APS meeting recap
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ALPENA -- Public comment at the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday expressed concerns about the use of APS logos and mascots on campaign materials as well as concerns about the future of the Family Partnership Program.
-Parents in the program addressed the board on Monday. They expressed concerns about a delayed start to the program this school year and alleged that Family Partnership Director Jen Myers was put on administrative leave.
Superintendent Dave Rabbideau said on Thursday in a text message "aligned with state and federal law and with board policy, we do not comment on personnel matters," when asked to confirm or deny that Myers was put on administrative leave.
The Family Partnership Program offers non-essential/elective courses to primarily homeschooling families free-of-charge with the option to take classes in-person once a week at Sunset School.
Rabbideau said after public comment that he absolutely supports the partnership program and that in all the conversations he has had with board members, they also support the partnership.
"We expect a long and fruitful relationship with that partnership," Rabbideau said.
-A member of the public asked whether using APS insignia on campaign materials is allowed since it could be perceived as the district endorsing a particular candidate. Another question was asked about whether a candidate's use of a photo of themself reading to students at one of the schools violated FERPA.
Rabbideau clarified that APS does not endorse any school board candidates. APS logos are not copyrighted meaning candidates are allowed to use them on their campaign materials.
Rabbideau said that the photo of the candidate reading to students was taken from the school's Facebook page and all clearances and permissions were provided.
-Cheryl Kuch, senior consultant for HR solutions at Rehmann, presented on employee engagement survey data from the Gallup Q12. APS employees took the survey this spring.
-Board members approved the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) annual application process for the annual delegation of School Plan Review and Inspection Authority for all APS buildings.
-Rabbideau discussed the issues with the district's former construction manager Wolgast and why they had to separate from the company. He said that Wolgast had 128 change events that amounted to approximately $748,000 in additional costs for the 2020 safe, warm, dry bond projects. The district has been working with Clark Construction for two years and they have had 54 change orders. For those change orders, the district has received approximately $18,136 back from Clark.
The subject was brought up due to questions from board members at the last workshop meeting about whether the project manager needs to be bid out again should they pass a new $29 million bond in May. Rabbideau said that services do not need to be rebid.
-Another round of Safe, Warm, Dry bond work is coming next summer. There is approximately $3.7 million remaining from the original bond.
– An honorary diploma request was made for a woman by her grandson at the last workshop meeting. Board members approved a motion to award an honorary diploma to her pending further investigation of her academic records.
-There will be an official light the cat ceremony for the new Wildcat logo on Alpena High School in early October.
-Rabbideau said that around 20 interactive screens need to be replaced in elementary school classrooms.