APPROVED 7-13-2020

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Minutes Board of Education Meeting Monday, June 1, 2020

Generated by Lisa Gabriel on Monday, June 1, 2020

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

Called to order at 6:00 p.m.

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

C. District Mission Statement

Mr. Kelly read the District’s mission statement.

Roll Call

Members present

Penny Vadla, Participating via Polycom:Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

Absent: Greg Madden

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.

F. Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the May 6, 2020 meeting were approved as printed.

2. Awards and Presentations

A. Golden Apple Awards, Ms. Margaret Griffin, Mrs. Sharon Hale, Ms. Red Asselin Martin

The Board presented Ms. Margaret Griffin with the Golden Apple Award for her service to the District and its students.

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

The Board presented Ms. Red Asselin Martin with the Golden Apple Award for her service to the District and its students.

3. School Reports

None.

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

A. One member of the public offered comments.

Ms. Tammy Miller commented regarding summer activities. COVID 19 has made life very difficult for everyone. She expressed that she wants to see all kids in school for the fall.

5. Hearing of Delegations

None.

6. Communications and Petitions

A. Mr. O'Brien

Mr. O’Brien discussed the general information packet items including the summer maintenance schedule and projects for school facilities. He discussed district level results to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Hanover Student Climate and Mindset Survey. He noted that the results show many students are struggling right now with mental health and social and emotional challenges. He thanked the board of education for providing funding for elementary counselors. He appreciated Mr. Holland and the Student Support Services department for their work on the Special Education Grant. He noted that the KPBSD has received many emails from parents and community members to open schools and athletic facilities. He stated that COVID 19 cases have recently increased significantly on the Peninsula and that it is important that the public health mandates and advisories are followed and that we have safe mitigation plans in place to protect our students, staff and community. The plan is to have gyms open by July 1, and shortly after that for pool uses. The decisions will be made based upon the statistics and metrics from the state regarding COVID 19. He reminded the board that June 2nd is the Board of Education planning session. Included will be a presentation on the 5 year strategic plan and the review of the board of education goals. He and Mr. Jones will be presenting the Annual report to Borough Assembly and will highlight the 50 million dollar funding request from the borough to the school district. He will also discuss the postponement of the 30 million dollar bond and also an extension for the Kachemak Selo building project. Mr. O'Brien is continuing to meet with principals for their end-of-year check out meetings. He reminded the board that the next meeting is July 13th due to the holiday.

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

None.

8. Superintendent's Report

A. Mr. O'Brien

Mr. O’Brien celebrated the Class of 2020 for the accomplishments, especially for their perseverance through wildfires, a possible strike and a global pandemic. Many major life events happened this year. He celebrated the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals selection of Mr. Eric Pederson as Alaska’s National Distinguished Principal for 2020. He celebrated Mr. Chris Brown, for being awarded the Alaska Region III Principal of the year. He noted that Assistant Superintendent Clayton Holland is working with the School Smart Start 2020-2021 Group. The parent and staff survey will close soon. The district will be reaching out to those stakeholders again later in the summer. Summer hiring and recruiting is in full swing. The Human Resources department is getting creative with virtual job fairs and hiring retired staff in certain situations. He continues to meet weekly with the superintendents from the Big 5 school districts.

9. Reports

None.

A. April Finance Reports 2020-6-1

Mr. Jones presented the finance report through June 1, 2020.

B. Lease Agreements for 2020-2021

Mr. Jones presented the lease agreements for 2020-2021.

C. Board Reports

Mr. Illg reported that he participated in the Homer High School graduation. He commended the staff for their planning. He congratulated the Class of 2020.

Ms. Truesdell attended the Hope graduation, the Soldotna High School graduation (virtually) and the Kaleidoscope site based council meeting.

Mr. Tauriainen attended the Nikiski High School graduation practice and ceremony. He brought the Nikiski Fire Department ladder truck to the ceremony. This was the first outdoor graduation in Nikiski High School history.

Mr. Morse attended zoom meetings to plan the KCHS graduation. On May 18 he attended Kenai Alternative High School graduation, on May 19 the Nikolaevsk School graduation and on May 20 he attended the Kenai Central High School graduation.

Ms. Morgan attended the Cooper Landing school zoom presentation of Written and Illustrated Authors. She viewed awards ceremonies and the kindergarten graduation. She viewed and enjoyed videos from Hope, Connections and Seward’s graduation ceremonies and enjoyed photos of Sewards graduates around town.

Mrs. Vadla joined the AASB Board of Directors meeting with Commissioner Johnson on May 7. On May 8 she started with the KPBSD School Start Up Committee and also met on May 12,14,19,20. On May 21 she virtually attended the Connections graduation. She viewed the Tebughna School video. She worked on the Start-up Committee on May 26 and 29. She zoomed into the Soldotna High School and River City Academy graduations and made calls to principals to congratulate the graduates.

D. Committee Reports

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

Mr. Tauriainen reported that the Board Information 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 Review, Substitute and Temporary Wages, 2020-2021 Fall Restart Update, KPSAA Handbook Updates. She gave a brief recap of each session.

10. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Consent Agenda

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

Administration recommends approval of Consent Agenda items 10 B-H

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Patti Truesdell.