Alpena Public Schools is considering a proposed $29 million bond to renovate and upgrade district facilities, with a possible May 2027 vote and a plan to begin community outreach in October or November.
The proposal was discussed Monday night at an Alpena Public Schools Board of Education meeting by Superintendent Dave Rabbideau and board members. If the board moves forward and voters approve the measure, the district’s debt millage would remain at 1.8 mills through 2037. The district’s existing debt millage is expected to fall to 1 mill after the 2026 debt levy.
The debt from both the existing and proposed bonds would be paid off by 2052, according to information discussed at the meeting.
What the proposed bond could fund
The $29 million proposal was introduced during a June 15 workshop by Clark Construction Company and IDI. IDI is preparing a finalized list of recommendations for how the potential bond proceeds could be used.
Rabbideau said the potential work would focus on architectural, mechanical and safety systems. Possible projects include window replacements, exterior and classroom doors, façade renovations, remaining flooring work, athletic upgrades at Alpena High School, and Americans with Disabilities Act and barrier-free accessibility improvements.
The list also includes alarm system enhancements and emergency lighting. The initiative is intended to align with the first phase of the district’s facilities master plan, which focuses on energy costs, educational quality and operational efficiency.
“Those fall into architectural, mechanical and safety systems, from window replacements, exterior doors, classroom doors...facade renovations which could include windows as well, remaining flooring, athletic upgrades at the high school, ADA and barrier free accessibility upgrades,” Rabbideau said in the meeting video.
How the proposal follows earlier district planning
Alpena Public Schools most recently passed a bond proposal in 2020, providing approximately $34 million for improvements across district facilities. Work began in summer 2021, and the main bond projects were completed in summer 2025 with renovations at Alpena High School.
The source article also describes the district’s total 2020 bond resources as $38.9 million. That bond paid for HVAC upgrades, secure entrances at all buildings, parking-lot repaving and other work.
Rabbideau said the district used the money carefully and supplemented the work through other funding. APS took advantage of a $7.1 million Trane Energy bond for energy upgrades that was paid through rebates at no cost to taxpayers. The district also used COVID funds strategically to offset costs that otherwise could have been charged to the 2020 bond.
In April 2025, the district contracted with Kingscott to develop a facilities master plan in response to declining enrollment. The plan has three phases: reducing and balancing energy costs; reducing operational square footage by optimizing space at Alpena High School and relocating Central Office functions; and continuing to monitor enrollment and facility-use trends after the first two phases are implemented.
Rabbideau also discussed properties the district has sold since 2021, including the former ACES Academy building and Wildcat Court properties. He said the sales helped APS generate income and reduce maintenance expenses so the district could support education programs and services.
Timeline and election questions
The district plans to involve community members and identify stakeholder groups to review the potential bond information in October or November. The finalized scope must be approved by Nov. 23, followed by submission of a preliminary qualification application in December.
The board is expected to formally approve a resolution calling an election in January. If pursued, the proposal would appear on the May 2027 ballot.
Board member Monica Dziesinski asked who would pay for campaign materials and the election. Rabbideau said Clark would pay for campaign materials. Mary Lyon, associate superintendent for business and operations, said it is normal for a construction manager to pay campaign costs when seeking the eventual contract. APS would not be responsible for campaign expenses if the proposal failed, while the district would pay the cost of the election itself. Each township determines what the district owes.
The proposal remains subject to further board action, development of the final project scope and voter approval.