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Dialogue, discussion, and discord at APS town hall

ALPENA, Mich. — At Tuesday night’s town hall the community, including concerned parents, came out to express their views on topics discussed at recent school board meetings.  Well into the town hall, an altercation took place resulting in local police intervening.

Just minutes before the altercation, Alpena resident Michael Mantas, who was involved in the fallout, shared his concerns about Critical Race Theory.  He said teaching anti-racism assumes people like him are racist and he said his experience in Alpena has not been that.

Alpena resident Paige Johnson shared a different experience.  Johnson said she has been spit on and harassed because of her race when she attended school in Alpena.  Johnson’s children now attend Alpena Public Schools and she said it is important for the school to address safety.  She adds that the school should educate students to accept differences and learn about differences.

One speaker defending the LGBTQ community said there should be a fair policy put in place by the school.

Superintendent David Rabbideau said they will have more of these town halls in the near future.