News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Associate Superintendent for Business and Operations Mary Lyon discusses the purchase of Chromebooks Monday night at the Alpena Public Schools board meeting.

ALPENA — The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education passed its general appropriations budget for the 2025-2026 school year on Monday night at their regular meeting. The fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30.

All board members were present.

APS Associate Superintendent for Business and Operations Mary Lyon said she figured that the district would receive $10,000 per pupil, putting their revenue at $53,845,896 and expenditures at $54,094,242 for fiscal year 2026.

However, the budget for fiscal year 2026 cannot be set in stone until the state passes its final budget, she said at a workshop meeting on June 23.

The board also passed budgets for the student activities fund, food service fund, the 2020 bond capital projects, and the 2021 energy bond capital projects, long-term maintenance, and long-term technology in that motion.

The revenue for the student activities fund is a governmental fund. The fund is used for a variety of school activities and clubs. The budget for the fund is balanced at $305,822. Individual clubs have accounts where they can add or take away funds from that balance.

In fiscal year 2026, the revenue is expected to be $3,250,074, and the expenses are expected to be $3,249,236 for the food service fund.

The long range technology budget is expected to bring in $199,482 in revenue and $555,403 in expenses, leaving a deficit of $355,921.

The long range maintenance budget is expected to have a revenue of $200,000 with expenses of $945,819 leaving a deficit of $745,819.

The 2020 bond capital projects series two budget for fiscal year 2026 is expected to be $4,590,164 in expenses and revenue will be $200,000 from interest.

The 2021 energy bond capital projects is expected to cost $16,779 in expenses and earn $100 in revenue from interest in fiscal year 2026.

The board also approved Form L-4029 to enact the 2025 levy operating millage of 17.9154.

The district levies those mills to spend on operations. The local government levies property taxes from Alpena and Presque Isle counties, where all properties have a total taxable value of $1,456,971,586. The total taxable value excluding principal residence, qualified agricultural, qualified forest, industrial personal, and commercial personal properties is $567,322,766.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

*Director of Curriculum for grades six through 12 Matt Poli discussed how the district should approach AI in the future. A team of Alpena High School staff led by Ashlie O’Connor, the Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District instructional technology and data specialist, has been discussing policies and expectations for the use of AI.

*Superintendent Dave Rabbideau discussed the Rehmann Pulse survey 2025 results. Staff throughout the district participated in the survey to share their thoughts about working for the district.

*The board voted to adopt the preamble and resolution of the 2024-25 general appropriations final budget amendment resolution.

*The board voted to adopt the 2025-26, 80-20 cost share preamble and resolution. The cost share is an agreement for the district to pay 80% of employees’ health care while the employees pay 20%.

*The board voted to approve the purchase of 600 new Chromebooks as part of a replacement rotation and 300 for the incoming sixth grade class. The Chromebooks are from the Regional Educational Media Center Association of Michigan.

* The board voted to approve Alpena Public Schools’ continuing participation in Schools of Choice 105 and 105c for the 2025-2026 school year. The board renews and authorizes participation in State of Michigan Schools of Choice each year, which allows them to enroll students that reside in other districts.

*The board voted to approve the 2025-2026 Board of Education meeting schedule.

*Board member Eric Lawson made a motion to add an action item about the Kallman contract and board member Monica Dziesinski seconded the motion. The motion was approved six to one.

*The board authorized the superintendent to conclude negotiations and discussions on this contract and sign it. The motion carried with a vote of five to two. Board President Anna Meinhardt and board member Sarah Fritz voted against the motion.

*Rabbideau presented the mid-year progress report on the strategic plan. He discussed the five pillars: academics and programs, whole child development, personnel, family and community partnerships, and stewardship. The delivery phase of the plan will begin in August. One part of that phase will be the launch of a monthly staff newsletter. There will also be a quarterly community newsletter. Rabbideau also discussed training staff in teacher clarity.

*The board voted to approve the United Steel Workers (USW) Local 211 three-year agreement through 2027-2028.

*The board voted to approve the USW Local 207 three-year agreement through 2027-2028.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.