APPROVED 6-5-17

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Board of Education Meeting Minutes Monday, May 1, 2017

Generated by Debbie Tressler on Tuesday, May 2, 2017

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order 6:03 p.m.

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

C. District Mission Statement

Mr. Illg read the district mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Members present: Marty Anderson, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness, Brian Dusek, student representative

Members Absent: Bill Holt

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved with the following revisions: Item 5A. AVTEC Update, Ms. Cathy LeCompte moved to 3C., and the addition of item 3D. Dr. Darlene Willis, National PTA representative.

Move to remove item 11A Six Year Plan 2018-2023

Motion by Dan Castimore, second by Zen Kelly.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Marty Anderson, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness, Advisory Vote, Brian Dusek: Yes

F. Approval of Minutes

The minutes of April 3, 2017 were approved as printed.

2. Awards and Presentations

None scheduled.

3. School Reports

Moose Pass School principal, Mr. Andy Rothenberger, shared a PowerPoint that highlighted the schools’ demographics, community partners, student projects, extra-curricular activities, parent and volunteer support. He stated that May 20 is Rural School Day to recognize Moose Pass School as the longest serving public school on the Peninsula. He thanked the Board for the opportunity to report and said farewell.

Mr. David Kingsland, principal of Seward Elementary School, shared a video of entitled “A Year at Seward Elementary.” His most memorable experience during his tenure was Seward Elementary earning the National Blue Ribbon School award. He announced that it is his last school report as he is retiring and Mr. Alan Haskins will be his replacement. He expressed appreciation for the school and the opportunity to serve over the years.

Ms. Cathy LeCompte, director of the Seward AVTEC, presented an update on the center, its work and activities.

Dr. Darlene Willis, National Parent Teacher Association representative, thanked Ms. Hohl for inviting her to speak. She discussed the National PTA's work, mission, organizational make-up, purpose, collaboration with parents, and current projects.

At 6:59 p.m. Mr. Arness recessed the meeting.

At 7:06 p.m. the Board reconvened.

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

The following individuals spoke against closing the Seward High School pool for two months during the summer: Ms. Susan Willet, Ms. Sarah Spanos, Mr. Connor Spanos, Mrs. Mica VanBuskirk, Ms. Linda Corbin, Mr. Jonah Swiderski, Mr. Richard Jacoby, and Ms. Mia Moriarty.

Mr. Drew Tarwater and Ms. Stephanie Shaw, Apple Bus Company, updated the Board on the process of setting up the new student transportation service for the District.

Ms. Jen Howe, kindergarten teacher, discussed the value of the District’s arts integration work.

Ms. Christy Terry thanked Mr. Castimore for his suggested budget cuts at the April board meeting. She asked the Board to reconsider eliminating school board member health insurance coverage.

5. Hearing of Delegations

Ms. Stephanie Cronin, Alaska Teacher of the Year alternate and BP Teacher of Excellence, thanked Mr. Walker and Mr. Kingsland and wished them happy Principal's Day. She thanked everyone who recently contacted state legislators in support of education. She talked about her experiences in becoming a teacher. She shared some tips for teaching and staying motivated to teach at the best level. She discussed the success of several of her former students.

6. Communications and Petitions

Mr. Dusek discussed the Strategic Plan memo in the information packet and asked the Board to send him their feedback by May 19 as there will be a work session and an action item for the plan at the June 5 board meeting. He noted the dates: May 1 Principals’ Day, May 2 Teacher Appreciation Day, May 1-5 Student Nutrition Services Week, May 10 School Nurses’ Day, May 24 last student day, May 25 last teacher day, and June 5 and 6 board meeting days.

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

Mrs. Patty Sirois, K.P.E.S.A. president, expressed appreciation for the work Dr. Ermold and she have recently completed together. She stated that the Matanuska Susitna School District is not planning to outsource student nutrition services. She noted Ms. Penny Duncan's resignation, Seward custodian. She stated that this Friday, May 5, there will be a yearend barbeque in Seward for Mr. Kingsland, the support staff and teachers. She asked that the Board make the KPESA president position a district employee just as the KPEA president. She announced her retirement and stated the KPESA president-elect is Ms. Rachel Sinclair.

Mr. David Brighton, KPEA president, noted the many changes taking place in Seward. He extended the barbeque invitation to Mr. Walker and Mr. Rothenberger. He stated that parents are concerned about the budget. He is advocating the legislators for a status quo budget.

Ms. Mica VanBuskirk, Site Council representative, stated that low pupil teacher ratio is important for Seward schools and any staffing cut is significant. She asked the Board to consider other options besides reducing teachers.

8. Superintendent's Report

Mr. Dusek congratulated this year’s Caring for the Kenai winners. He congratulated Mrs. Cronin, BP Teacher of the Year, and the four other district teachers nominated as BP Teachers of Excellence. He announced that Ms. Jenna Fabian has been selected as the new assistant principal of Mt. View Elementary. He congratulated the Skyview Middle School counselors for earning the national counseling certification award. He thanked Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Pothast for their work to provide the opportunity for some district staff members will participate in a Digital Teacher Initiative Network Conference on June 5-7 in Kenai. He stated that Dr. Michael Johnson, Commissioner of Education, will speak to the Homer Chamber of Commerce on May 9. He discussed the current legislative session and stated that he is working hard to influence the 5% cut recommendation. He discussed the school personalizing learning councils and noted that training will begin this week at some schools. He reported on his attendance to the Alaska Superintendent Association’s (ASA) Legislative Fly-In on April 8-11 in Juneau, the April 20 Alaska Education Challenge Committee meeting and the April 21 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) update meeting (both in Anchorage), and the April 23 Alaska Student Activities Association (ASAA) board meeting in Homer. He also attended the BP Teachers of Excellence and Masonic Outstanding Students awards ceremonies. He encouraged board members to attend upcoming student awards ceremonies and staff retirement celebrations. He will attend the national superintendent association (AASA) conference in Nashville, TN on May 5-7 and some personalized learning meetings the following week. On May 19 the Seward Chamber of Commerce will host the executive director of the state chamber of commerce. He encouraged people to attend because for the past three years, the state chamber has recommended education funding cuts. He will attend graduation ceremonies the week of May 20-25. He congratulated his son, Brian Dusek, on his impending graduation. He announced that a large group of state superintendents and district administrators will be in Seward on September 20-23, 2017 as it is the site of the ASA annual fall conference.

9. Reports

A. Finance Report

Mr. Jones presented the financial report of the District for the period ending March 30, 2017.

B. Board Reports

Mrs. Vadla reported on her attendance to the Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) Spring Legislative Fly-in and her service on the June B. Nelson scholarship committee in Juneau. She reported on the Board Governance Handbook Committee meetings of April 7 and 24. She attended the student art exhibit at the Kenai Fine Arts Guild. She also attended the Board Information Committee meeting on April 13, the governor’s Alaska Education Challenge meeting on April 20, the BP Teachers of Excellence awards on April 27 and (via Skype) the English Language Arts Curriculum meeting on April 28.

Mr. Anderson reported on his attendance to the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Annual Conference on March 25-27, 2017 in Denver, CO.

Mr. Illg attended the April 4 Homer High School site council meeting. On April 5 he testified on Senate Bill 96 at the Homer Legislative Information Office (LIO). He attended the April 6 Key Communicators meeting at Homer Middle School.

Mr. Kelly reported on his attendance to the AASB Spring Legislative Fly-in. He attended the April 6 Key Communicators meeting and the April 7 First Friday Art Exhibit at Paul Banks Elementary School.

Ms. Hohl attended the Board Governance Handbook Committee meetings on April 7 and 24 and the April 13 Career and Technical Education Advisory meeting.

C. Committee Reports

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

D. Board Work Session Report

Mr. Arness reported that the board held work sessions entitled: Board Policy, Governance Handbook, Student Nutrition Services, Career and Technical Education Update, KPSAA Handbook, Six Year Plan, and Legislative and FY18 Budget Update.

10. Consent Agenda

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-G

Motion by Tim Navarre, second by Lynn Hohl.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Marty Anderson, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness, Advisory Vote, Brian Dusek: Yes

B. 2016-17 Long-Term Substitute Teacher Contract(s)

C. Resignation(s)

D. 2017-18 New Teacher Contract(s)

E. 2017-18 New Administrator Contract(s)

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

G. Leave of Absence Extension Request/Support

11. Action Items

12. First Reading of Policy Revisions

13. Public Presentations/Comments

None were offered.

14. Board Comments

Mrs. Vadla thanked Seward for their hospitality. She thanked Brian Dusek and expressed appreciation for his two years of service as the student representative to the Board. She left the meeting at 8:23 p.m.

Mr. Anderson thanked Mr. Dusek for his service to the Board. He discussed his fifteen years as a board member, the commitment and work required, and stated that the Board is very frugal and not extravagant; Board members take very little from the District and give a lot in return.

Ms. Hohl attended the April Borough Assembly meeting in Seward. She attended the Seward production of “You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.” She also attended the Alaska PTA Convention and helped present awards for the State Reflections Program. She noted the Seward staff resignations. She stated that pool closures should be consistent throughout the District. She thanked Dr. Willis for coming to Seward and for speaking. She thanked Brian Dusek and expressed appreciation for his two years of service.

Mr. Illg thanked Seward for their hospitality. He thanked Seward Middle School for dinner and expressed appreciation the student music performance. He thanked Dr. Willis for presenting. He wished Mr. Dusek good luck and success. He stated that recreation and education are both important, both cost money and, without a sustainable funding plan, possible pool closure will be one of many difficult topics to discuss. He encouraged the public to talk to the Borough Assembly and state legislators about education funding.

Mr. Kelly expressed appreciation for Dr. Willis’ presentation and the PTA. He is pleased with the community engagement in the pool and pupil teacher ratio (PTR) conversations. He stressed the importance of contacting state legislators now instead of after the budget is passed. He expressed appreciation for Brian Dusek and thanked him for his service.

Mr. Castimore expressed dissatisfaction over the number of individuals that will come to a board meeting to discuss pool closures versus the number that come to discuss cuts to the PTR. He thanked Brian Dusek for his service to the Board.

Mr. Navarre thanked Mr. Walker and Seward for the hospitality. He thanked Mr. and Mrs. Dusek for raising Brian right, along with the teachers and schools that contributed to his education. He thanked Brian Dusek for his service to the Board for the past two years and offered him a letter of reference.

Mr. Brian Dusek thanked Seward for the hospitality. He thanked the evening’s speakers. He congratulated Mrs. Cronin on her awards. He thanked the Board members for their kind comments. He is very excited to be graduating soon and thanked his schools and teachers.

Mr. Arness thanked Seward for the hospitality. He presented Brian Dusek with a gift from the Board. He wished the Seward administrators a happy Principals’ Day. He expressed appreciation for Mr. Dusek’s abilities and wished him well.

15. Executive Session

No Executive Session was needed.

16. Adjourn

At 8:37 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