APPROVED 4-1-19

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Board of Education Meeting Minutes March 4, 2019

Generated by Debbie Tressler on March 5, 2019

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

6:00 p.m.

B. Pledge of Allegiance/National Anthem/Alaska Flag Song

C. District Mission Statement

Ms. Cary read the District’s mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Members present
Debbie Cary, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Tanis Lorring, student representative

Members absent

Greg Madden

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.

F. Approval of Minutes Feb. 11, 2019 Special Meeting

The minutes from the Feb. 11, 2019 special meeting were approved as printed.

G. Approval of Minutes Feb. 11, 2019 Meeting

The minutes from the Feb. 11, 2019 meeting were approved as printed.

2. Awards and Presentations

None.

3. School Reports

A. Nikolaevsk School, Mr. Mike Sellers

Mr. Mike Sellers, Nikolaevsk School principal, introduced music teacher Mr. Jonathan Crocker. Mr. Crocker introduced students Miss Genevieve Cully, Mr. Justin Trail and Mr. Michael Sellers Jr., who performed "Folsom Prison Blues and "Trying to Get to You.” Mr. Sellers and students Mr. Nate Dooley and Mr. Eli Dooley presented a PowerPoint highlighting the school's vision and mission statement, academic programs, PBIS and other programs. Ms. Nianiella Dorvall, former student, shared her experiences as a student and her college successes and studies in the medical field.
At 6:32 p.m., Mrs. Vadla recessed the meeting.
At 6:37 p.m., the board reconvened in regular session.

4. Public Presentations/Comments (Items not on the agenda)

A. Public Presentations/Comments (Items not on the agenda.)

Mr. Nelson Ooka spoke regarding BP 6020 Parent Involvement and ask the board to enforce the policy.
Ms. Heidi Stokes, Ms. Heidi Adams, spoke regarding the FY20 budget, possible school consolidations and the value of small schools.
Mr. Jaxon Adams spoke regarding his experience as a student at Chapman School.
Mr. Paul Marks spoke regarding the FY 20 budget and proposed cuts.

5. Hearing of Delegations

None.

6. Communications and Petitions

A. Mr. Dusek

Mr. Dusek noted this month’s resignations and thanked the retirees for their service. He reported that this year’s immunization audit was very successful and thanked Ms. Wertz and all nurses for their work. The State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is working to transfer the responsibility of TB testing to health care medical providers instead of school nurses.

Upcoming dates

March 5	Board work session at Soldotna Prep Joint budget work session with Assembly
March 8	End of 3rd quarter
March 11 -15	Spring break
March 21	Budget presentation and Superintendent finalist selection
March 27	Administrator meeting
April 1	Board meeting with action on the budget

7. Representative selected by the following: Advisory Committees, Site Councils and/or Authorized Student Support Organizations, K.P.A.A., K.P.E.A., K.P.E.S.A., Borough Assembly

A. Speakers

Ms. Rachel Sinclair, KPESA president, spoke regarding the difficulty for the board to develop the FY20 budget and thanked them for their work.
Mr. David Brighton, KPEA president, noted the challenges of the day's meetings. He thanked the board for their work. He suggested the board develop the budget based on district needs. He will lobby in Juneau soon. He said that some teachers are considering looking for a teaching job elsewhere. He expressed the desire to complete the negotiation process.
Mr. Wayne Ogle, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, discussed the upcoming March 5 joint budget work session. He explained the Borough's challenges with their budget. He noted the cuts that the school board will need to make. He discussed the state budget and unintended consequences that can occur from school closures. He discussed Senator Micciche and Representative Carpenter's Town Hall meeting on Feb. 23.

8. Superintendent's Report

A. Mr. Dusek

Mr. Dusek expressed appreciation for the Nikolaevsk band performance. He commented on last weekend’s district forensics and the great student performances, which demonstrate education in various ways. He expressed his concerns over the recent college ready report. He congratulated Seward Elementary School who received an award for providing apple pies to active military personnel, “Operation Apple Pie.” He congratulated Nikolaevsk School on their regional basketball successes and wished them well at the state competition. Seward High School will host the region basketball tournament this weekend. He thanked Miss Dorvall for her presentation. He expressed pride for the district, its students and successes. He congratulated Mrs. Heather Stockton of K-Beach Elementary, Alaska Association of School Librarians staff member of the year, and Ms. Jill Gann of Kenai Central High, Linda Barret Service Award winner. He reminded the board of the joint budget work session on March 5 at 2:00 p.m. He expressed the need for the Borough Assembly to provide the district with maximum funding which will send a message to the state that they support education. The senate and house finance committees are working on their proposed state budgets. He encouraged the public to look for opportunities to testify to the legislature. He thanked Mr. Jones and Ms. Hayes for their work on the public budget forums. He discussed the current work on the FY 20 budget and stated that the school board will work hard and make the best possible decisions and minimize the consequences as much as possible. He attended the KCHS Job Shadow event, an opportunity for students to experience work related jobs. He will be out of the office March 18-24 to visit his son; Mr. O’Brien will serve as acting superintendent. He said his current focus is on working with the legislature and borough to solve the budget issues.

9. Reports

A. January Finance Reports

Mr. Jones presented the finance report through January 31, 2019. He explained possible funding scenarios based on governor's budget and the effects on the funding amount allowed from the Kenai Peninsula Borough. He stated that the legislature has the ability to fund education at an acceptable level. He encouraged the public and staff to talk to legislators.

B. Board Reports

Mr. Illg visited Skyview Middle School on Feb. 12. On Feb. 19, he attended the Homer High public budget forum. He reported on his participation in the Feb. 21 KPSAA Executive Board meeting. On Feb. 26, he attended the volleyball match at Homer Middle School. He attended the March 1 Wellness Committee meeting. On March 2, he attended Representative Sarah Vance’s Town Hall meeting.

Ms. Cary reported on her attendance to the Feb. 8-13 Association of Alaska School Board (AASB) Legislative Fly-In in Juneau. She attended the Feb 19 Borough Assembly meeting. She attended the Feb. 21 public budget forum at Soldotna High School. On March 1, she attended Representative Sarah Vance’s Town Hall meeting in Ninilchik. She has been listening to state level education and budget meetings. She encouraged everyone to listen and to get involved.
Ms. Hohl reported on her attendance to the Feb. AASB Legislative Fly-In in Juneau. She encouraged the public to contact the borough mayor and the governor.
Mr. Castimore visited Kenai Middle School and Mt. View Elementary on President's Day.
Miss Lorring reported on her attendance to the AASB Youth Advocacy Institute in Juneau. She attended the district wide student council meeting earlier in the day in Seward where she reported on the Student Advisory Committee’s work.
Mr. Kelly attended the Feb. 19 Homer public budget forum and Sarah Vance’s March 2, Town Hall meeting.

Mr. Tauriainen attended the Feb. 20 public budget forum at Soldotna High School. He met with the finance department to discussed health care issues on Feb. 25. On Feb. 27, he missed the Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science (KSAS) lunch due to work but visited the school later in the day. On March 1, he participated in book bingo at Nikiski North Star Elementary. He attended multiple basketball games. He noted that 3A and 4A regional basketball tournaments take place this weekend.
Mr. Morse attended the Feb. 19 Borough Assembly meeting. He attended the Feb. 27 KSAS lunch with the students that created the board self-portraits.
Mrs. Vadla reported on her attendance to the Feb. AASB Legislative Fly-In in Juneau. She thanked administration for the information they provided to share with state legislators. At the Fly-in, she joined Mr. Dusek to present a session on the superintendent evaluation process. She attended the public budget forum at Soldotna High. She participated in the KSAS lunch on Feb. 27. She attended the recent Title VI Advisory committee meeting.

C. Committee Reports

Mr. Kelly reported that the Finance Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.
Mr. Castimore reported that the Board Policy Review Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.
Mrs. Valda reported that the Superintendent Search Oversight Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.

D. Board Work Session Report

Mrs. Vadla reported that the board held work sessions entitled: Board Policy, Superintendent Search Update, and Pools and Theaters. She gave a brief recap of each session. All members present at the meeting, attended the work sessions.

10. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Consent Agenda

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-D

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla

Advisory Vote: Tanis Lorring

B. 2018-19 Long-Term Substitute Teacher Contract(s)

Resolution: Move to approve long-term substitute teacher contract(s)

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-D

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla

Advisory Vote: Tanis Lorring

C. Leave of Absence Request-Certified

Resolution: Move to approve the request for an unpaid leave of absence

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-D

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla

Advisory Vote: Tanis Lorring

D. Budget Transfers over $50,000 2019-3-4

Resolution: Move to approve budget transfer in excess of $50,000.

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-D

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla

Advisory Vote: Tanis Lorring

11. Action Items

None.

12. First Reading of Policy Revisions

A. BP Series 2000 Administration

The Board was presented a first reading of Board Policy Series 2000 Administration.

Ms. Hohl will email some suggested revisions to Mrs. Tressler.

13. Public Presentations/Comments

A. Public Presentations/Comments Any Topic

Ms. Tamra Wear reported on current school library events, including Battle of the Books and the March Madness competition.

14. Board Comments

A. Board Comments

Mr. Kelly discussed recent challenges. He discussed the board's work on the budget and stated that the board is not just looking at numbers but communities. He encouraged the public to contact him and share their ideas and suggestions.
Mr. Castimore agreed with Mr. Kelly’s comments. He discussed the idea of releasing a status quo budget and the problems that might create including make decisions at the last minute.
Mr. Illg congratulated the Homer High School Nordic girls’ team on their state championship. He stated that Representatives Vance and Carpenter and Senators Micciche and Stevens are the important to contact regarding education funding.
Ms. Hohl reported that the statewide National Ocean Sciences Bowl was held in Seward Feb. 22-23. She expressed appreciation for the self-portrait from KSAS; she would like to take the portrait home with her in Sept. She expressed appreciation for the Nikolaevsk report. Ms. Hohl stated that her husband taught a friend of Miss Dorvall’s that attended AVTEC. She requested that board policies requiring parental notification by summarized in the parent/student handbook. She requested to phone in for March 21 board meeting. She spoke of recent community member losses in the Seward community including Mr. Willard Dunham.
Ms. Cary thanked Nikolaevsk and Mr. Sellers for the presentation. She congratulated Nikolaevsk on the regional basketball win and wished them good luck in state. She expressed appreciation for those who spoke during the meeting. She said the board is working on an equitable budget, that the administration cares, and works hard every day for students. She encouraged the public to get involved.
Mr. Tauriainen discussed his experience in education growing up on the Kenai Peninsula. He discussed the possible reductions information that was shared during the day’s Finance Committee meeting. He thanked everyone for their support and encouraged everyone to talk to state legislators.
Mr. Morse thanked Nikolaevsk for their presentation. He encouraged everyone to contact legislators and borough assembly members.
Miss Lorring discussed Senator Micciche's Town Hall meeting comments regarding the governor's budget. She urged everyone to get involved.
Mrs. Vadla thanked Ms. Wear for her report. She thanked the sports and academic teams for their hard work. She encouraged everyone to get involved and speak up. She thanked the people that emailed, called or spoke to her. She expressed appreciation for the weekly student highlight reports. She congratulated Mr. Darin Jones on his retirement. She thanked the audience for attending. She commented on the value of education. She expressed appreciation for Mr. Sellers and his school report.

15. Executive Session

None

16. Adjourn

A. Adjourn meeting

8:01 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mrs. Penny Vadla, President

Mr. Dan Castimore, Clerk

Submitted by Mrs. Debbie Tressler

Administrative Secretary to the Board of Education