A week ago, Gordon Snow took out a large ad in The Alpena News, Moving Ahead in 2022- Where We Are & Where We Are Going. It listed 26, A-Z steps the Alpena Public Schools, Superintendent, Faculty, Staff, & Board of Education are committed to in the months and years ahead.

Mr. Snow certainly should know what it takes to lead our public schools as he has spent his entire career in education and the past 14 years on Alpena’s School Board, often as president.

However, being busy doesn’t necessarily translate to accomplishing your fundamental mission. And it could be argued the school board has miserably failed our students. According to an Alpena News story, State test scores continue seven-year decline, published 9/8/22 …

∫ Alpena-area students have scored below the state in most grades and subject areas for the past seven years

∫ The share of Alpena-area students who failed to meet grade level expectations jumped by 21% over the tests administered in spring 2019

∫ 66 percent of third thru seventh grade students in Northeast Michigan failed to meet the state expectations in English

∫ 42 percent of students (13% increase) don’t even partially meet state expectations in math.

If a commanding officer were to fail at his mission and his troops were ill prepared for combat he’d be relieved of his command.

Yes, to quote Mr. Snow, “Your VOTE counts”, and it’s clear we need some fresh blood to right the ship and change course. Eric Hansen, Bruce Heath, AJ MacArthur and George Pena are committed to the task and have identified their number one objective as, “Return to the basics of education”

Yes, we have a decision to make come November 8th, and clearly, it’s time for a new team on the field.

STEVE DEAN,

Alpena