APPROVED 1/15/19

Board of Education Information Committee Meeting (Thursday, November 15, 2018)

Generated by Debbie Tressler on Monday, December 10, 2018

1. Board Information Committee

A. Call to Order

10:00 a.m.

B. Roll Call

Members Present: Jason Tauriainen, Zen Kelly, Penny Vadla, Lynn Hohl
Members Absent: Joseph Yourkoski, student representative

C. Approval of Notes Aug. 28, 2018

The notes of Aug. 28, 2018 were approved as printed.

D. Approval of Notes Oct. 2, 2018

The notes of Oct. 2, 2018 were approved as printed.

E. Legislature Preparation

Mr. Dusek discussed the recent changes in the legislature after the Nov. 6, 2018 election. The committee further discussed the new make up of the senate and house, i.e. majority counts. Mr. Tauriainen noted that the new legislature will reconfirm the approved budget.
The committee discussed the new governor's department head appointments and possible leadership replacements, including the state board of education.
Mr. Dusek stated that the Kenai Peninsula Legislators will be invited to the board dinner on Dec. 3. He suggested that the Information Committee develop some questions for the legislators that attend. The attendees will be given district information, an overview of the district, an update since the annual report, and current successes.
The committee reviewed the AASB Legislative Fly-In dates.
Mrs. Vadla discussed the AASB Resolutions which were worked on during the Annual Conference.
Mr. Kelly discussed House Bill 287 (forward funding for Education), which has passed along with SB 26 and not subjected to governor's veto. Mr. Kelly discussed the options available to the new legislature.
Ms. Hohl joined the meeting at 10:25 a.m.
The committee discussed hard to fill positions in the district. Mr. Tauriainen suggested a different pay scale for positions such as special education teachers.

F. Assembly Updates

Mr. Dusek stated that the next quarterly update to the Borough Assembly will be on Dec. 4. He will review the information from the Key Communicators meeting and discuss retaining excellent staff. The committee discussed options for funding requests to the Borough Assembly.
Mr. Tauriainen discussed a meeting he attended where the mayor stated that his goal is to reduce deficit funding for the borough and that he has a plan.
The committee discussed long-term, sustainable funding for education.
The committee discussed the best ways to promote education funding ideas and various groups that could be involved in the process. Mr. Dusek voiced concerns over asking more (researching ideas) of an already bare bones district office staff.
Mr. Dusek will request joint budget work sessions with the borough, to begin in Jan.
The district's job is to request needs. The borough's job is to determine the means. The Assembly answers to their constituents.

The committee will consider a 45 minute work session with the mayor, chief of staff and finance director. The board can decide where they stand, based on what the borough says.
Using a SWOT analysis, the committee itemized the pros and cons of requesting additional funding for this year, e.g. to the maximum the borough allowable or the additional approximately $300,000 needed as a result of the lower enrollment count. Mr. Dusek suggested the Finance Committee complete the same SWOT analysis and then the board can discuss and decided how to proceed.
Mr. Kelly would like the Finance Committee to vet out the actual amount to be requested.
The board will discuss a position during the board special meeting on Dec. 3. Assembly meets Dec. 4. The request would be prepared possibly for Jan. but mentioned during the quarterly update on Dec. 4.

Next meeting date: Mr. Tauriainen will review the calendar and set a date.
Future agenda items: Communications to the staff, board, and district; e.g. health care extra enrollment period communications
Ms. Hohl will be absent for the Jan. meeting.

G. Adjourn

12:12 p.m.