APPROVED 3-1-2021

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Board of Education Meeting Minutes Monday, February 1, 2021

Generated by Lisa Gabriel on Friday, February 5, 2021

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. Truesdell read the District’s mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Members present
Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan, Tegan Retzer, student representative

Members absent

Greg Madden

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.

F. Approval of Minutes January 11, 2021

The minutes from the January 11, 2021 meeting were approved as printed.

2. Awards and Presentations

3. School Reports

A. Nanwalek Elementary/High School, Mr. Michael Crain

B. Connections School, Mr. Rich Bartolowits

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

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

Public Comment:
Corbin Arno
Rhonda Baisden

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 discussed a letter from Mayor Pierce regarding KPBSD and KPB in several important matters.
KPBSD and KPB will meet on Feb 2, in a joint budget work session. Starting today, all 7-12th grade students returned to full time in person learning. Many families are still choosing remote options for their students. Connections home school has grown with many news students. He recognized that February is Black History month, School Board Appreciation month and also Love of Reading month. We have the Annual Battle of the Books competition coming up. This week is National School Counselors week. We will have a district wide administrator's meeting. February also includes early release days.

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, appreciated the board members for serving on the school board and noted that it is School Board appreciation month. He appreciates their work and difficult decisions that they make. He was frustrated with the timeline for the meet and greet and the survey time to submit. He mentioned collaboration in the bargaining process. He spoke briefly about the budgets and potential cuts. He will be advocating in favor of the bond.
Ms. Anne McCabe, KPESA president, appreciated the board for the countless hours they put in on behalf of the community. She congratulated Mr. Holland and noted that the boards choice was outstanding. She looks forward to having him at the helm. The support council met last week. They discussed money, budgets and priorities. Continuing the employment of current staff was at the top. Filling support staff is difficult. Beyond that, they need adequate leave for COVID exposures. They are on the cusp of taking sick leave from everyone again. They do not have enough subs. Third thing, make sure custodians have all the supplies that they need.
Mr. Bill Elam, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, he appreciated the newly hired superintendent, Mr. Holland. He wished Mr. O'Brien well on his new journey. He sat in on some committee meetings today. He noted that there are a lot of needs around the borough. Tomorrow will be a busy day with committees, work sessions, agricultural items, local sustainability. Finance and Budgets are the topics of discussion.

8. Superintendent's Report

A. Mr. O'Brien

Mr. O’Brien celebrated Tegan Retzer, our student board of education member. She has done many extra meeting, superintendent search, meet the candidates and interview and deliberations. He noted that the Senate has organized, and that the House is still deadlocked. He congratulated Senator Peter Micciche as Senate president and a member of the education committee. Administration continues to work on plans to fill administrative positions. He expressed his confidence in Mr. Holland.

9. Reports

A. December Finance Reports 2021-2-1

Mr. Jones presented the finance report through 2021-2-1.

B. Second Quarter Budget Transfer Report 2021-2-1

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

C. Board Reports

Ms. Morgan
Mrs. Vadla attended the Jan 12 SSOC meeting. Jan 19 AASB sustainability meeting virtual. Jan 20 SSOC to finalize process. Jan 21 SSOC meeting with Mr. Lowder.
Ms. Truesdell Kaleidoscope Site council.
Mr. Tauriainen attended the SSOC meetings, Nikiski North Star Jan 25 Site Council.
Ms. Retzer met with a group of student leaders regarding plans for upcoming semester.
Ms. Cary attended the Jan 12 IBB, Jan 13, 14, SSOC Jan 20, 21, 26.
Ms. Morgan Jan 14 Seward Site Councils, all SSOC meetings, Jan 28 Cooper Landing Site Council
Mr. Morse Site council KCHS Jan 19, School Visits week of 18th All SSOC meetings
Mr. Kelly attended all SSOC meetings, Superintendent interviews and Community Meet and Greet.

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. Morse reported that the Finance Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.
Ms. Vadla reported that the Superintendent Search Oversight Committee met on January to discuss the Superintendent Search.

E. Board Work Session Report

Mr. Kelly reported that the board held work sessions entitled: Board Policy Review,
Superintendent Search Update
2020-2021 Pandemic Update
District Organizational Chart and Administrative Vacancies
Board Discussion
He 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-J

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-I

Motion by Patti Truesdell, second by Penny Vadla.