News Photo by James Andersen Alpena Public Schools Board of Education Member Andrew MacArthur speaks during a meeting on Monday as the Board presents a motion to not renew the contract of suspended Ella White Principal Tom Berriman.

ALPENA — The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education on Monday voted not to renew the contract of suspended Ella White Elementary School Tom Berriman.

The Board voted 6 to 1 not to renew the contract with Board Member Eric Lawson as the lone dissenting vote. Berriman’s contract expires on June 30 and he will receive compensation and benefits until then.

In a lengthy explanation, the Board outlined its reasons for non-renewal, saying it was in the district’s best interest and based on findings related to Berriman’s handling of two alleged incidents involving a special needs student at the school last November.

“The Board has considered all arguments, principles, circumstances, and significance in this matter,” Board Member Andrew MacArthur said during the reading of the Board’s decision. “The Board holds no prejudice, (animosity), or any improper motives with regards to Mr. Berriman’s employment. The Board believes there is a (reasonable) explanation for the decision (for) non-renewal of Mr Berriman’s employment, which is based on the evidence before the Board.”

Berriman has been on paid administrative leave since November after allegedly mishandling two incidents involving the same student. Berriman denied any wrongdoing, but admitted during hearings leading up to Monday’s meeting that he could have handled things differently.

Berriman said Monday that although he didn’t agree with the Board’s decision, he understood it and said the Board had a tough decision to make.

“I’m not surprised. I knew coming in that the Board had a tough decision. The Board, their bread and butter is board policy, and they looked at the video, they looked at our policy and they made the decision that they felt they needed to make. Do I agree with it? Of course not, but I respect what the Board had to do and we have to remind ourselves that they’re volunteers. No hard feelings there. It’s disappointing and I certainly understand.”

During a marathon meeting in February, the Board voted 6 to 1 to consider the non-renewal of Berriman’s contract. During that meeting, the Board, Berriman and legal representatives for both sides went into closed session to discuss the matter, including lengthy review of video of both incidents.

The district has previously stated they cannot release the videos because they don’t have the permission of the student’s parents.

Berriman got a chance to state his case earlier this month, during which he said he was stressed and suffered from work-related anxiety when the alleged incidents occurred. At past board meetings, Berriman said he reached out to APS Superintendent Dave Rabbideau about ongoing issues at the school and his work-related anxiety, but received no response.

The Board, in its decision, said that Berriman’s use of physical restraint, which included picking up the student and carrying the student to his office during one of the alleged incidents, was not consistent with board policy.

In that instance, the board said the student wasn’t a danger to anyone prior to Berriman picking him up and that Berriman should have handled the situation differently based on district training.

“While the board does not condone the student’s behavior, Mr Berriman’s actions were not aligned with board policy or state law,” MacArthur said.

During his suspension, many community members have voiced their support for Berriman, including a Facebook page called “I Stand With Principal Berriman,” which has almost 300 followers.

Several attendees at Monday’s meeting spoke on Berriman’s behalf during the second of two public comment sessions, including Berriman’s wife Holly who thanked supporters for their help.

Though he won’t return to Ella White, Berriman said he’s excited to take on a role — whatever that may be — that helps Alpena and its residents.

“I’m looking forward to staying in the community and continuing to help Alpena become the best that it can be; it’s just in a different role,” Berriman said. “I’m just excited to move into another area and continue to help Alpena and still be a member of this community and do whatever I can do to make Alpena a better place to be.”

In other business

The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education on Monday also:

*Heard an update on Federal Elementary and Secondary Emergency Education Relief (ESSER) I and II and Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funds from Associate Superintendent for Business and Operations Mary Lyon.

The ESSER II funds include money to replace unit ventilators, install new tile to replace old and worn carpeting, educational technology, wages for online classes, and for Elementary Math Expressions digital curriculum among other projects.

ESSER III grants include money set aside to remove asbestos, install tile to replace old carpeting, online classes, clean supplies to mitigate COVID, and curriculum review in several areas.

*Voted to extend administrative contacts through 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years for various administrators.

*Voted to adopt a settlement with JUUL.

*Voted to accept a motion to approve the attendance policy for 2022-2023 Semester 2 as presented with the understanding the policy will be presented at a future workshop to discuss revisions to take effect for the 2023-2024 school year.

*Voted to approve the purchase of a vape detector.

*made a motion to accept various gifts given to different schools in the district.