APPROVED 12-7-2020

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Minutes Board of Education Meeting Monday, November 2, 2020

Generated by Lisa Gabriel on Friday, November 6, 2020

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

6:01 p.m.

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

C. District Mission Statement

Ms. Morgan read the District’s mission statement.

D. Roll Call

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

Mike Illg (Via Polycom), Greg Madden (Via Polycom), Tegan Retzer, Student Representative

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.

F. Oath of Office

Mrs. Lisa Gabriel, notary public, administered the Oath of Office to newly elected School Board members Mrs. Penny Vadla, Ms. Debbie Cary, Ms. Virginia Morgan and Mr. Jason Tauriainen.

G. Reorganization of the Board

Mr. Illg nominated Mr. Kelly for president.,
Nominations for president were closed. With no other nominations, Mr. Kelly was elected president.
Mrs. Vadla nominated Debbie Cary for vice president.
Nominations for vice president were closed. With no other nominations, Debbie Cary was elected vice president.
Mr nominated Mr. Tauriainen for clerk. Ms. Cary nominated Mrs. Vadla for Clerk.
Nominations for clerk were closed. A vote was taken, Jason Tauriainen was elected clerk.
Mrs. Vadla nominated Mr. Illg for treasurer.
Nominations for treasurer were closed. With no other nominations, Mr. Illg was elected treasurer.

H. Approval of Minutes Oct. 5, 2020

The minutes from the October 5, 2020, meeting were approved as printed.

2. Awards and Presentations

None

3. School Reports

A. Aurora Borealis-Mr. Cody McCanna

Mr. Cody McCanna presented the school report for Aurora Borealis School.

B. Paul Banks Elementary-Mr. Eric Pederson

Mr. Eric Pederson presented the school report for Paul Banks Elementary.

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

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

Zach Halstead commented on online school.
Harrison DeVeer shared COVID information.
Rhonda Baisden commented regarding extended closure of schools.
Rebecca Miller commented on students in schools and the risks.
David Strong spoke regarding neglected students during the pandemic.
Ronnie Whicker commented on how her students learn best.
Ethan Erfurth suggested following science and return to school when it is appropriate.
Winter Marshall-Allen commented on flex schedules for students.
Everett Strong commented on Vocational Education classes being remote.
Tera Swanson supports a reassessment of the current plan.
Tammy Miller encouraged the board to get kids back into school.
Desi Baker spoke regarding getting kids back into school.
Mandy Patrick showed support for the Smart Start protocol.
Jaunita Kitchens questioned kids playing sports but not being in school.

5. Hearing of Delegations

None

6. Communications and Petitions

A. Mr. O'Brien

Mr. O’Brien noted and discussed the following general information packet items:
He offered clarification of the District Smart Start Plan. The plan was reviewed by the DHSS. He read the suggestions from DHSS team back in July. He gave a recap regarding future changes in the Smart Start plan. He noted the current work on new mitigation plans to bring students back into schools. He noted that they will continue to follow the plan until it is modified. He noted that the KPBSD risk determination is made in conjunction with input from the State of Alaska actual 14-Day positive case counts, seven day trends of positive cases, Public Health and contact tracing, the KPBSD COVID-19 Community Risk Level Medical Advisory Group, Kenai Peninsula Cooperators, and at times, consultation directly with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and the Alaska Department of Education.

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

Mr. David Brighton, KPEA president, He appreciated Ms. McCabe and the Education Support Paraprofessionals. He appreciated the Board of Education and their willingness to support the Smart Start Plan and for serving on the Board of Education. He supports the use of face coverings and sanitation. He reminded everyone to vote tomorrow.

Ms. Anne McCabe, KPESA president, November 18 is NESPD throughout the country. She appreciated Paul Banks Elementary school being named after their custodian. She addressed schools being brought up to capacity. She noted that teachers and support staff are exposed to students for extended periods of time. She shared that sick leave for staff is used when Covid leave is expended. She expressed that she would love to have students back in the classroom. She appreciated the Board of Education and Superintendent O'Brien.

8. Superintendent's Report

A. Mr. O'Brien

Mr. O’Brien congratulated the Fulbright Recipients. Ms. Jen Booz who previously received the Fulbright Scholarship and recently Amanda Adams was notified that she is going to receive a Fulbright Scholarship in the spring. Mr. Clayton Holland is heading up efforts to look at modifying the Smart Start Plan for red/high risk operations periods. Staff & parent surveys will be conducted to determine their comfort levels. Plans will then be presented to the Medical Advisory Group, The AK DHSS, and DEED and then brought as an action item to the full Board of Education for approval. He reminded people to vote.

9. Reports

A. September Finance Reports 2020-11-2

Mr. Jones presented the finance report through September 2020.

B. First Quarter Budget Transfer Report 2020-11-2

Mr. Jones presented the budget transfer report for various schools and departments within the District during the first quarter of FY20.

C. Board Reports

Mr. Illg attended the on Wellness Committee Oct 29

Dr. Madden has been talking to stakeholders.

Mr. Tauriainen was invited to a community meeting to discuss Covid 19 in schools.

Mrs. Vadla attended the Title VI Advisory Meeting on Oct 19, AASB Board of Directors meeting on Oct 30.

Ms. Cary attended the Virtual KPB Assembly Meeting on Oct 13, the Site Based Council meeting at Ninilchik School on Oct 22.

Ms. Morgan Oct 19 Cooper Landing School Site Council, Oct 20 Hope Site Council

Ms. Truesdell Oct 19, Title VI Advisory Meeting. Kaleidoscope Site Based Council meeting. Hope School.

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.
Mr. Kelly reported that the Finance Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.
Executive Session

None

E. Board Work Session Report

Mr. Kelly reported that the board held work sessions entitled: Board Policy, Fall 2020-2021 Pandemic Response, FY21 Budget Calendar and Timeline/CAFR, Superintendent Search Oversight Update

Committee Update.

Ms Cary gave a description of the Policy Review Committee meeting and gave a brief recap of each session. All members present at the meeting, attended the work sessions.

Mr. Tauriainen gave a description of the Information Committee meeting and gave a brief recap of each session. All members present at the meeting, attended the work sessions.

Mr. Kelly gave a description of the Finance Committee meeting and 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 Debbie Cary, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried