4.14.26
Rehmann Employee Engagement Survey
Under the Personnel pillar of our Strategic Plan, we remain deeply committed to attracting, recruiting, retaining, and developing a premier workforce. To ensure we are meeting these goals with data-driven precision, the Board of Education and Administration has agreed to a four-year partnership with Rehmann to conduct our annual Employee Engagement Survey. Building on the data from the last two years, we continue to collaborate with our staff to identify specific ways we can enhance their professional experience.
This work is directly tied to the Board’s goal of reaching a 90% one-year retention rate for new employees by 2030. This year’s engagement survey is open until April 17th. We view employee feedback as a critical driver of our district's success and encourage all staff members to share their perspectives as we work together to make our district an exceptional place to work.
Emergency Response Web Page
www.alpenaschools.com/page/emergency-resources
Alpena Public Schools website now maintains a comprehensive emergency resource network. We partner with over 40 local agencies through the Alpena County Emergency Operations Center. The district provides a centralized hub for community support that includes:
Shelter and Warming Centers: Coordination with county and township facilities to provide overnight emergency housing, daytime warming stations, and electronic charging hubs during power outages or extreme weather.
Food and Nutrition Security: A network of community partners—including local churches, the Salvation Army, and the Boys and Girls Club—offering daily hot meals and food pantries accessible to both students and the general public.
Health and Safety Support: Specialized services such as oxygen refill stations through MyMichigan Health Systems and guidance on property protection, such as winterization and damage documentation.
Utility and Infrastructure Liaison: Real-time updates and contact information for local power, water, and road commissions to help residents track restoration efforts and report service issues.
Emergency Communications: Direct access to regional dispatch services, non-emergency public safety contacts, and the CodeRED emergency notification system for instant community alerts.
Last Day of School
We are currently determining the final day of school for the year. As of now, we anticipate needing to make up one school day, excluding the recent closures caused by the ice storm. To recoup this day, we plan to schedule Friday, May 22nd, as our makeup day. This is the most viable option for meeting the state-mandated 75% district-wide attendance requirement, as it includes our seniors before they conclude their year on May 29th. Once the senior class finishes, meeting these mandates becomes significantly more difficult.
We will discuss this makeup day and the status of the ice storm closures at the Board of Education Workshop meeting this Monday, April 20th. The Board of Education is responsible for deciding on the makeup day and the forgiveness of ice storm days, pending legislative approval. We will provide an official update as soon as a final decision is reached.
ADA Compliance for Website and Social Media
In April 2026, updated federal requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will take effect. These updates significantly expand digital accessibility expectations for K–12 public school districts, ensuring that all communication—including websites, documents, and video content—is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.
To remain compliant with these essential new standards, Alpena Public Schools is adjusting how we share content online. As a result, you will notice a reduction in the number of photos we post on social media at one time. This shift ensures that every piece of media we share meets the rigorous accessibility requirements mandated by law.
Our commitment to keeping you informed remains unchanged. We appreciate your patience as we adapt our digital practices to ensure our district is inclusive and accessible for every member of our community.
Reimagine our Future: Together
As we navigate the complexities of declining enrollment and the unique transportation demands of our district’s massive geographic footprint, our focus remains steadfast: maximizing the performance of every school for every student. As a part of our Strategic Plan’s Stewardship goal, we have been engaging in forward-thinking work to ensure APS is positioned for long-term stability by asking important questions:
How do we structure our facilities to better support learning?
How can we leverage enhanced student experiences to remain a district of choice?
How can we aggressively reduce energy and operational costs to ensure more dollars reach the classroom?
Your feedback revealed a few core community values: Equity, Stewardship, Reinvestment, and Stability. We are committed to turning operational efficiencies into direct investments in our students’ futures, ensuring that resources support people and programs rather than excess square footage. On March 23rd, we hosted our third community forum to dive deeper into these strategies. If you weren’t able to join us, I encourage you to view the forum here to see the data and initial proposals. Your voice is a critical part of this process. Please share your feedback through our community surveys so we can ensure our long-term plan truly reflects the values of the families we serve.
Surveys
Use the QR Codes below to provide feedback on our Reimagine Our Future: Together project.
