I have virtually attended the Alpena Public Schools (APS) Board meetings for the past six months.

My observations:

~ The rain garden that was designed by reputable architects was voted down even though there was a grant for the garden.

~ The Board promoted a “bathroom policy” that was NOT recommended by Thrun Law and ACLU.

~ The Board has approved adding a second law firm, the Kallman Legal Group. It is a father and son firm that has no experience representing public schools. Thrun Law (over 30 attorneys) has represented APS since 1960.

Why would our Board waste taxpayers dollars by adding this second firm? The answer is board member Dziesinski is looking for a firm that will give a different opinion on the “bathroom policy.”

This is a misuse of taxpayers dollars.

The Board is not listening to our longtime legal counsel, staff, parents and students. Staff and students have stated their observations and experiences at the high school during several board meetings. According to those who spoke, there are no issues with the current bathroom policy. But board members Lawson, Dziesinski, Costain and MacArthur want an attorney who will give a different opinion that could potentially generate lawsuits for APS, which will cause financial distress for our school system.

How is it that we have four board members who are not listening to emphatic feedback from the public and have become saboteurs from within? Although Costain, MacArthur and Dziesinski all have multiple school-age children, none are enrolled in the Alpena School System, meaning they have no skin in the game. Imperilling the financial stability of our school system will not affect the education their children receive …. only yours. They, along with Lawson, have damaging personal agendas and the harm they inflict will only be felt by others.

BARBARA BEAMISH

Alpena