News Photo by Reagan Voetberg The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education discusses the book “Great on Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Become Effective” by Airick Journey Crabill.

ALPENA — The Fairview physical privacy policy was discussed again at the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education workshop meeting Monday night.

The policy regulates the use of restrooms, locker rooms, and showers by gender non-conforming students. Fairview’s policy dictates that facilities that are designated for one biological sex shall only be used by members of that biological sex.

The policy defines biological sex as “the biological condition of being male or female as determined at birth based on physical differences, or, when necessary, at the chromosomal level.”

Community members once again spoke out against the policy and urged board members not to implement it.

Board member Eric Hansen said he understands both sides of the issue. As a father, he does not want a person of the opposite sex in the same bathroom as his child, but he also believes that it is his responsibility as a board member to protect those who differ from himself.

“I think that it’s really a moving target at this point because there is so much debate, discussion, lawsuits going on at the national level,” Hansen said. “My recommendation would simply be to table this for the time being pending further clarification at the federal level through some of these lawsuits.”

Board member Sarah Fritz said that there’s a procedure right now in place, and the students and administration agree that it’s working.

“Let’s let this play out,” Fritz said. “There are so many more uncertainties that are coming up. And right now we have a solution… Let’s move on and wait to see what comes and happens down the road.”

Board member Monica Dziesinski agreed to put a hold on discussing the policy.

The board then discussed some of the legal questions they have had.

Rabbideau said that Thrun Law Firm will be coming on June 23.

Board member Eric Lawson said that the board is interested in the constitutional law expertise of Kallman, which has to do with civil rights, and that the board does not want to replace Thrun entirely with Kallman.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

— The Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District general fund budget was passed out to board members to look over before the next regular meeting.

— There are three open positions in the ESD Board Election, Superintendent Dave Rabbideau said. At the next meeting, the board will pass a resolution to recommend candidates for the open positions.

— Board members discussed “Great on Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Become Effective” by Airick Journey Crabill for their School Board and Superintendent book study.

— Associate Superintendent for Business and Operations Mary Lyon explained Policy 6320 Bid/Purchasing Policy and which purchases need bids and which do not, as well as for what reasons a bid can be rejected.

— APS Facility Supervisor Simon Zolnierek explained the plan to take action on custodial supplies and consumable supplies bid at the next regular meeting. Board members received information about previous costs and vendors

Zolnierek also discussed the refuse bid, and some costs went up. GFL is the only bidder.

— Board members received past information on vendors and prices for lawn care. The board took action on a lawn care bid at the last meeting, but needs to revote since not enough board members were present.

— The board discussed using recycled asphalt from bond work to roll out at the bus garage, high school, and junior high lots.

— K-5 Director of Curriculum Stephanie Piper discussed the elementary interactive display proposal that would be possible through leftover grant funds. The display is like a giant touchscreen tablet. There are six in the district so far, and they want to purchase one for every K-5 classroom in the district.

— Piper presented on searching for a new elementary math curriculum. After community and educator input, they narrowed it down to nine different curriculums that met basic needs, including the current curriculum Imagine Math. After further narrowing down that number, the team decided that Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt would be the best fit to meet APS’s needs. The board will vote on whether to implement the curriculum at the next regular meeting on May 19.

— The board discussed the annual retirees’ recognition and appreciation resolution.

— The board voted to accept the bid from A Cut Above Landscaping for lawn care.