News Photo by Reagan Voetberg School buses dropped off students at Sanborn Elementary for the first day of school on Monday morning.

ALPENA — On Monday evening, a number of community members, as well as a few people from outside the community, came to speak to the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education about issues the board has discussed this past year, including the proposed student physical privacy policy modeling Fairview’s Policy 5900, the Kallman Legal Group contract, and the rain garden.

During the public comment period, community members representing both sides of the issues spoke to the board.

Two APS instructional assistants spoke to the board about their staff meeting on Aug. 18, where both said they feel they are not appreciated by the district for the work they do.

A third instructional assistant also spoke on that subject, saying she feels she has never felt respected on the grounds that she should be respected.

Katherine Bussard, a board member for Potterville Public School District just outside of Lansing, spoke about her appreciation of the board’s decision to hire Kallman and adopt a physical privacy policy. Bussard stated that for five generations, her family has been invested in the Alpena community, and she cares what happens here.

Bussard said she has personally known Attorney David Kallman for over 20 years.

“He is truly one of the most brilliant attorneys, especially on education and civil rights, that I have ever met,” she said. “And if you’re not aware of his full resume, he has represented numerous clients before the State of Michigan and the United States federal supreme court, particularly in matters pertaining to education.”

Other community members continued to voice their disagreement with hiring Kallman.

“The July vote on Kallman Law has been rescinded due to a parliamentary mistake and a search for loopholes,” community member Barbara Beamish said. “Our voices fall on deaf ears.”

Kerry Bentivolio, a former U.S. Congressman, made comments which had some members of the audience reacting vocally. He expressed his views against having drag queens visit public schools and talked about putting transgender students in special education classes.

“If you have a desire to be another sex, we will put you in the special ed class,” he said.

Board President Eric Lawson asked the audience to calm down or he would make sure that a sheriff’s deputy is present at meetings.

“You’re being disruptive,” Lawson said. “Would you like us to have sheriff’s deputies here and have them remove people who disrupt our forum?”

Other public comments centered around recent social media posts by board member Sarah Costain, the most recent being a post showing her support for the construction of a greenhouse at All Saints Catholic School.

Multiple community members were concerned that Costain voted against building a rain garden at Alpena High School but favored the idea of a greenhouse at All Saints Catholic School.

Costain addressed community members mounting concerns in a statement near the end of the meeting.

“I’ve shared openly that I am Catholic, that is my faith, and it is an important part of my life, and that guides how I serve my family, and my community, and I’ve never hidden it because transparency matters,” she said.

Costain has volunteered, donated to, and served students at both the private and public schools in the area, she said.

“I believe in supporting all kids in our community,” Costain said.

Outside of her role as a board member, she said, she has the right to free speech as written in the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

— A motion to add discussion of Policy 7544, Use of Social Media, to the agenda was passed at the start of the meeting. Board members Sarah Fritz and Anna Meinhardt were opposed to adding it to the agenda. No action was taken on the item. Superintendent Dave Rabbideau said he would talk to Neola about the policy.

— The board approved the APS Online catalog as presented.

— The board approved the Alpena Family Partnership courses as presented in the 25-26 District Online course catalog.

— The board approved the 2025-26 APS Athletic Handbook as presented.

— The board approved the motion to adopt the requirements for 2025-2026 full-time pupil status.

— The board approved the Contract Paper Group and Staples as approved vendors for the purchase of copy paper.

— The board approved the bid of $48,106 from Everwhite, as presented.

— School supplies valued at $1,830 were donated by various local organizations to APS Elementary schools.

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