The superintendent of Alpena Public Schools has received the highest grade possible from the board of education.

Brent Holcomb received a recap of his annual review from the board Monday night, and like each of his first four years at APS, he again earned the top rating on the evaluation form.

The board praised Holcomb for his “ability to think outside the box trying to accomplish essential goals through alternative means due to the instability of school district finances.”  He was commended for being a leader who can make hard choices, his visibility in the district and his regular and frequent communication with board members, staff and the community.

The board rewarded Holcomb by extending his contract by one-year, through June, 2014.  The contract is otherwise unchanged and does not call for a wage increase.

Holcomb also has high praise for the board, APS staff and the community.  “I work for an awesome board, an awesome school district and in an awesome community,” he added.

Holcomb was hired as superintendent of APS in 2007, replacing David Werner.