APPROVED 4-6-20

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Board of Education Meeting Minutes (Monday, March 2, 2020)

Generated by Debbie Tressler on Monday, March 3, 2020

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. Morse read the District’s mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Members present
Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

Members absent

Miss Cameron Blackwell

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved with a revision to item #11A. Resolution 19-20-3.

F. Approval of Minutes Feb. 3, 2020

The minutes from the Feb. 3, 2020, meeting were approved as printed.

2. Awards and Presentations

A. Golden Apple Award, Mrs. Lynn Rickert

The Board presented Mrs. Lynn Rickert with the Golden Apple Award for her service to the District and its students.

3. School Reports

A. Sterling Elementary, Ms. Denise Kelly

The Sterling Elementary band students, under the direction of Mrs. Laurie, performed musical three pieces. Ms. Denise Kelly, Sterling Elementary principal, presented a PowerPoint highlighting the schools’ mission, culture, community, demographics, development plan, assessment scores and programs. She introduced a group of staff and students who invited the board and public to join them in two school meeting activities called "mindful movement" and "I'm happiest when...."
At 6:28 p.m., Mrs. Vadla recessed the meeting.
At 6:32 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.)

No comments were offered.

5. Hearing of Delegations

None.

6. Communications and Petitions

A. Mr. O'Brien

Mr. O’Brien noted that, for the first time in many years, the non-tenured contracts are presented for action in March and expressed appreciation for early notification of funding from Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly. He noted the upcoming retirements of Mr. John Pothast and Mrs. Debbie Tressler wished them both well. During its March 3 work session, among other topics, the board will discuss district substitutes and possible solutions for shortages. He explained the administration’s work on the district pandemic/epidemic plan which includes preparation, response, continuation of operations, and work with the KP Borough Emergency Management and administration and public health officials.

Upcoming Dates

March 3	Board work session
March 4	Interviews for board/superintendent secretary
March 5	Quest Film Festival at KCHS Auditorium
March 6	No school, end of 3rd quarter
March 9-13	Spring Break for most schools
March 17	Joint budget work session
April 1	Districtwide student council meeting, Homer High

7. Representatives 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. Anne McCabe, KPESA president, discussed her day and expressed reasons for which she is grateful such as district staff and students, board members, co-workers, our community, and training opportunities.

Mrs. Kim Bates spoke on behalf of KPEA president, Mr. David Brighton. She expressed appreciation for the board's work session on March 3 regarding district substitutes. She commented on the challenges staff members face if unable to locate a substitute when they need to be away from work.

8. Superintendent's Report

A. Mr. O'Brien

Mr. O’Brien expressed appreciation for a community that understands the value of being grateful and showing kindness. He congratulated Mr. Kaegan Koski and Miss Molly Koski on their Book Nook video literacy project and stated that Commissioner Johnson recently recognized them for their work. He also thanked Mr. Koski for his work at the Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) Youth Advocacy Institute. He congratulated district teams that will participate in the March basketball tournaments. He congratulated Ms. Carlyn Nicols, ASTE outstanding Educator of the Year. He congratulated Mr. Clayton Holland, Special Education Administrator of the Year and recently selected Assistant Superintendent of Instruction beginning July 2020. He thanked Ms. Cary and Mrs. Truesdell for their work at the AASB Legislative Fly-in. He noted the board member Vadla, Morgan and Kelly will attend the March AASB Legislative Fly-in. He restated that the district is working on pandemic/epidemic preparedness. He discussed the interviews for the superintendent and school board administrative assistant, to be held on Wednesday, March 4. He stated he is working with Mr. Holland on his transition to assistant superintendent. He said that Mr. Tony Graham will hold interviews for the Soldotna High School assistant principal on Thursday, March 5.

9. Reports

A. FY21 Preliminary Budget and Public Comment

Mr. Jones reported on the FY21 Preliminary General Fund Budget.
Mrs. Vadla invited members of the public to comment on the FY21 Preliminary General Fund Budget. No comments were offered.

B. January Finance Reports

Mr. Jones presented the finance report through January 2020.

C. Board Reports

Mr. Kelly attended the February 18 public budget forum and the February 21 coffee and conversation meeting, both in Homer.

Mr. Illg attended the February 4 Homer High School site council meeting.

Ms. Truesdell reported on her attendance to the February AASB Legislative Fly-In. She visited Soldotna Montessori and Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science. She attended a Love of Reading event at Mt. View Elementary February 28. She attended the public budget forum at Soldotna High School.

Mr. Tauriainen visited Nikiski North Star Elementary on February 18 and 20. He attended the Nikiski Middle High School site council meeting on February 6.

Ms. Cary reported on her attendance to the February AASB Legislative Fly-In. She discussed current legislative bills. She attended the public budget forum at Kenai Central High School on February 19. She attended the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on February 25. She attended the February 26 senior basketball night at Ninilchik School.
Ms. Morgan visited River City Academy on February 24 to be interviewed by Miss Molly Koski and visited classrooms while there. She attended the February 25 public budget forum in Seward.
Mr. Morse attended the public budget forum at Kenai Central High School on February 19. He attended the February 20 Mt. View Elementary School site council meeting.
Mrs. Vadla reported on her attendance to the February 19 Title VI meeting. She attended the Soldotna High School public budget forum and thanked Ms. Hayes and Mr. Jones for their work. She attended the February 21 town hall meeting with state legislators, organized by Representative Gary Knopp. She participated in the February 24 assistant superintendent interviews.

D. Committee Reports

Ms. Cary reported that the Board Policy Review Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.
Mr. Kelly reported that the Finance Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.

E. Board Work Session Report

Mrs. Vadla reported that the board held work sessions entitled: Board Policy, Social Studies Curriculum, Voznesenka Lease Agreement, FY21 Preliminary Budget and board discussion. 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

Resolution: Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-I

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10. B-I

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Virginia Morgan.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

B. Budget Transfers over $50,000

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

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10. B-I

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Virginia Morgan.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

C. 2019-20 Long-Term Substitute Teacher Contract(s)

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

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10. B-I

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Virginia Morgan.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

D. 2019-20 New Teacher Contract(s)

Resolution: Move to approve 2019-20 New Teacher Contract(s)

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10. B-I

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Virginia Morgan.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

E. Leave of Absence Extension Request/Support

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

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10. B-I

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Virginia Morgan.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

F. 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-I

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Virginia Morgan.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

G. 2020-21 New Teacher Contract(s)

Resolution: Move to approve 2020-21 New Teacher Contract(s)

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10. B-I

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Virginia Morgan.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

H. 2020-21 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s)

Resolution: Move to approve the 2020-21 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s)

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10. B-I

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Virginia Morgan.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

Action: I. 2020-21 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s) and Tenure

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10-I

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Virginia Morgan.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

Abstain: Jason Tauriainen

11. Action Items

A. Resolution 19-20-3 Identifying projects and requesting that the educational capital improvements bond be place on the October 2020 ballot *REVISED

Motion to adopt Resolution 19-20-3

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Virginia Morgan.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

B. Social Studies Curriculum Revision

Mr. Paul Marks spoke in support of the social studies curriculum revision. He requested the addition of a .5 credit course on economics.
Ms. Carol Strickland spoke in support of the social studies curriculum revision which includes physical maps.

Move to approve the 2020 Social Studies Curriculum Revision

Motion by Mike Illg, second by Debbie Cary.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

C. Voznesenka School Five-year Lease Extension

Move to exercise the option to extend the lease for the Voznesenka School for 5 years to expire June 30, 2025.

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Matt Morse.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

12. First Reading of Policy Revisions

None

13. Public Presentations/Comments

A. Public Presentations/Comments Any Topic

Ms. Winter Marshall-Allen spoke regarding the need for additional district substitutes. She spoke in support of the school bond proposals.
Mr. Paul Marks thanked the board for their work. He expressed appreciation for Sterling Elementary and Ms. Denise Kelly and noted that his son performed with the band during the school report. He stated that his sons will participate in the upcoming Native Youth Olympics in Homer.
Ms. Anne McCabe thanked Mrs. Tressler for her work for the district.

14. Board Comments

A. Board Comments

Mr. Kelly noted the resignation of Ms. Jeri McLean and thanked her for her service. He expressed appreciation for the approval of the non-tenured teacher contracts. He congratulated Ms. Lynn Rickert for her Golden Apple Award. He wished happy birthday to his mother-in-law, former Golden Apple Award winner. He thanked Mrs. Tressler for her service.
Mr. Tauriainen thanked Mr. O'Brien and the interview committee for selecting Mr. Holland as the new assistant superintendent. He noted the retirements of Ms. Laura Niemczyk, Mr. George Kelso and Mrs. Kellie Kelso. He thanked Mrs. Tressler for her service. He expressed appreciation that the non-tenured teacher contracts were approved in March.
Mr. Illg discussed the house bill regarding an increase to the base student allocation (BSA) and thanked Representative Andi Story for her work. He noted the resignations of Ms. Jeri McLean and Mr. Jonathon Sharp thanked them for their service. He appreciated that Mr. Holland will be the new assistant superintendent. He thanked Mrs. Tressler for her service.
Ms. Cary congratulated Ms. Lynn Rickert for her Golden Apple Award. She thanked Sterling Elementary and Ms. Kelly for their presentation. She thanked Ms. McCabe, Mrs. Bates, Mr. Marks, Ms. Strickland and Ms. Marshall-Allen for their comments. She congratulated Mr. Holland on his new position. She thanked Mr. Morse for his AASB report. She thanked Mrs. Tressler for her service.
Ms. Truesdell expressed appreciation for the Sterling Elementary school report and will plan to visit the school. She thanked Mrs. Tressler for her service. She expressed appreciation for the meeting and the day’s work. She expressed appreciation for social studies curriculum revision.
Ms. Morgan thanked Sterling Elementary for their presentation. She thanked Ms. McCabe for her comments. She expressed appreciation for the approval of the non-tenured teacher contracts. She thanked all Battle of the Books coaches for their work and congratulated the schools that finished in the top ten. She congratulated Ms. Carlyn Nichols on her award. She thanked Mrs. Tressler for her service.
Mr. Morse congratulated Mr. Holland on his new position. He congratulated Ms. Rickert on her award. He congratulated Mrs. Tressler on her retirement. He thanked everyone for attending. He thanked Ms. Kelly and Sterling Elementary for their report. He thanked fellow board members for attending the AASB Fly-ins on the board’s behalf.
Dr. Madden expressed appreciation to Mrs. Tressler. He congratulated Mr. Holland. He thanked Ms. Kelly and Sterling Elementary for their report. He congratulated Ms. Rickert on her award.
Mrs. Vadla thanked Mrs. Kelly for her school report. She congratulated Mr. Holland. She expressed appreciation for the approval of the non-tenured teacher contracts. She congratulated Ms. Rickert on her award. She thanked all sports and academic coaches for their work preparing students for competition. She congratulated local resident, Ms. Megan Youngren, for competing in the Olympic marathon trials. She encouraged everyone to support the capital improvement bond proposals. She thanked Representative Andi Story for her work on House Bill 236. She thanked Mrs. Bates and Ms. McCabe for their comments. She thanked Mr. Morse for his report on his AASB Winter Boardsmanship attendance. She expressed appreciation for Mr. Dan Carstens’ career development report. She congratulated Ms. Carlyn Nichols on her award. She thanked Mrs. Tressler for her service.

15. Executive Session

A. Executive Session

None

B. Adjourn Executive Session

16. Adjourn

A. Adjourn meeting

8:01 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mrs. Penny Vadla, President

Mr. Jason Tauriainen, Clerk

Submitted by Mrs. Debbie Tressler

Administrative Secretary to the Board of Education