Alpena Schools Career Education Planning District Receives 1.1 Million Dollar Grant

The State of Michigan has granted Alpena School’s Career Education Planning District with 1.1 million dollars to support their Career and Technical Education program. The funds allow Alpena, and other CTE areas without a local CTE millage to receive support throughout the state. Joyce McCoy, Alpena Public Schools CTE director elaborates, “It’d definitely about having equity and equal access for all students. We’ve always wanted to makes sure Alpena kids can compete around the state of Michigan. These additional dollars we’ve been getting these last few years, and especially this large amount, we’re sure that our kids will be able to have a competitive edge as all students do in career and technical education.”

This grant will be used to upgrade equipment in the CTE programs at Alpena, Alcona, and Hillman High School. The CTE program prepares students for college and careers in everything from marketing to healthcare, construction, and much more.

While at the school, we met some CTE students in the construction program building a tiny house. Upon asking about the impact of the program, the students were eager to share what they’ve learned. Sierra Rose Martin, a junior at Alpena High School said, “This class out of every single one of my classes, I love this class the most because it does prepare you better for what you’re going to need out there in the job field for this specific thing.” Braxton Antkowiak, fellow AHS junior said, “It’s made me realize I love construction.” Arean Monnier, a senior at Alcona High School who travels to Alpena High School to participate in the program said, “I definitely like learning tools and getting used to them because at first I didn’t know much but I really kind of figured it out in the end.”

The students have worked on the tiny house since last year along with assistance from Weinkauf Heating and Air and John’s Electric. The school received a similar grant a couple of years ago to construct the building the tiny house is being assembled in. Funding, such as the grant received this year, will help keep local graduates on the cutting edge of the job force. “We know this is onetime money that probably won’t come again,” said McCoy. “It’s a great investment for Alpena and our area schools and we need to make sure we get what we need.”