Soliciting and publishing (6/23/26) comments from a few APS board members about the tax bond issue up for vote next year was premature and stirred up unneeded speculation and ill informed opinions in Alpena. At this time APS staff and consultants are developing the detailed scope of work needed and or options to deal with maintaining the aging school infrastructure. In addition there is the need to address the impact of the declining student enrollment. A detailed plan is not complete. Comments at this time only encourage those ill informed opinions form the public that will vote on the millage. There are no simple answers.

Referring back to an old Civics teacher, elected officials’ purpose (state, federal or school board) is to educate themselves on the issues, make informed decisions and then educate those who elected them. The board members are not experts. They attend a couple meetings a month. They need to listen to the administration and its consultants rather than reaching out to the ill informed that may have an agenda. Last year’s bad decisions on the paving and rain garden are an example of this wrong approach.

Off the cuff comments about taxes, whether intended or not, are irresponsible and leading to wrong opinions. Already there are “VOTE NO” statements on social media. The Alpena community needs to totally support what is needed to maintain its public schools and provide a high quality education for our students.

Dale Fritz

Alpena