APPROVED 4-5-2021

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Board of Education Meeting Minutes of Monday, March 1, 2021

Generated by Lisa Gabriel on Thursday, March 4, 2021

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

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

Miss Ashlyn Potton sang the National Anthem.

C. District Mission Statement

Ms. Morgan read the District’s mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Members present
Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden(Via Polycom), Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan, Tegan Retzer, student representative

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.

F. Approval of Minutes January 21, 2021 Special Meeting

The minutes of the January 21, 2021 Special meeting were approved as printed.

G. Approval of Minutes January 26, 2021 Special Meeting

The minutes of the January 26, 2021 Special meeting were approved as printed.

H. Approval of Minutes February 1, 2021 Special Meeting

The minutes of the February 1, 2021 Special meeting were approved as printed.

I. Approval of Minutes February 1, 2021

The minutes of the February 1, 2021 meeting were approved as printed.

2. Awards and Presentations

None

3. School Reports

A. Kenai Central High School, Mr. Will Chervenak

Mr. Chervenak presented the School Report for Kenai Central High School.

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

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

Rhonda Baisden spoke regarding masks in sports.

Julianne Tulmich spoke regarding masks in school.

5. Hearing of Delegations

A. Mr. Tim Dillon, Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District

Mr. Tim Dillon from the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District presented.

6. Communications and Petitions

A. Mr. O'Brien

Mr. O’Brien noted and discussed the following general information packet items:
He congratulated Mr. Kevin Lyons for being appointed to the State of Alaska's Bond Debt Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee by Education Commissioner Michael Johnson for a four-year term, ending February 28, 2025.
Billy Strickland the Executive Director of ASAA sent a communication to all school superintendents recently informing districts of a recent decision by the ASAA Board of Directors. All student athletes participating in ASAA sanctioned state indoor events will be required to wear masks at all times, including when competing. Masking requirements will most likely remain in place through the rest of the year. They will revisit recess and outdoor activity after spring break.
On March 2, the Board will hold a work session and a KPBSD Board of Education and Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly joint budget work session.
Next week is spring break. March 15th, 4th quarter starts. March 17th is the next early release.

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. He noted the town hall hosted by KPEA and KPESA. He was happy to see the vaccine clinic. He appreciated Iris Wertz for her service to the school district. He expressed his concern for possible cuts. He shared a concern about the summer school program. How to catch the gaps. He encouraged the board to use ESSER II funds for summer school. Smaller class sizes are important.
Ms. Anne McCabe, KPESA president, invited everyone to an online town hall hosted by KPEA and KPESA. It will be addressing the fiscal crisis and it's effect on public education. It is online, through KPEA or KPESA Facebook page. She gave a shout out for the volunteers at the shot clinic this past week. She is hopeful that this will help hold down numbers. She appreciated Iris Wertz.
Mr. Bill Elam, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, is looking forward to the work session. He noted that it is encouraging to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel in COVID. There are a lot of vaccine roll outs. One of the biggest thing he sees is the big divide in communities and encourages a bit of grace. He encouraged working together for the community and do what is best all around.

8. Superintendent's Report

A. Mr. O'Brien

Mr. O’Brien reported congratulated Linnaea Gossard, Sr. at Cooper Landing School, is the 2021 Alaska Society for Technology in Education Student of the Year. Seward Battle of the Books team won the state competition. Tegan Retzer received the National Horartio Alger Scholarship worth $25,000. She will attend Boston University and will be majoring in Economics. Soldotna Montessori School has made it to the final selection of Blue Ribbon Award. District leadership continues to meet with the Legislative Delegation. He met with Representative Louise Stutes. He appreciated Representative Stutes and Senator Micciche. The District held its first two vaccination clinics last weekend. Part II and second doses will be held on March 19th. He appreciated Nursing Coordinator, Ms. Iris Wertz for her organization. Ms. Kari Dendurent has been chosen as the next Assistant Superintendent of the KPBSD.

9. Reports

A. January Finance Reports 2021-2-18

Mr. Jones presented the finance report through January 2021.

B. Board Reports

Miss Retzer, attended the Feb 6 & 7 AASB Youth Advocacy Institute
Mr. Tauriainen attended Feb 23, met with NNS principal, Attended Nikiski Site Council, 26th was a judge at the NNS Spelling Bee.
Mrs. Vadla on Feb 6 & 7 attended the AASB Legislative Fly-in. Feb 8th a joint legislative meeting with legislators. Feb 9th SSOC meeting, Feb 10th Title VI advisory meeting. Feb 16th attended AASB Sustainability meeting.
Mr. Illg on Feb 8th attended a joint legislative meeting with legislators, Feb 18th attended parent teacher conferences, Feb 25th attended the KPSAA meeting.
Dr. Madden talked to stakeholders.
Ms. Truesdell attended KBeach Elementary and Soldotna Montessori site council meetings.
Ms. Morgan attended the Joint Work session, February 4th the Alaska School Boards, February 9th SSOC meeting, Feb 11th Seward Site council meeting, Feb 15th the Moose Pass Site Council Meeting, Alternative School meeting, Feb 25th Vocational School meeting.
Mr. Morse attended the Joint Work Session, IBB on Feb 4th, Feb 11th and 25th. Site council for Kaleidoscope School.
Ms. Cary, attended IBB on Feb 4th, 11th, 25th. SSOC on the 9th, attended zoom with legislators on Feb 8th.
Mr. Kell attended Feb 4th Community Input meeting for Razdolna, Feb 8th AASB zoom with legislators, Feb 9th SSOC. Feb 23rd ASCA Webinar, Feb 28th Pop Up Echo for School Board Members.

C. Committee Reports

Mr. Tauriainen reported that the Board Information Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.
Ms. Cary reported that the Board Policy Review 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.
Mrs. Vadla reported on the Superintendent Search Oversight Committee meeting on February 9, 2021.

D. Board Work Session Report

Mr. Kelly discussed the following work sessions entitled Board Policy Review, Assessment Report,2020-2021 Pandemic Update and FY 22 Budget.

10. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Consent Agenda

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