ALPENA — Alpena Public Schools has a clearer timeline set for continued learning students kept home by the coronavirus pandemic and will start a curriculum by April 27.

To prevent the spread of the virus, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on April 2 ordered all schools closed for the rest of the academic year.

Meaghan Gauthier, assistant superintendent of K-12 curriculum, said Thursday that, in the next two weeks, teachers will put together content for their learning plans. Students in grades four through 12 have two weeks to turn in any missing or late work by April 24.

APS will submit the required learning plan to Scott Reynolds, superintendent of the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District, for approval by next week.

“We’re in a different reality right now,” Gauthier said during a special Board of Education meeting held via videoconferencing software Zoom. “So many of our kids are in such dire straits.”

The district hopes to have students engaged in remote learning between April 27 and June 4.

The district plans to reach out to high school seniors to notify them of their graduation status within normal timelines.

A graduation ceremony date, time, and location is still in the works.

Online courses, dual enrollment, and Early College courses will follow the typical timeline. Student report cards will be sent home after June 4.

“We’re really trying to do the best we can in the most difficult scenario to provide education for our students,” APS Superintendent John VanWagoner told the board.

Students without access to the internet for online learning will have materials to do school work at home, officials said.

Meakalia Previch-Liu can be reached at 989-358-5680 or mprevich-liu@thealpenanews.com.

In other business

The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education on Thursday also:

∫ Heard Gwen Pettit, account manager at Trane, offer ways the district could save money through improved LED lighting and electrical upgrades, heating and air conditioning modernization, and renewable energy options.

∫ Heard Paul Stauder, managing director of PFM Financial Advisors, talk about creating parameters on bond financing projects. The school board aims to adopt a bond authorizing resolution by April 23.