DSoldotna Elementary Charter School Initial Application

Administration's Recommendation:

Recommendation: Do Not Approve

Following a comprehensive review of the Soldotna Elementary Charter School application, including input from KPBSD District Leadership during the October 26, 2026, Board of Education Work Session, District Leadership does not recommend approval of the application.

While KPBSD supports educational choice and recognizes the commitment of families and community members seeking additional educational opportunities, the application contains four significant deficiencies that prevent the District from determining whether the proposed charter school can operate successfully and meet applicable requirements.

1. Lack of an Available Facility

The application does not identify a secured or available facility for the proposed charter school. KPBSD has established plans to relocate Soldotna Elementary and Redoubt Elementary students into a newly renovated facility. The existing Soldotna Elementary building is designated for continued use by Soldotna Montessori Charter School and the relocation of the KPBSD Connections Correspondence Program, with a portion of the building scheduled for demolition. Without an identified facility and occupancy agreement, the District cannot determine the feasibility or cost of operating the proposed charter school.

2. Incomplete and Unsubstantiated Budget

The proposed budget does not accurately reflect the anticipated costs of operating the school. District Leadership identified approximately $1.1 million in differences between the application's projected expenditures and the District's estimates, primarily involving staffing, benefits, utilities, curriculum, and district-provided services. Additional costs associated with technology, furniture, equipment, and other operational needs remain unresolved. These differences have not been reconciled, and the District cannot verify that the proposed charter school would operate within its projected revenue without additional financial support.

3. Inadequate Transportation Plan

The application proposes continuing transportation services currently provided to Soldotna Elementary students without adequately addressing the transportation requirements applicable to charter schools. The proposal does not establish available bus routes, student eligibility, transportation capacity, or associated costs. Without a verified transportation plan, the District cannot determine whether the proposed services are operationally or financially feasible.

4. Lack of a Compliant Charter School Application and Admission Process

The application proposes automatically enrolling students residing within the existing Soldotna Elementary attendance boundary through the District's standard registration process. However, AS 14.03.265(b) and KPBSD Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 6187 establish requirements for charter school applications, admissions, and student selection. The proposed enrollment model does not clearly establish a compliant application process and contains inconsistencies regarding student eligibility, enrollment procedures, and lottery requirements. Charter school enrollment must be based on family choice and applicable admission procedures rather than the automatic transfer of students from an existing neighborhood school.

District Leadership Conclusion

The District Leadership Team has a responsibility to provide the Board of Education with accurate information regarding the educational, operational, and financial feasibility of a proposed charter school.

Without an available facility, a complete and financially supportable budget, a feasible transportation plan, and an application and admission process consistent with Alaska law and KPBSD Board Policy, District Leadership cannot support approval of the Soldotna Elementary Charter School application.

For these reasons, KPBSD District Leadership recommends that the Board of Education not approve the Soldotna Elementary Charter School application as submitted.

Background Information: 

September 30, 2026, Soldotna Elementary Charter School, APC, submitted the Soldotna Elementary Charter School Initial application.

October 5, 2026, the Charter School Oversight Committee was presented the Soldotna Elementary Charter School Initial application and postponed the Soldotna Elementary Charter School Initial Application to the October 19, 2026 committee meeting to further review the application.

October 19, 2026, the Charter School Oversight Committee further reviewed the Soldotna Elementary Charter School Initial application and placed it on the October 26, 2026 Board of Education work session schedule. 

October 26, 2026, the Board of Education held a work session to review the Soldotna Elementary Charter School Initial application and placed the application on the November 2, 2026 Business meeting for action. 

The Soldotna Elementary Charter School Initial application is presented on the agenda this evening for Board action.