News Photo by Crystal Nelson Alpena High School senior and student teller Savannah Servia on Friday works at the Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union’s Ossineke location. Servia will transition to the credit union’s branch in the high school’s media center when it opens next year.

ALPENA — The opening of a credit union at Alpena High School has been delayed for a second time this year.

The new branch of the Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union inside the school, designed as a place for students to gain work experience, was to open this month, but the opening has been delayed because of new district rules prohibiting visitors amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The credit union’s opening was previously postponed over a series of issues, including asbestos abatement at the high school.

Alpena High School Principal Tom Berriman said the credit union employee who would serve as manager at the high school’s branch is considered a visitor. Berriman said district officials will not allow visitors into the school until the region moves to Phase 6 of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s six-phase regional approach for economically reopening the state.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula — including Alpena, Presque Isle, and Montmorency counties — are in Phase 5 of the reopening plan, while areas south of those regions, including Alcona County, are in Phase 4.

Credit union officials are now hoping the bank can open in time for the second semester, which begins on Jan. 25.

Two students will work as tellers at the new credit union when it opens. In the meantime, they are learning and working at other AAACU locations in the area.

Senior Savannah Servia has been working as a co-op teller with the credit union since October 2019 and is looking forward to the high school location’s opening.

“I’ve been preparing for this for almost a year and am looking forward to working with my fellow co-op teller and being among students and teachers,” she said.

Construction of the high school branch wrapped up this week with the installation of interactive television monitors and the ATM machine near the back entrance of the high school.

Students and staff are now able to use the ATM machine to withdraw money.

“I’m excited to have this project completed, and I’m looking forward to getting it open and letting staff and students use it,” LeAnn Schultz, AAACU’s director of marketing, said.

Schultz said credit union officials understand the district’s decision and want to do what’s right for the health and safety of everyone.

Located in the high school’s media center, the student-run credit union gives students the opportunity to learn about banking and financial literacy. Students are able to open their own account, receive a debit card, and learn how a checking account works.

Schultz previously told The News the new location will be a full-service branch, with interactive tablets and monitors for students to learn on.