ALPENA — In an effort to help students dealing with emotional and mental issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education on Monday approved a package that includes a Social-Emotional Learning program.

Social-Emotional Learning, or SEL, is a program that is being required for elementary level students by the Michigan Department of Education to help aid in the mental and emotional issues children have been dealing with since the outset of the pandemic.

Dave Rabbideau, Alpena Public Schools superintendent, told the board the program is required to maintain current financial support from the state for the district.

“But, this doesn’t change what the students are doing on a daily basis.” Rabbideau said.

Board member Eric Lawson admitted he is skeptical and questioned the program because he finds it to be connected to Marxist ideology. However, Lawson said, he attended a class at Besser Elementary School and found nothing being taught that he objected to.

He explained from what he observed, the program involved the teacher going from student to student and asking them how they are feeling and if there is anything they would like to talk about.

Rabbideau said this type of interaction between a teacher and their students at the elementary level may be very helpful in remedying an increase in long-term expulsions across the district this school year.

Other board members questioned whether they completely understand all that the program entails and were concerned some students may not want to participate in discussing their feelings.

After some debate, the board approved the program which is part of a bigger, required package that Rabbideau assured board members is negotiable going forward.

Lawson said he would be the first to support the vote and it passed unanimously.

Though emotions have run high during several board meetings in recent months, Monday’s public comment portion of the meeting was more subdued. Several residents took to the microphone to voice their opinions on face mask mandates, what and how students are being taught in school, but residents kept their cool.