News file photo The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education.

ALPENA — An Alpena resident has filed petitions for a recall of Alpena Public Schools Board Members Monica Dziesinski, Sarah Costain, and Board President Eric Lawson.

The petitions against Dziesinski and Lawson pertain to three votes from 2025, Yvonne Johnson, the resident that filed the recall petitions, said.

Johnson said she intends to recall Costain for two of her votes, as well as her absence from board meetings throughout 2025.

On Jan. 27 of last year, Lawson and Dziesinki voted to award a paving contract to a bidder that did not submit the lowest bid.

That is not a good use of taxpayer money and is likely to result in less competition for future bids, Johnson said.

Costain was not present at that board meeting.

Typically, school boards award bids for projects to the lowest bidder. In this case, the asphalt bid that passed was about $3,600 more than the lowest bid, the News previously reported.

On March 24, Lawson, Dziesinski, and Costain voted against implementing a grant funded rain garden at Alpena High School, Johnson said that is one of the reasons for the recall effort.

On June 30, Lawson, Dziesinski, and Costain voted to sign a contract with Kallman Legal Group to consult them for additional legal representation. The district’s primary legal representation is Thrun Law Firm.

Johnson said that Kallman charges $275 an hour, which she says is a concerning use of taxpayer funds when the district has already hired top tier legal representation.

Johnson alleges that Lawson, Dziesinski, and Costain have been inserting their personal political views into their decisions–and these three votes in particular–on a non-partisan board, when they are supposed to be representing the community.

“I grew up here, and I will always put our kids and community first, that is my personal agenda,” Dziesinski said in a text message in response to the petition. “Every decision I make is researched and is focused on improving learning, while also making sure taxpayer dollars are wisely spent and that they actually benefit APS students.”

“I take my role on the school board seriously and always have,” Costain said in a text message. “While I have missed some meetings due to extraordinary circumstances including a medical emergency involving my infant child and a serious injury – I have remained engaged, informed, and committed to the work outside of formal meeting hours. My focus has always been responsible governance, student outcomes, and fiscal accountability. I welcome ideas, collaboration, and concrete solutions that help APS students succeed. Imagine what our district could accomplish if the same energy spent attacking board members were instead invested in supporting teachers, strengthening programs, and lifting students. That is where my focus remains and where it belongs.”

Eric Lawson did not respond to a request for comment.

The recall effort is still in its infancy and there are many procedures that need to be followed, before it ends up on the ballot, likely in November.

The next step before the petitions can be circulated for signatures includes a review by the Alpena County Election Commission, Johnson said. She said that the review will be completed in 10 to 20 days from the date she submitted the petition, which was Monday.

The election commission will look at petition language and ensure that the petition is factual and sufficiently clear.

Johnson said she expects she will be able to begin circulating the three petitions for signatures in mid April to mid June. There needs to be 3,921 valid signatures collected on each petition within a 60 day window.

She said people will be able to sign the petition because she intends to go door-to-door seeking support and have them available at local events for people to sign.

If enough signatures are collected and verified by Alpena County Clerk Keri Bertrand, then the three board members’ names will be on the November ballot. Challengers also need to face them, Johnson said.

“I believe there are folks in our community that are willing to step up to challenge these candidates on the ballot,” Johnson said.