APPROVED11-1-2021

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Board of Education Meeting Minutes Monday, October 4, 2021

Generated by Lisa Gabriel on Wednesday, October 6, 2021

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

Mr. Kelly called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

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

C. District Mission Statement

Mr. Illg read the District’s mission statement.

D. Roll Call
Members present
Debbie Cary, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Greg Madden(Via Zoom), Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Patti Truesdell, Virginia Morgan

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented

F. Approval of Minutes 9-13-2021 Special Meeting

The minutes from the 9-13-2021 special meeting were approved as printed.

G. Approval of Minutes 9-13-2021

The minutes from the 9-13-2021 meeting were approved as printed.

2. Awards and Presentations

A. None

3. School Reports

A. Mr. Austin Stevenson, Soldotna Elementary

Mr. Austin Stevenson shared a video presentation about Soldotna Elementary.

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

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

Ms. Tamra Wear spoke regarding libraries.
Ms. Natalie Kant gave a shout-out to the board and the District leadership team for their support.
Ms. Winter Marshall-Allen spoke about being great to be back in person.
Mr. Paul Marks spoke regarding his gamification research.
Ms. April Orth spoke regarding her experience with Covid-19.
Ms. Ingrid Harrald spoke regarding mental health.
Ms. Danielle Fidai spoke regarding masks.
Ms. Rachel Barton appreciated Mr. Illg.
Ms. Suzanne Guzman spoke regarding her grandkids and the Covid mitigation.
Ms. Caylene Gladden spoke regarding masking.

5. Hearing of Delegations

None

6. Communications and Petitions

A. Mr. Holland

Mr. Holland appreciated Ms. Harrold and her advocacy for students. He appreciated Ms. Kant and her testimony. He expressed his appreciation for the staff at Soldotna Elementary. He congratulated Soldotna Montessori for their Blue Ribbon School Award. They are the eleventh KPBSD school to be recognized. Last week he visited with Sean Parnell and Cheryl Siemers regarding Middle College programs. He discussed the use of dorms for possible future tenants. He noted that Caring for the Kenai has created a permanent endowment. They are holding a training on October 15th with teachers. Project Grad is a partner of KPBSD. They provide Quality Supplemental education services for all grades. They have received a 1.89 million dollar grant for the course of the next three years. He noted that the Covid leave MOA will go before the board tonight for approval. It is an action item that will provide leave for staff. The Strategic Plan core stakeholders will meet Oct. 20 with the Hanover group. They will eventually be reaching out to all stakeholders. The Borough funded through the American Rescue Plan an additional 2 million funding. The Rotary health fair is in Homer on October 16 and will be on November 5 for Central Peninsula staff.

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. Nathan Erfurth, KPEA president, spoke in favor of the ability to educate. He stated that we have double the case rates of any state. There is exhaustion for medical communities. He spoke with medical professionals. Seward conducted a walk-in to support masking. Let's Educate every child, every day. He discussed low morale among staff. He visited Razdolna, Vozensenka and Kachemak-Selo and discussed the roads. He supports a bond issue for those schools. He visited Montessori to celebrate their Blue Ribbon School award. He appreciated Mr. Illg and Dr. Madden for their service.

Ms. Susanna LaRock, KPESA president, appreciated Ms. Kant, Ms. Harrald, Ms. Wear and Ms. Marshall-Allen. She noted that they are caring about what students and staff need. She brought to everyone's attention that there are 53 support staff positions available in the District, 13 nursing positions open in the district and many teacher positions open in the district. Nurses are covering more schools than assigned. We have an all-hands-on-deck situation at this time.

8. Superintendent's Report

A. Mr. Holland

Mr. Holland noted that we held an Administrator meeting at KCHS in person. The first Districtwide Budget Development meeting will be held at Soldotna High School Library October 7. That meeting will be zoom. Homer will host one on October 19 at 6pm and Seward October 20. He highlighted the $10,000 grant for the Soldotna High School welding program from Kenai Air Gas. He congratulated all athletic teams and coaches across the district. Many teams are going to state tournaments. He appreciated Mr. Illg and Dr. Madden for their service on the board.

9. Reports

A. Finance Report

None presented for the October meeting.

B. Board Reports

Ms. Cary attended the Site Council meeting in Ninilchik. She has been attending the KPB meetings by Zoom.

Ms. Truesdell attended the Site Council meetings for Aurora Borealis, Skyview and Kaleidoscope. She spent an hour on Project GRAD in Homer. She met with the District Librarian Ms. Burns.

Ms. Vadla on Sept 28 attended the AASB Board of Directors Sustainability Committee to work on goals. Sept 18 and 19 she attended the AASB Fall Boardmanship Academy.

Mr. Tauriainen met with Principals Jenna Fabian and Shane Bostic. He attended the District 29 Republican Party meeting.

C. Committee Reports

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

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

D. Board Work Session Report

Mr. Kelly reported that the board held work sessions entitled: AASB Resolutions, Health Care Update, Curriculum Revision Update, Facilities Update, State and Federal Legislative Priorities, Mitigation Plan Update, Special Meeting-Bargaining.

10. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Consent Agenda

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

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-E

Motion by Matt Morse, second by Jason Tauriainen.