Welcome to Alpena High School

January 7, 2025

Welcome Back!

Happy 2025! I hope everyone is well-rested and ready to finish the first semester strong!  Yes, it is hard to believe, but we are rapidly approaching the halfway point of the school year! 

NWEA Testing

NWEA Winter testing begins this week for our elementary school students. These assessments help us track student progress in math and reading.

Our teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators analyze the data in several ways:

• Individual student level: To tailor instruction to meet specific needs.

• Grade level, building, and district levels: To identify trends and areas for improvement.

We use this information to adjust and improve instruction, make curriculum updates, and plan for necessary changes in instruction, curriculum, and resources for the next school year.

2025-26 School Calendar (Click for downloadable PDF) 

We are pleased to share the 2025-26 School Calendar with you.  You can view the calendar here  or on our website at www.alpenaschools.com.  You can also read below about how our calendars are created in partnership with our Alpena Education Association HERE.

I may as well get this out there now, so you have time to prepare.  Next year’s Winter break will be 10 business days (two weeks), but the following year, 2026-27 Winter break will be 7 business days (one and a half weeks).  These changes occur because of the shifting days of the week upon which a holiday falls.

Strategic Plan Summit in February

This February marks one year since we began reviewing our Strategic Plan. Last year, a diverse group of 54 people—students, parents, staff, community members, and board members—came together to discuss the district’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities for growth.

At the end of February, we will come back together to share our progress and, most importantly, to gather your input on our next steps.

We want you to be part of this important summit. Your voice and perspective are essential as we shape the future of our district. Stay tuned for more details and an invitation to join us!

Click here for a downloadable PDF of the 2025-2026

Click here for a downloadable PDF of the Calendar Development Explanation Letter

Streaming Link APS School Board Meeting 12/16/24 5:30 PM Click Here

Applications are due by 1/31/25

The APS School Board is seeking nominees to serve on the Sex Education Advisory Board (SEAB) as required by state law. Interested parties can apply directly using this Link,  download and print a PDF version HERE or pick up a paper copy at any APS school building. 

The composition of the Alpena Public School Sex Education Advisory Board (SEAB) is defined by applicable State Law.  This volunteer board is made up of parents who have a child attending a district school, students of the district, educators, local clergy, and community health representatives. 

The goals of this advisory board are to:

1. Establish program goals and objectives for student knowledge and skills that are likely to reduce the rates of sex, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. Additional program goals and objectives may be established by the sex education advisory board that are not contrary to Michigan law.
    

2. Review the materials and methods of instruction used and make recommendations to the Board for implementation. The advisory board shall take into consideration the District's needs, demographics, and trends, including, but not limited to, teenage pregnancy rates, sexually transmitted disease rates, and incidents of student sexual violence and harassment.
    

3. At least once every two (2) years, evaluate, measure, and report the attainment of program goals and objectives established by the advisory board. The Board shall make the resulting report available to parents in the District.

Those interested in being considered to serve on this advisory board should contact the Secretary to the Board of Education at 989.358.5042 to request an application. Seats are filled on an "as-needed" basis and applications are accepted anytime. Seats are filled through appointments made by the Board of Education. Appointments are made to maintain a balanced committee including representation from parents/guardians of APS students enrolled at elementary, middle, and high school levels, health officials, clergy, students, and school personnel. Applications are stamped with a date upon receipt and are kept on file for two years.

Join the Alpena Public Schools Sex Education Advisory Board

The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education seeks dedicated individuals to serve a two-year term on the Sex Education Advisory Board (SEAB). The SEAB is expected to meet 3-5 times per year typically.

Who Can Serve?
The SEAB is a volunteer committee composed of a diverse group, including parents of district students, students, educators, local clergy, and community health representatives, as defined by state law. This broad representation ensures that multiple perspectives are considered in shaping the district’s sex education programs.

Board Goals and Responsibilities:
The SEAB plays a vital role in shaping sex education within the district. Its primary objectives include:

• Setting program goals and objectives designed to reduce the rates of sexual activity, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases among students.

• Reviewing instructional materials and methods, and recommending improvements to the Board of Education. The SEAB considers local data and trends, such as teenage pregnancy rates, sexually transmitted diseases, and incidents of sexual violence and harassment when making decisions.

• Every two years, the SEAB will evaluate the program’s effectiveness and report its findings to the Board, which will share the results with district parents.

How to Apply:
If you are interested in contributing to the SEAB, please contact the Board of Education Secretary at 989.358.5042 to request an application. A hard copy of the application can be printed from our website or picked up at any school office. Applicants can also go to our website www.alpenaschools.com and fill out an application online by choosing the District page then Board of Education and scrolling down to the link or submit an application using this link.

 Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and positions are filled as needed to maintain a balanced representation from parents of students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, along with health professionals, clergy, law enforcement, and school staff. Applications remain on file for two years from the date received. The current window for applications is 12/10/24 through 1/31/25.

December 9, 2024

When the school budget is audited annually, local media often publishes headlines that only tell part of the story. School finance is highly complex, yet APS manages its finances exceptionally well. A strong financial foundation is crucial to Alpena Public Schools’ ability to support students, staff, and facilities now and in the future. Like all public schools, our finances undergo rigorous annual third-party audits. Once again, our practices passed with flying colors.  We are dedicated to being excellent stewards of the financial resources provided to us by our community.

Fund Balance (What is it and why do we need it?)

In 2023, expenses were below budget, enabling the district to add to its general fund balance—a vital cushion for unexpected expenses or revenue shortfalls. Our fiscal year begins on July 1st, yet we do not receive a payment from the state of Michigan until October 1st.  This means the district needs to have enough funds in its general fund balance to cover the expenses for two months out of the year or incur unnecessary interest expenses from borrowing the money to cover this gap in funding. This has happened in the past when our fund balances were lower. 

Currently, the general fund balance stands at approximately $16 million. Here's how it is allocated:

• Non-Spendable: $506,576 (inventory)

• Restricted: $1,704 (stadium-related athletics)

• Committed: $135,390 (stadium turf, athletics, scholarships)

• Assigned: $856,243 (specific areas, such as Campus Closet)

• Unassigned: $14,289,968 (readily available for use)

Our Strategic Plan directs us to utilize these funds to balance investments in instructional programs, facility improvements, and extracurricular activities. As stewards of taxpayer dollars, we ensure that every dollar reflects our commitment to student success and district sustainability.

Over the next 3–5 years, our 10 buildings (totaling 649,849 square feet) will require over $9 million in upgrades and maintenance—costs beyond those covered by the Safe, Warm, Dry Bond. Individual expenses in our instructional programs and extracurricular activities may not be as large as those attached to our facilities, but there are more initiatives in these areas that, when looked at as a total package, can total millions of dollars.

Unlike expenses for instructional programs, facility improvements, and extracurriculars, which are typically one-time costs, staff compensation expenses are compounding. These costs recur annually and increase each year.

Ask APS

This focus on financial responsibility often prompts questions from our community. A recent inquiry asked:

“If the district has such a large fund balance, why won’t the superintendent just pay all employees more?”

Most employees are unionized, and compensation is negotiated through a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between district administration and union leadership. The superintendent cannot unilaterally decide compensation. Since 2020, the district has worked with employee groups to provide stipends and additional compensation beyond what CBAs outline, requiring formal agreements between both parties.

Balancing fair employee compensation with long-term financial stability is a core responsibility. A healthy fund balance supports infrastructure, instructional needs, and commitments to employees while safeguarding the district’s future.

Another question asked:

“Why does your advertisement for hiring new staff show wages higher than for long-term employees?”

It is a misconception that we were advertising higher than current employees receive. Some employees and community members may not have been aware of a higher rate that was agreed upon. However, our current advertised rates reflect rates recently presented by the district and agreed to by the employee groups through the processes mentioned above.  We review salary and compensation regularly to remain competitive. Nationally, wages have risen at rates not seen in years. We advertise for various positions, each with different compensation levels. As noted earlier, employee compensation is determined through a collaborative process between administration and employee groups.

Upcoming School Events

This is a wonderfully busy time of year in our schools.  Please join us for our school events.  Check out the weekly newsletters from your principals, or go online to www.alpenaschools.com and check our calendars.

Winter Break

Students’ last day is Friday, December 20, 2024. Classes resume on January 6, 2025.

I wish you and your family the happiest of holidays!