APS board meeting rundown
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ALPENA -- The annual handbooks and code of conduct were approved, among other agenda items at the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday.
*Athletic Director Ben Henry updated the board about the new app for students, parents, and coaches. The app includes all things athletics, like rosters, game schedules, and a place to purchase tickets. He spoke about the new weight room, football scoreboard, and baseball scoreboard which were recently updated. A new softball scoreboard is coming soon.
*Director of Academic Programs and Accountability Stephanie Piper updated the board about summer curriculum work. K-5 teachers, instructional coaches, and principals worked four days in June to create standard curriculum documents for English Language Arts (ELA) and Math and reviewed pacing guides.
*Jon Studley, director of APS Online, discussed "raising expectations" for online students by making changes such as switching to the SUBJECT platform for online classes. Other changes include having students enroll in online classes in the spring for the entire next year. Before, he would have students taking classes in-person first semester and switch to online for second semester. Additionally, if a student fails an online class, they cannot take that class online again for two years. Their option is to return in-person, Studley said.
*The members of the Board of Education approved the 2026-2027 code of conduct in a unanimous vote.
*Board members approved the 2026-2027 student/parent handbook and athletic handbook in a unanimous vote.
*Board members approved the requirements for full time pupil status for 2026-2027 in a unanimous vote.
*Board members approved the 2026-2027 APS online catalogue and class descriptions in a unanimous vote.
*Board members approved the purchase of 374 Chromebook for $135,949 from Bluum. The Chromebooks will be paid for using Title I funds in a unanimous vote.
*Board members approved the School Board Member Commitment and Ethics Agreement as presented with the highlighted changes for the new Board of Education packet. The agreement was created in an ad hoc committee made of board members Anna Meinhardt, Monica Dziesinski, and Board President Eric Lawson.
*Board members approved the new Board of Education Member Checklist as presented for the new Board of Education packet. Both the agreement and checklist can be viewed on the board's page on the APS website.
*The board discussed transparency with the public and what documents would be appropriate to share on the district's website.
*Superintendent Dave Rabbideau said the district is looking at implementing one or two hour delays this school year to limit the number of cancellations for inclement weather.
*Enrollment is steadily climbing, the official number from about two weeks ago was 3400 to 3500, Rabbideau said. A steady stream of families have been coming to register their children.
*Rabbideau said that bus drivers are staffed but precariously so.
*A walking audit was completed for the Safe Routes to School grant as well as a community presentation. Rabbideau said he thinks the Safe Routes to School team will give an update in December.