Screenshot by Temi Fadayomi AMA ESD Superintendent Justin Gluesing gives a presentation during an Alpena Public Schools Board of Education meeting at Wilson Elementary School on Monday.

ALPENA — On Monday, at a meeting of the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education, Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District Superintendent Justin Gluesing discussed upcoming projects that the AMA ESD is working on to improve accessibility and safety for students.

These projects include the ADA Playground Project, the Pied Piper Renewal and Modernization Project, and the Transition Program.

The ADA Playground Project is an initiative to supply schools with “adaptive playground equipment,” according to Gluesing, in the hopes of making elementary school playgrounds a more inclusive space for children with physical disabilities.

The project will cost $233,000 with the AMA ESD agreeing to pay 50% of that cost. If adequate grant money is secured, Phase 1 of the project will provide equipment to Atlanta, Alcona, and Hilman in 2023 and Phase 2 will provide equipment to Alpena in 2024.

Gluesing indicated in his presentation that grants have already been secured from several local businesses and organizations for the project.

The Pied Piper Renewal and Modernization Project is still in its planning phase, but currently has an estimated cost of $1,250,000 in renovations to the Pied Piper School with a focus on safety and accessibility.

The Transition Program is a program that aims to assist students with disabilities in transitioning from school life to adult life.

In other business

The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education on Monday also:

* awarded Nova Environmental, Inc an asbestos abatement bid for Sanborn. The amount can’t exceed $76,540

* approved Johnson & Wood, LLC for water cooler work at Thunder Bay Jr. High School. The amount cannot exceed $11,272.