ACC interested in expanding into Presque Isle County

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

Alpena Community College (ACC) is interested in expanding its districts lines into Presque Isle County, which would provide a significant savings for the new in-district students, but will taxpayers be willing to foot the bill? County voters may be asked that very question sometime next year. Olin Joynton, ACC president, has been giving presentations to several county entities in recent months regarding a proposed referendum to change the ACC boundaries and ask for a new millage of 2.5 mills. Joynton appeared before members of the Rogers City Area Schools Board of Education Monday night trumpeting the benefits of the expanded opportunities and services for county residents.

Joynton said there could be improved technological infrastructure, the development of facilities and the hiring of full-time staff. ?We would be looking at working with you to figure which of those kinds of programs would be valuable for your citizens,? Joynton told the board. The ACC board of trustees could vote on a resolution this month or next, to proceed with the process to bring a referendum to Rogers City’s school board.

?If the ACC trustees pass a resolution, it next goes to the superintendent of public instruction, Mike Flanagan,? said Joynton. ?Then it would come to you for a final vote, whether or not you would proceed with the two part referendum.? The issue could go before voters in May. Alpena County residents approved a renewal of 2.5 mills for 10 years in 2008. A homeowner with a taxable valuable of $50,000 would see an increase on their tax bill of about $125 a year. Presque Isle students would save $1,400 a year on tuition and fees if approved.

DURING JOYNTON’S presentation, he spoke of the virtues of attending a post high school learning institution such as ACC. There were 215 students from Presque Isle County, who took classes at the two-year college and 223 in the spring. Of the 446 record setting graduates last May, Joynton said 60 were from Presque Isle. ACC officials would like to build on the number of classes currently offered at different sites in the county.

A name change also could be in the offing, Joynton said. ?Something that sounds a little

less Alpena-centric,? he said. ?My favorite is Lake Huron College. There?s a Lake Michigan College in our state. There?s Lake Superior College. We?re running out of Great Lakes. I would like to use that for us. It would symbolize a more regional outreach.?

Joynton, who already has made presentations before the school boards in Posen and Rogers City, said ACC officials have been in a public awareness mode. ?I have talked to a lot of people, probably in the hundreds now, and this is my 16th presentation and I?ve only had two people come up to me and say the people can?t assume anymore tax burden.”

Presque Isle and Krakow Townships are already part of the ACC district. A public meeting could be planned in the near future for anyone to get questions answered.