alpena Public Schools, Diane Block is retiring to start a new chapter in her life.

Block, who has been the district’s associate superintendent for business and operations, said she’s retiring this year because the district is in good hands, having escaped a budget deficit and getting through a transition to a new superintendent, John VanWagoner.

“I was leaving the district in a good place fiscally and knowing that we didn’t have a totally new central office administrative staff,” Block said.

Before coming to Alpena, Block worked in public accounting for 10 years, for Isabella County for four years, and for Mount Pleasant Public Schools for four years.

Alpena’s budget was in a deficit until this year, which Block said wasn’t the district’s making and happened because of other factors that weren’t involved with the school.

“It wasn’t of our own making, and we worked so hard to address our declining enrollment, which is our mini-local issue,” Block said. “As soon as staff stepped up, it was just a matter of time to get out of it.”

Block said the district is at the jump-off point to do other things, like a possible bond proposal in 2019. Block said Alpena is also doing a lot with student-driven instruction.

VanWagoner has worked with Block since he became superintendent in June 2016 and said that Block is the ultimate professional and a respected and intelligent individual in her field. He said Block knows her stuff as well as anyone.

“It was a joy to work with her,” VanWagoner said.

Block said VanWagoner has helped lead change in the district over the past few years. She said he always has new ideas and is an advocate for making things better.

“He comes with different perspectives,” Block said. “He’s bringing an awful lot to the table that gives a breath of fresh air and a new viewpoint.”

Mary Lyon, who will replace Block as the new associate superintendent of business and operations, has worked alongside Block since the summer and VanWagoner said it should be a smooth transition for Lyon and the district.

“We’re thrilled to have Mary on board,” VanWagoner said. “I’m impressed with her knowledge and excited to have her here with the background that she has.”

Block said Lyon will do great and probably lose a little sleep, as Block said she did occasionally.

“With the responsibility comes the worry,” Block said. “She’s well-poised and has the experience for this.”

Block said she’s really enjoyed working for Alpena and didn’t expect Alpena to be home, but it is.

“I’ve been really blessed to have this job,” she said. “I guess, from outside looking in, it might not be obvious, but having worked other places, I think I can honestly give that perspective that the organization is really well-run and it’s the people everywhere that make that.”

Block’s immediate retirement plans are to do nothing in January and into February except read books and take some walks. She wants to see what retirement is like before jumping into anything like volunteering.

“My goal is to kick back and not do anything and see what it’s like,” Block said. “I’m going to hibernate a little, and then I’m going to poke around and see what’s out there.”

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.

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