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ALPENA -- Eight candidates are running for four seats on the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education. If elected, they will serve a four-year term beginning January 2027 and ending December 2030.
Below are four of the candidates that sat down and answered questions with The News.
The News published the response to the questions from four of the other candidates last Saturday..
Q: What background and experience do you have that makes you a well-rounded candidate for the board?
Carlson: Carlson is a juvenile probation officer in Presque Isle County. He is a graduate of Alpena High School and was a substitute teacher at APS. He has earned his teaching certificate. Carlson is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Political Science and has worked in legislative offices at the state and federal level. He also worked on the campaign trail with Marie Fielder in 2022 when she ran for the 106th.
Fritz: Fritz is currently serving her first term as a school board member. She worked in public schools for 17 years in Virginia as a substitute, instructional assistant (IA), and kindergarten teacher. She also worked for a parochial school in Alpena for three years in a one-two split classroom.
Kipfmiller: Kipfmiller is a local business owner and parent of a first grader and third grader. She "wears all of the hats" operating Zen Fitness. She participates in school events with her children and has gotten to know their previous teachers. Kipfmiller said she is a good moderator and communicator as well.
Ratz: Ratz is a parent with three kids that attend APS. She works at Cabin Creek Coffee in downtown Alpena and has experience working in customer service and at summer camps.
Q: What do you think is the best solution to increasing the literacy rate in the district?
Carlson: Carlson said he has had discussions with APS teachers about the issue.
"What I hear from them is that they would like additional supports for student behaviors and reducing our class sizes," he said.
He said it would be a long-term strategic investment to help raise literacy rates. He would like to see class sizes capped at 24 students.
Fritz: Continuing to use the Benchmark Advance curriculum in K-5, along with K-5 instructional coaches helping new and seasoned teachers understand the professional development for that curriculum.
Kipfmiller: She said limiting technology in the classroom could benefit students and increase literacy rates and attention spans. It would also save the district money that they would otherwise spend on technology upgrades and replacements.
Ratz: Get rid of the stigma around holding back students when they're not ready, reduce class sizes.
Q: What is your plan to work with the board/superintendent/administration to better student outcomes?
Carlson: "To make sure that we improve student outcomes, we all need to check our egos at the door," he said. "That includes personal or political thoughts that anybody may have...I think it's important that we approach each other with a civil conversation and make sure that we can disagree but not be disagreeable."
Fritz: "I'll work with the people who know what is best for our students," Fritz said. "I'm not in the classroom everyday, although I am in buildings a lot at different programs and activities… As a board member you need to listen to the people that have the experience that are in the building that know what is best for the students."
Kipfmiller: Kipfmiller said she doesn't know exactly what's going on behind the scenes with the board, but she feels like there is a lack in the chain of communication. She would like to talk directly to the people that are affected by decisions, like teachers and bus drivers.
Kipfmiller said she would like to implement a regular newsletter in students' Friday folders to inform parents of what decisions and discussions the board has been making.
Ratz: "I hope to be someone who always shows up, not just to board meetings," Ratz said.
She is willing to communicate with kindness and wants to be part of a board that knows how to communicate with each other properly and professionally.
Q: What are your top three issues?
Carlson: Improving student outcomes, restoring fiscal responsibility, and improving school facilities
Fritz: Increasing literacy and math scores, working on absenteeism, and the transportation problem with rural schools.
Kipfmiller: Free school meals, reducing bullying, providing services to students, athletics, the arts.
Ratz: Free school meals, transportation, reading and math proficiency.
Q: Would you support the new $29 million bond?
Carlson: Carlson said he needs more information before deciding. He said he is not necessarily opposed to the idea, but would like to know exactly what the bond money would be used for.
Fritz: Fritz said she supports the bond.
"We need new windows, we need new HVAC systems, we need more secure doors for ACES, and like 500 doors need to be replaced in our buildings," Fritz said. "So I support it and I also--I'm going to be paying it along with the rest of the community too."
Kipfmiller: Kipfmiller said she would happily pay a higher tax knowing it is going to education. She would like to know more of the details of what the bond money would be used for.
Ratz: Would like to know more specifics about the bond before deciding to support it or not.
Q: How much of a concern is the teacher/school staff shortages and what can be done to address it?
Carlson: "This is an extremely concerning issue," Carlson said. "It starts at the board level and the board being willing to negotiate without collective bargaining units to help improve working conditions."
He gave some ideas such as paying out sick days when a teacher retires and giving bus drivers more full-time opportunities by having their role combined with being an IA. He said that IAs need to be paid more "straight up."
Fritz: She said that the retention rate in 2024 was 67% of first year teachers. That number has been boosted to 71.5%.
"We are getting better," Fritz said.
She said continuing to have Rehmann come in and survey staff will help to uncover what areas need more improvement.
Kipfmiller: "It's obviously a huge concern," Kipfmiller said. "If we don't have teachers and we don't have bus drivers, and we don't have janitors, who's going to do the work? Nobody."
"Once we learn those whys, we can actually hone in on a solution," Kipfmiller said.
She said one statistic she heard is that teachers feel like if they go to a superior with an issue they feel retaliated against instead of getting help to solve the issue. She said she doesn't know if that is an issue in Alpena or not but wants to learn more.
Ratz: It's a huge concern. A lot of teachers feel like they're drowning. Staffing shortages affect the way everyone performs at every level of staff.
Q: What does it mean to you to be non-partisan?
Carlson: "This position is non-partisan," he said. "It's not elected by political party. It doesn't mean that you lose your set of values when you run for office."
Carlson ran as a Democratic Precinct Delegate in the August primary election.
"I did run as a democratic precinct delegate," he said. "Which has nothing to do with the school board or education, it has to do with the county convention system...I haven’t made any effort to hide what I stand for or what I believe. But this election is not about party politics”
He said he brings a fresh perspective to the table and hopes that's what voters will see.
"I just happen to be a Democrat," Carlson said.
Fritz: "I am not endorsed by any political party," Fritz said. "I think it means a lot because we have to find common ground. I may not agree with everybody on the board, and they may not agree with me, but we need to find some common ground because we're here for the students, the teachers, and keeping this school system running."
Kipfmiller: Kipfmiller distinguished between supporting a candidate versus endorsing them.
"You can support someone without endorsing them," she said. "Endorsing means you're helping pay for things. You're putting your stamp on it...Whereas supporting is somebody literally just being like...we like this person."
"I have not received personally any money from any political party; I've only received personal donations from citizens," Kipfmiller said.
Ratz: "It is silly to presume that every individual person doesn't have their own personal belief system," Ratz said. "Although I do have my personal politics, it has nothing to do with my hopes and dreams of improving our schools."
Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing your first term? How do you hope to build on that in a second term?
Fritz: Putting in the new curriculum in math and English Language Arts and getting instructional coaches in there to support teachers. Fritz is in support of what the Superintendent has done with the strategic plan and in the "reimagining the district" project with Kingscott.
Q: What is the best way for voters to contact you with questions?
Carlson: Find his contact form at voteevancarlson.com. His phone number is 989-590-3886 and his email is friendsofevancarlson@gmail.com. Carlson also has a Facebook page: Evan Carlson for APS School Board.
Fritz: Contact Fritz at her school board email fritzs@alpenaschools.com. She can also set up a time to meet with you in person.
Kipfmiller: Kipfmiller hosts open hours at The Elixir Bar across from Kipfmiller Produce at 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays. You can also email kipfmiller.mi@gmail.com. You can text or call her at 989-884-2335. Her Facebook page is Claire Kipfmiller for APS School Board.
Ratz: Reach out through messenger on her Facebook page: Kayla Ratz For APS School Board