Alpena Public Schools Request Bond Sales to Update Structures and Security Systems

Alpena Public Schools could be facing a number of large scale changes in the future.

“There are doors and things that need to be fixed. Lock systems. We need to look at the high school for ways to remove some doorways, and things to not have so many entry points to it.”

That’s just one of many things the district is aiming to change with the proposal of a bond sale to renovate buildings in the district.

“Roofs, boilers, some repairs that are needed of floors of some sinking settlements, concrete…those kind of things that are in major disrepair that we don’t get extra money at all for.

John VanWagoner, Superintendent of Alpena Public Schools, says the best way to get the schools up to date is to ask that taxpayers accept up to a 2–mill increase.

“In order to be able to do that, it would take a vote of our taxpayers to be able to make those things happen.”

In addition to ramping up security, money received would go to repairing water damage, eliminating asbestos, and reconstructing Ella White Elementary. VanWagoner says the Board of Education has a limited time to decide.

“If they decide to go for a bond, they have to decide that by February 6th.”

Residents can log onto AlpenaSchools.com for updates and information regarding the bond and renovations.