News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Besser Elementary Principal Josh Feldpausch and Lincoln Elementary Principal Scott Henwood speak to the Alpena Public Schools board about Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) testing scores on Monday night.

ALPENA — On Monday night, Alpena Public Schools board member Monica Dziesinski addressed a recent threat she received.

The APS board of education met Monday night for their monthly workshop meeting. The meeting began with Dziesinski reading a prepared statement about the threat.

“I recently received an anonymous letter demanding my resignation and threatening consequences if I did not comply,” Dziesinski said. “Law enforcement has been notified and there is an active investigation so I am not able to share details at this time. However, the community should know that the lies, harassment, and intimidation did not begin with this letter. It has been ongoing since the first day I took office.”

“I have faced repeated false accusations about my employment, fraudulent complaints filed with the state of Michigan against my professional license, attacks directed at my family, and coordinated efforts to undermine my role on this board,” Dziesinski said. “Other board members have experienced similar treatment, including false letters being sent about their children to their schools, items mailed to their homes, and other incidents that continue to occur. This pattern of behavior is deliberate, and it’s unacceptable.”

“Disagreement and civil discourse is expected with elected positions, but this kind of behavior is not,” she continued. “Sustained harassment and the spreading of falsehoods are a disservice to this community and to our schools. I was elected to serve the district and that is exactly what I’m going to continue to do.”

Some members of the audience clapped and cheered as Dziesinski finished her statement.

Superintendent Dave Rabbideau said that two sheriff deputies would be coming to the meeting in a few minutes at his direction. He then addressed the threats.

“I would just kind of go back and say to Monica and the other board members that have faced this kind of behavior, it’s despicable. We have differences. There is absolutely no doubt we have differences. The comments on Facebook on every side of the issue are despicable. So, when that deputy walks in the door, it’s not because we’re shutting down First Amendment rights, It’s because of despicable behavior,” Rabbideau said. “Everyone in this room has a role in bringing the temperature down.”

At a board meeting in August, there had been concerns that board president Eric Lawson was attempting to shut down first amendment rights when he suggested bringing in a Sheriff’s deputy due to a number of disruptions during public comment. He then followed through with that warning at the next meeting in September.

“And then if you’re the type of person that thinks you’re going to put pen to paper or type or cut out numbers and letters and send a ransom note, you have some serious reflection to do on who you are as a person,” Rabbideau said on Monday.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

*Besser Elementary Principal Josh Feldpausch and Lincoln Elementary Principal Scott Henwood discussed Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) testing scores and how well elementary students are doing in reading and math.

*Alpena High School Assistant Principals Mike Buchinger and Eric Mitchell discussed Renaissance Star and how it is improving data collection on student success.

*Thunder Bay Junior High Principal Katie Lee discussed the work her staff is doing to ensure grading is consistent and accurately measures student success.

*The board discussed bids to purchase three school buses. Associate Superintendent for Business and Operations Mary Lyon suggested purchasing three used buses in the 2024 model each worth $82,832. Another option discussed was the purchase of three used 2021 models each worth around $60,000.

*The board discussed bids for sidewalks at Besser. DeRocher Masonry was the low bid at $47,990.

*Rabbideau reviewed policy changes with the board. The changes will take the existing nine policies regarding non-discrimination and condense them into three policies.

*The board held a special meeting after the conclusion of the workshop meeting. They entered two closed sessions to discuss exempt material and non-renewal of an employee contract. In a vote after the second closed session, the board passed a motion for the nonrenewal referring to the teacher from the closed sessions contract for the 2026-2027 school year and placed on paid administrative leave for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year. The vote passed six to one, with Board Member AJ Macarthur being the only one to vote no.

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