APPROVED 5-1-17

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Board of Education Meeting Minutes 4/3/2017

Generated by Debbie Tressler on Wednesday, April 12, 2017

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order 6:00 p.m.

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

C. District Mission Statement

Mr. Holt read the district mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly (telephonically), Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla (telephonically), Joe Arness, Brian Dusek, student representative

Members Absent: Marty Anderson

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as revised with the addition of 11C. Board letter to the legislature regarding education funding.

Motion by Tim Navarre, second by Bill Holt.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Advisory Vote, Brian Dusek - Yes

F. Approval of Minutes

The minutes of March 6, 2017 were approved as printed.

Motion by Bill Holt, second by Lynn Hohl.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Advisory Vote, Brian Dusek - Yes

2. Awards and Presentations

None.

3. School Reports

Via Skype for Business, Kachemak-Selo School principal, Mr. Tim Whip described the school and its location. He shared a student created video highlighting the school classrooms, programs, community, extra-curricular activities, and students.

Via Skype for Business, Razdolna School principal, Mr. Tim Whip, and Ms. Laura Murphy discussed the school's demographics, facilities, community, schedule, extra-curricular activities, and programs including Project GRAD. They shared a student created video entitled "Being a Razdolna Student." Mr. Whip thanked the school board members for their service. He thanked the district office for its support. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to present his school report via video-conference.

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

No comments were offered.

5. Hearing of Delegations

Mrs. Karla Barkman, district librarian and technology coach, and a group of District librarians announced that April 10-15 is National Librarian Week. They presented an update on district libraries and their work. They presented a video highlighting some of the libraries and their programs. Mrs. Barkman invited the board to visit the school libraries.

6. Communications and Petitions

Mr. Dusek thanked Mrs. Whip for the "brain cell" gift. He noted Mr. Pothast’s information packet update on the Kenai land parcels and the options for the two inaccessible lots; this will return to the Board next Fall. He stated that Commissioner Johnson and the Chief Council of State School Officials will visit the District on Thursday, April 6, to interview and film the distance education program. The PEAKS state assessment window opened March 28 and will continue through April 28; testing is going well so far. Upcoming dates include: April 4, National School Library Day; April 5, Paraprofessional Day and school early release day; April 6 Key Communicator Update via video-conference and the Visual Feast at the Kenai Art Guild; and April 7 Governance Handbook Committee meeting. He reported that he will attend the Alaska Superintendent Association (ASA) Legislative Fly-In April 8-11. He stated that April 17 marks the 90-day limit for the legislature. April 27 is the tentative BP Teachers of Excellence banquet.

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

Mr. Daniel Bowen, KPEA representative, spoke in Mr. Brighton’s absence. He thanked the Board for their time and work. He encouraged the Board to approve the non-tenure teacher contracts. He reported that Mr. Brighton had spoken with Senator Micciche and the senator said that education funding would not be cut more than 2%.

Mrs. Patty Sirois, K.P.E.S.A. president, discussed the current District climate and the importance of teamwork. She asked to be invited to support staffing conversations. She congratulated Mr. Jodi Sparks, student, for his participation in a recent fiscal debate sponsored by the University of Alaska. She expressed appreciation for District paraprofessionals. She thanked the librarians for their presentation. She is looking forward to Spring and warm weather.

Ms. Debbie Cary, Ninilchik Site Council, thanked the Board for their work. She encouraged the Board to approve the FY18 Budget and request maximum funding.

8. Superintendent's Report

Mr. Dusek congratulated the Ninilchik School boys’ basketball team on their second consecutive state championship and Austin White as the Gatorade Player of the Year. Soldotna High School students, Jodi Sparks and Addison Downing, served as legislative interns in Juneau during Spring Break, testified to the Senate Finance Committee, and participated in the Alaska Fiscal Future Debate. He expressed appreciation for the recent mass band performance. He commented on the fine quality of the Young Americans Show at Mt. View Elementary and thanked Mr. Karl Kircher for bringing the group to the District. He announced that Mr. Alan Haskins was selected as the new principal for Seward Elementary and Ms. Jenny Martin was chosen for Seward Middle School. The Susan B. English School interviews are completed and the selection will soon be announced. The openings for Moose Pass principal and Mt. View assistant principal are currently advertised. Mr. Jones and Mr. Dusek have recently testified on several bills; the information is posted on the District’s legislative page. He discussed legislative progress and reiterated the value of people contacting legislators. He discussed the District’s Upstream Academy which will take place May 29 through June 3, 2017. He presented to the Kenai Rotary on March 22. He noted the recent good work done with the Borough Assembly. He continues to visit school sites as much as possible.

9. Reports

A. Finance Report

Mr. Jones presented the financial report of the District for the period ending February 2017.

B. Board Reports

Mr. Illg visited Ninilchik School on March 7. He participated in the March 21 joint budget work session. On March 23, he attended the Homer High School production of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown."

Mr. Navarre reported that he and Mr. Anderson attended the National School Board Association’s (NSBA) Annual Conference in Denver, March 25-27, 2017. He discussed the value of board professional development and training. He attended the Young Americans performance at Mt. View Elementary and expressed appreciation for the talent. He reported that the Board Information Committee met earlier in the day and discussed its agenda items.

Mr. Kelly participated in the March 21 joint budget work session. On March 23 he attended the Board Health Care Cost Committee and on March 24, the Information Committee meeting, both via Skype. On March 31 he attended the Association of Alaska School Board’s Career and Technical Education event in Juneau. He is currently in Juneau attended the AASB Spring Legislative Fly-In.

Mrs. Vadla participated in the March 21 joint budget work session. She attended the March 24 Information Committee meeting. On March 29 she attended the Education Elements presentation during the administrator meeting at Skyview Middle School. On March 31, as an AASB board of directors member, she helped judge the June B. Nelson Scholarship applications. She is currently in Juneau for the AASB Legislative Fly-In and attended an AASB board of directors meeting on April 1. She encouraged community members and parents to contact legislators and to write letters to the editor.

C. Committee Reports

Mr. Castimore reported that the Board Policy Review Committee met earlier in the day and discussed its agenda items.

Mr. Illg reported on his attendance to the District Wellness Committee on March 30.

Mr. Arness reported that the Health Care Cost Committee met on March 24 and discussed its agenda items.

Mr. Navarre offered the Board Information Committee report during Board Reports.

D. Board Work Session Report

Mr. Arness reported that the Board held work sessions entitled: Project GRAD, Six Year Plan, KPSAA Handbook Revision, Tableau-Data Visualization Report, Collaboration Report, Legislative Update, Innovation & Personalization - Education Elements, and FY18 Preliminary General Fund Budget. All members present at the meeting, attended the work sessions.

At 7:23 p.m., Mr. Arness recessed the meeting.

At 7:31 p.m. the Board reconvene in regular session.

10. Consent Agenda

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-J

Item C removed by Mrs. Vadla

Item J removed by Ms. Hohl

Motion by Lynn Hohl, second by Bill Holt.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried for items B, D, and E-I.

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Advisory Vote, Brian Dusek, Yes

B. Leave of Absence Requests/Support 2017-04-03

D. 2017-18 Tentative Administrator Contract(s)

E. 2017-18 Tentative Non-Tenured Teacher Contract(s)

F. 2017-18 Tentative Non-Tenured Teacher Contract(s) and Tenure

G. Resignation(s)

H. 2017-2018 Board of Education Tentative Meeting Dates

I. Presenter Credentials for Topics Related to Human Reproduction or Sexual Matters

C. 2016-17 Long-Term Substitute Contract(s)

Move to approve Agenda item 10 C

Motion by Lynn Hohl, second by Bill Holt.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Advisory Vote, Brian Dusek, Yes

J. Board Committee Assignment

Move to approve Agenda item 10 J

Motion by Lynn Hohl, second by Bill Holt.

Approve the assignment of Penny Vadla to the District English Language Arts Review Committee

Move to amend to accept the resignation of Ms. Hohl from the Board Information Committee.

Motion by Lynn Hohl, second by Bill Holt.

Motion Carried

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Advisory Vote, Brian Dusek, Yes

Approve the assignments to the District English Language Arts Review Committee as amended.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Advisory Vote, Brian Dusek, Yes

11. Action Items

A. Budget Transfer over $50,000

Move to approve the budget transfer as presented.

Motion by Bill Holt, second by Dan Castimore.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Advisory Vote, Brian Dusek, Yes

B. FY18 Preliminary General Fund Budget

Mr. Loren Reese spoke in support of Kenai Alternative School and maintaining its current staffing and budget.

Mr. Chris Brown shared a Homer Flex School information sheet with the Board and spoke in support of Homer Flex School and maintaining its current staffing and budget.

Move to approve the FY18 Preliminary Budget as presented (Scenario B).

Motion by Tim Navarre, second by Bill Holt.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

No: Dan Castimore

Advisory Vote: Brian Dusek, Yes

Move to amend the FY18 Budget by reducing the certified staffing at Kenai Alternative High School by ½ FTE and directing these funds to reducing the overall pupil teacher ratio.

Motion by Dan Castimore, second by Bill Holt.

Mr. Arness passed the gavel to Mr. Holt at 8:15 p.m. in order to comment on the amendment.

At 8:20 p.m. Mr. Holt returned the gavel to Mr. Arness.

Final Resolution: Motion Failed

Yes: Dan Castimore

No: Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Advisory Vote: Brian Dusek, No

Move to amend the FY18 budget by reducing expenses for school board member insurance by $80,112 and directing these funds to reducing the overall pupil teacher ratio.

Motion by Dan Castimore, second by Lynn Hohl.

Final Resolution: Motion Failed

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl

No: Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Advisory Vote: Brian Dusek, No

Move to amend the FY18 Budget by increasing the revenue from charter schools by a total of $15,696 by increasing the amount paid in rent by all charter schools by 2% and directing these funds to reducing the overall pupil teacher ratio.

Motion by Dan Castimore, second by Lynn Hohl.

Final Resolution: Motion Failed

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl

No: Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Advisory Vote: Brian Dusek, No

Move to amend the FY 18 Budget by reducing expenses to general fund for extracurricular activities by $99,683 and directing these funds to reducing the overall pupil teacher ratio.

Motion by Dan Castimore, second NONE.

Motion failed for lack of a second.

Move to amend the FY 18 Budget by reducing expenses to the general fund by $171,796 by closing the Skyview swimming pool and directing these funds to reducing the overall pupil teacher ratio.

Motion by Dan Castimore, second NONE.

Motion failed for lack of a second.

C. Letter from the Board regarding education funding

Move that the Board send a letter to the legislature regarding education funding.

Ms. Debbie Cary spoke in support of the letter and suggested it include a request for forward funding.

Motion by Tim Navarre, second by Lynn Hohl.

Final Resolution: Motion Failed

Yes: Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Tim Navarre

No: Dan Castimore, Zen Kelly, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Advisory Vote, Mr. Brian Dusek, Yes

12. First Reading of Policy Revisions

13. Public Presentations/Comments

Ms. Barb McGinnis thanked the Board for funding technology and spoke in favor of a special staffing formula for K-12 rural schools.

14. Board Comments

Mrs. Vadla thanked the meeting participants and presenters. She thanked Mr. Dusek, Mr. Jones, and Ms. Erkeneff for their work in preparing for the AASB Fly-In. She discussed the value of the AASB Fly-In and board member attendance.

Mr. Kelly thanked Mr. Whip and Ms. Murphy for their presentations. He discussed the value of the AASB Fly-In and board member attendance. He appreciates the Board and administration team and is looking forward to the upcoming work. He discussed the work remaining and the need for continued public input

Ms. Hohl told Mr. Illg about an upcoming production of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown” in Seward. She noted the resignation of Ms. Cindy Ecklund and expressed appreciation for her work. She said she recently visited with all five of her grandchildren at one time in Seattle. She expressed appreciation for the school reports, videos, work sessions including the Project GRAD update. She commented on the great Seward schools’ librarians and thanked Ms. Julie Doepken for attending and presenting. She wished everyone a Happy Easter.

Mr. Illg thanked all school librarians for their presentation. He congratulated Coach Nick Finley and the Ninilchik School boys’ basketball team on their state championship. He thanked Mr. Castimore for his budget amendments and acknowledged the need to consider all options for future budgets. He stated that the Alaska School Activities Association will host a board meeting in Nikolaevsk and Homer on April 22 and 23; he will assist with activities for this event. He discussed a fundraiser for Homer student Hoxey Parks who is receiving bone cancer treatment in Seattle. He noted the resignations of Kim Johnson, Monica Stockburger, and Laurie Martin.

Mr. Castimore thanked the Board for their patience during meeting. He expressed disappointment that athletics and activities funding are prioritized over staffing.

Mr. Navarre expressed disappointment that education funding is being used by the legislature as a bargaining chip but noted there are still many entities that support public education. He stated that sports, music, and art all effect education for students. He expressed appreciation for the day's debates and the importance of the Board's work.

Mr. Dusek expressed appreciation for the school reports and the librarians’ presentation. He reported that the Student Voice group met during the weekend of April 1-2 to discuss a graduation plan and thanked Ms. Erkeneff for her participation, via Skype. He stated that Soldotna High School’s prom was held last Saturday and he is still tired.

Mr. Arness noted the resignation of Ms. Phyllis Halstead. He stated that the Young Americans presentation was spectacular and he would like for the group to return and perform for the entire district, depending on the costs.

15. Executive Session

No Executive Session was needed.

16. Adjourn

At 9:16 p.m. Mr. Arness adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Mr. Joe Arness, President

Mrs. Penny Vadla, Vice President

Submitted by Mrs. Debbie Tressler

Administrative Secretary to the Board of Education