News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Alpena Public Schools Board members discuss the approval of the student/parent handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year on Monday night.

ALPENA — Alpena Public Schools has long been represented by the legal firm Thrun Law Firm P.C. of Lansing, but the possible addition of Kallman Legal Group had the community in a stir.

The APS Board of Education met Monday night for their regular board meeting, where Thrun and Kallman were both up for a vote on the agenda to represent the district in legal matters. The board voted to retain Thrun and voted against Kallman as auxiliary legal representation in a split vote. Board member Sarah Costain was absent from the meeting.

The idea of hiring Kallman was first introduced by board member Eric Lawson when the board discussed implementing a policy about bathrooms similar to Fairview Area Schools physical privacy Policy 5900.

The policy regulates the use of restrooms, locker rooms, and showers by gender non-conforming students. Fairview’s policy dictates that facilities that are designated for one biological sex shall only be used by members of that biological sex.

The policy defines biological sex as “the biological condition of being male or female as determined at birth based on physical differences, or, when necessary, at the chromosomal level.”

Thrun advised the board not to implement the policy, as it would violate the district’s anti-harassment policies as well as the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights act.

Kallman then came into the discussion as a firm that could give a second legal opinion on the Fairview policy.

The policy has not been discussed much in recent meetings, but a possible contract with Kallman has continued to be on the agenda.

The board voted to renew Thrun Law firm for another year. Board Member Monica Dziesinski voted against the motion, and all other board members voted in favor.

The board voted to decline Kallman Law Group as an auxiliary legal firm. The board was split three to three. In a split vote, the motion fails. Board Members Anna Meinhardt, Sarah Fritz, and Eric Hansen voted against the motion to hire Kallman as an auxiliary legal firm, and Board President Eric Lawson, Dziesinski, and Board Member AJ MacArthur voted in favor of the motion.

The board also held their annual election to the offices of president, vice president, and treasurer of the board.

Meinhardt declined her nomination for president by Fritz, explaining she has had to handle issues that she disagrees with, like the addition of Kallman’s legal counsel, that she feels would be better suited to a different nominee. Dziesinski nominated Lawson, who was voted in as president.

Fritz nominated Hansen, the former vice president, to stay in that position, but he declined the nomination saying that it is too much of a time constraint for him. Monica Dziesinski nominated MacArthur, and he was voted in.

MacArthur nominated Costain for treasurer. Costain was voted in.

Summer Seigler was appointed as the board secretary.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

~ The board approved Policy 0175.1 which pertains to attendance of board members to MASB conferences, academies, workshops, and applicable board member certification classes in Michigan.

~ Straley Lamp & Kraenzlein, P.C. was approved as the auditor for APS in fiscal year 2026

~ The board voted to authorize the utilization of any investment type allowed by the Revised School Code and state laws for the purpose of investing school funds during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

~ The board voted that the following financial institutions be assigned as depositories for funds for 2025-2026: Huntington Bank, Nicolet, Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, and Michigan Liquid Asset Fund.

~ The board voted to adopt the preamble and resolution authorizing automated clearinghouse (ACH) arrangements and electronic transfers.

~ The board voted to approve membership in the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), MASB Legal Fund Trust, School Equity Caucus, and the Northern Michigan Schools Legislative Association.

~ The board appointed Fritz and Meinhardt as the Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District Liaison and Alternate Liaison, respectively.

~ The board voted to appoint the board president, vice president, and treasurer as the MASB voting delegates.

~ The board voted to approve the 2025-2026 code of conduct.

~ The board voted to approve the 2025-2026 student/parent handbooks.

~ The board voted to adopt the preamble and resolution for 2025-26 Michigan High School Athletic Association membership.

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