Welcome to Besser Elementary

APS Besser logo

Besser Elementary 375 Wilson St Alpena, MI 49707 Phone: 989.358.5100 Fax: 989-358-5105

Besser Elementary School is located in the City of Alpena in northeastern Michigan. We are one of six elementary schools currently operated by the Alpena Public School District. Besser serves a population of approximately 455 K-5 students from the City and Township of Alpena

Besser Calendar

Besser Calendar
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Bid Request: K-5 Math Curriculum

Alpena Public Schools (APS) will accept sealed competitive proposals for a comprehensive Mathematics Curriculum for grades K-5.

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March 2025 APS Superintendent Update

March 2025 APS Superintendent Update

3.5.25 

APS Strategic Plan

At its August 26, 2025, Regular Meeting, the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education officially adopted a 3-5-year Strategic Plan—a roadmap created to guide our district’s growth and success.

This process officially began on February 24, 2024, when more than 50 students, staff, administrators, Board of Education members, and community stakeholders came together to identify the district’s strengths and areas for improvement. From there, the Board, administration, and district leadership teams worked collaboratively to refine a plan that addresses the current and future needs of our students, schools, and community.

Since the plan’s adoption, we have been focused on defining, assessing, and strengthening our systems, language, protocols, and practices to ensure they are aligned with the needs of our students and staff. Every step forward is intentional and measurable.

The Strategic Plan is built around five key goal areas, all supporting the district’s mission:

Academics & Programs – Delivering high-quality instruction to maximize student achievement.

Whole-Child Development – Providing supports that foster student engagement, growth, and well-being.

Personnel – Attracting, recruiting, retaining, and developing highly qualified staff.

Family & Community Partnership – Strengthening relationships with families and community partners.

Stewardship – Advancing and maintaining a long-term sustainability plan.

The plan is structured using the Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP), ensuring that each goal area includes strategies and implementation activities that are monitored and measured for ongoing progress.

The foundation of this plan is continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, communication, monitoring, and support. Together, these principles will help us create the best possible learning environment for all APS students.

We are excited to move forward with this plan and will continue to share updates as we implement meaningful changes for our schools and community.

Board Meeting and Strategic Plan Summit moved to AHS
Board Meeting and Strategic Plan Summit moved to AHS

Location change APS Board Meeting 2/24/25 to AHS

Location change to Alpena High School Wildcat Den (Library) for the 5:30 PM 2/24/25 APS Board Meeting. Strategic Planning Summit to follow at 6 PM. 

APS Strategic Plan Meeting
APS Strategic Plan Meeting

APS BOARD OF EDUCATION Strategic Planning Meeting

BOARD OF EDUCATION Strategic Planning Meeting Monday, February 24, 2025 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. AHS Wildcat Den 3303 S. Third Ave. Alpena, MI  49707

Main Office Personnel

Joshua Feldpausch
Principal
Helen Feldkamp
Office Assistant
Kristen Sherwood
Office Assistant

Schedule

  • 8:20 - Doors Open/Breakfast
  • 8:33 - Instruction Begins
  • 3:42 - Dismissal

Half Day Dismissal is 11:45 am

  • 24 Mar
  • 27 Mar
    • Besser PAC Meeting 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      Besser PAC Meeting
      Date: Mar 27
      Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      Calendar: Besser Elementary Calendar
  • 17 Apr
    • Besser PAC Meeting 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      Besser PAC Meeting
      Date: Apr 17
      Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      Calendar: Besser Elementary Calendar
  • 18 Apr
  • 21 Apr

History

Located on twenty acres of land donated by local philanthropist Jesse Besser, the school opened in 1958 as an elementary school of the K-8 Thunder Bay School District. Besser became part of Alpena Public Schools as a junior high school in 1963. Due to declining enrollment, Besser was closed from 1983 until it reopened in 1986 as an elementary school.