APS organizational meeting: Lawson remains APS president
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ALPENA -- Thrun Law Firm will be Alpena Public Schools' primary legal consultant for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
On Monday, the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education held their annual organizational meeting, where board members vote on the president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary of the board, as well as annual fiscal appointments.
For the last year, Eric Lawson served as president, AJ MacArthur served as vice president, and Sarah Costain served as treasurer.
On Monday, Lawson was reelected as president, MacArthur was voted in as vice president, and Monica Dziesinski was voted in as treasurer. Only board member Sarah Fritz voted no to the appointments. Costain was absent from the meeting.
Board members also make annual fiscal appointments at the organizational meeting, including appointing a law firm to represent the district in legal matters.
The recommendation in the board agenda was to appoint Thrun Law Firm as the district's legal counsel. The district has retained Thrun as their main legal consultant for many years.
Dziesinski asked why the district does not use a less costly legal firm, such as Collins and Blaha, instead of Thrun.
"They were the most comparable gold standard for school and education law firms," she said. Collins and Blaha had no retainer for the $2,500 and actually their associate fees were cheaper. So I'm just wondering why we're making a more expensive recommendation."
Superintendent Dave Rabbideau said that relationships are the main reason for retaining Thrun.
"We have a long history with working with Thrun that far precedes me," he said. "They've served the district exceptionally well. We are currently in the middle of negotiations right now and making a switch during that process would be very difficult."
Rabbideau said that Collins and Blaha is a much smaller organization than Thrun, although it is a fine establishment.
"Would it be easier to do this at a different time when we're not in the middle of negotiations?" Dziesinski asked.
Dziesinski reiterated that she wants to be fiscally responsible.
"Theres places that you do want to seek to be fiscally responsible," Rabbideau said. "There would be no good time to make that shift. If we're going to make that shift, if that's the will of the board, then I would ask that we do that over a multi-year period."
Dziesinski asked whether they could sign a contract with Collins and Blaha as well as Thrun.
While that is an option, Rabbideau said that it isn't necessary to sign a contract. They can reach out to any law firm for a second opinion if needed. He said it is uncommon to sign a contract with another firm, but it is not uncommon for the district to utilize multiple firms to gain second opinions.
Fritz read a statement about Thrun.
"Thrun has served Alpena Public Schools with distinction since 1960, providing over six decades of dedicated non-partisan legal counsel," she said. "This extensive history has provided them with deep institutional knowledge and a thorough understanding of the unique needs of our district."
Board member Anna Meinhardt also expressed how valuable the district's relationship with Thrun is. She said when she was board president, Thrun was always exceptional.
"Thrun was exceptional and I feel like to break part with someone who's been so helpful and led us in great directions, it would be a shame," Meinhardt said.
"It's kind of interesting with attorneys we don't have to go with the lowest bidder and we can go with relationships, but for any other contractors, we can't look at relationships but we have to go with the lowest bidder," Board member Eric Hansen said. "Kind of interesting but again I don't have an issue with Thrun."
Hansen made the motion to approve Thrun as the district's legal counsel for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Dziesinski seconded the motion. The motion was approved by all present board members.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
*Board members failed to pass a motion to approve Policy 0175.1 with the recommended highlighted addition: "A board member who is registered for a conference, workshop or training at district expense and fails to attend without timely cancellation shall reimburse the district for any resulting non-refundable costs. This requirement shall not apply where the board member notifies the district of the reason for non-attendance such as hazardous weather or travel conditions, illness, family emergency, technical failure, preventing participation in a virtual training, or other circumstances beyond the member’s control. A board member unable to attend should notify the district as soon as possible to allow for timely cancellation."
The policy addresses board members' attendance of conferences, conventions, and workshops.
*Board members approved a motion to appoint Straley, Lamp, and Kraenzlein, P.C. as the district's auditing firm for fiscal year 2026-2027.
*Board members approved a motion to authorize the utilization of any investment type allowed by the revised school code and state laws for the purpose of investing school funds during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
*Board members approved a motion to designate Huntington Bank, Nicolet, Alpena-Alcona Area Credit Union, and Michigan Liquid Asset Fund as depositories for funds for 2026-2027.
*Board members approved a motion to adopt the preamble and resolution authorizing automated clearinghouse (ACH) arrangements and electronic transfers.
*Board members approved the annual payments for district memberships in the Alpena Chamber of Commerce for $1,600, Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) for $7,323.80, MASB Legal Fund Trust for $292, School Equity Caucus for $844, and Northern MI Schools Legislative Association for $991.
*Board members approved a motion to appoint Fritz as Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District (AMA ESD) liaison and Meinhardt as alternate liaison.
*Board members approved a motion to appoint the board president, vice president, and treasurer as the MASB voting delegates.
*Board members approved a motion to follow the policy manual as stated for Policy 143.1 Public Expression of Board Members.
*AMA ESD Superintendent Justin Gluesing presented on the upcoming special education millage to be placed on the November ballot. Board members approved a motion to sign a support resolution for the millage.