Alpena Public Schools has officially adopted the entire Schools of Choice program.

The district has participated as a school of choice in the past, except under section 105c of the program, which addresses students from contiguous districts but from a different intermediate school district.

APS is part of the AMA-ESD.  In the past, students from other AMA-ESD districts, such as Alcona or Hillman, were free to enroll in Alpena and Alpena kids could enroll there as well, at no cost to either district.

The APS Board of Education this week, also agreed to participate in section 105c of the program.  That means the district will pick up any costs associated with special education students who leave APS for schools outside the AMA-ESD, such as Posen or Rogers City.

Conversely, other school districts who participate in the program must cover costs associated with their special ed students enrolling at APS.

APS superintendent Brent Holcomb had previously been reluctant to participate as a 105c district, but now doesn’t feel there are any reasons not to.