District's Millage Urgency Claims Don't Match Facts

In an effort to drum up support for an upcoming millage, Alcona Community Schools Superintendent Shawn Thornton is quoted in a local newspaper claiming teaching and support staff have been cut almost in half.

The Alpena News ran its article with the headline: “Millage needs to pass for Alcona Schools”

However, state data shows that teacher staffing levels went from about 66 to 53, a 19 percent reduction, which is slightly less than enrollment reductions.

Thornton didn’t reply to a request for comment.

Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational School District is proposing a regional enhancement millage that would raise about $5.6 million for four districts. Alcona would get $1.5 million. The election is Feb. 26.