APPROVED 10-16-17

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Board of Education Meeting Minutes Monday, September 11, 2017

Generated by Debbie Tressler on Tuesday, September 12, 2017

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order 6:00 p.m.

B. National Anthem/Alaska Flag Song

The Homer High School Swing Choir sang "The National Anthem" and "Alaska's Flag."

C. District Mission Statement

Mr. Holt read the district mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Members Present

Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

Members Absent

Marty Anderson

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.

F. Approval of Minutes

The minutes of August 7, 2017 were approved as printed.

2. Awards and Presentations

The Board presented Mr. Bill Holt with a gift for his retirement from the Board of Education.

3. School Reports

Mr. Douglas Waclawski, Homer High School principal, shared a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted the school's test scores and activities. The swing choir, under the direction of Mr. Kyle Schneider, performed "Three Hungarian Folksongs” by Antonin Dvorak. Student council president, Mr. Avrum Salzmann, discussed the school's graduation requirements, arts program, student life, academics, and activities.

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

Ms. Joy Overson, Mrs. Theresa Engebretsen and Mr. Eric Engebretsen requested that approved out-of-area McNeil Canyon Elementary School students be allowed to ride the morning bus to the school.

Mr. Lukas Schafli discussed the need for an after-school program at West Homer Elementary.

Ms. Darcy Mueller requested the Board provide bus transportation to student after-school activities at West Homer.

5. Hearing of Delegations

Ms. Hannah Gustafson and Ms. Amy Woodruff of Southern Kenai Peninsula Resilience Coalition described their work and programs offered and the importance of resiliency in helping develop positive outcomes in children. Ms. Woodruff offered options for the district to provide training to teachers to increase their awareness of these programs.

K-Bay Community Youth & Activities Coalition representative, Mr. Kurt Leffner, discussed the work and efforts of the Coalition. He discussed the need for after-school activities in the Homer area that are available, sustainable and affordable and explained the Coalition's work to develop those programs. He asked the Board to support existing programs by providing transportation to them and locations other than licensed day cares.

6. Communications and Petitions

Mr. Dusek discussed the general information packet updates on: enrollment at Aurora Borealis Charter School as requested last year by Board; Native education from Mr. Conrad Woodhead, and school roofing projects, adding that there will soon be more information regarding the funds remaining in the bond. He reported that the State accepted the district’s FY18 budget. He stated that the Governor’s Alaska Challenge Committee will be complete soon. He noted the following upcoming dates: September 19 Key Communicator Forum from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; September 22 Walk Your Kids to School (for Soldotna schools, the national day is October 4); September 27 administrator meeting; October 2 National School Custodian Day; October 3 borough elections; October 4 Representative Seaton’s town hall meetings in Ninilchik and Homer; October 16 school board meeting; and October 17 school board quarterly work session.

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

Mr. David Brighton, KPEA president, expressed appreciation for the Southern Kenai Peninsula Resilience Coalition’s presentation at the Association’s Spring conference. He stated he is interested in learning more about Education Elements. He reported that things are going well for him. He hopes the Homer bus issues are soon resolved.

Ms. Rachel Sinclair, K.P.E.S.A. president, thanked the Board for their service. She is looking forward to working with the Board, district and staff.

8. Superintendent's Report

Mr. Dusek thanked Mr. Holt for his service and excellence as a board member and congratulated him on his retirement. He expressed appreciation for Homer High School Swing Choir’s performance. The district-wide student council meeting will be on September 14 at Nikiski High School where, among other business, they will elect a new student representative to the school board. He reported that the student councils will continue their work with the Student Voice program and said he is pleased that students are stepping up as leaders to help the district. He thanked school secretaries for doing a great job during the new bussing transition. He thanked parents for their patience during the transition process. He thanked the district staff for their work on personalized learning and stated that the district has been providing it for years but, it was identified differently. He attended six site council meetings in the past month and plans to continue, hoping to attend one meeting at each school this year. He has completed 13 administrator pre-conferences meeting thus far where individual goals are set. He attended the Kenai-Soldotna joint Chamber of Commerce luncheon on September 6 to listen to the mayoral candidates and will attend the September 13 meeting to listen to the Borough Assembly candidates. Weather permitting, he will visit Port Graham, Nanwalek and Susan B. English schools on September 12. September 14 he will speak at the district-wide Student Council meeting in the morning and attend the Seward site council meeting in the evening. He discussed the Alaska Superintendent Association (ASA) fall conference which will be held in Seward September 20-23. He is scheduled to present a district update to the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce on October 4 and the Homer Rotary on October 5.

9. Reports

A. Board Reports

On the first day of school, Mr. Illg visited Paul Banks Elementary, Fireweed Academy, West Homer Elementary, Homer Middle, Homer Flex and Homer High schools. On September 5, he attended Homer High and West Homer Elementary schools’ site council meetings.

Mrs. Vadla attended the August 17 teacher inservice at Skyview Middle, the August 5 Governance Handbook Committee meeting in Seward, and the August 29 Education Challenge Committee meeting. On her way to today’s meeting, she visited Ninilchik and Chapman schools.

On the first day of school, Mr. Kelly visited Homer High and McNeil Canyon Elementary schools. He attended the August 17 teacher inservice at Paul Banks and the September 5 Homer High School site council meeting.

Mr. Navarre reported that he visits Mt. View Elementary most days as he drops off his student. He attended the Education Challenge Committee meeting and stated that the final meeting will be held on October 4.

Mr. Castimore attended the Mt. View Elementary site council’s first meeting of the year and the Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science back-to-school barbeque.

B. Committee Reports

Mr. Castimore reported that the Board Policy Review Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.
Mr. Navarre reported that the Board Information Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.
Mr. Kelly reported that the Finance Committee met on August 24 and earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.
Mrs. Valda reported that the Governance Handbook Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items. She stated that the Key Communicator Forum will be held on September 19 at the Challenger Learning Center from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

C. Board Work Session Report

Mr. Arness reported that the board held work sessions entitled: Board Policy Review, AASB Resolutions and Legislative Priorities, Budget Process, Strategic Plan Actions, Personalized Learning and Governance Handbook. All members present at the meeting, attended the work sessions.

10. Consent Agenda

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-J.

Motion by Bill Holt, second by Tim Navarre.

Mr. Kelly removed item10G. AR 3550 Student Nutrition Services Charge Policy.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried for B-F and H-J

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

B. Resignation(s)

C. 2017-18 New Teacher Contract(s) REVISED

D. 2017-18 New Administrator Contract(s)

E. 2017-18 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s)

F. Leave of Absence Request/Support

H. Information Committee Charge Revision

I. Finance Committee Charge Revision

J. AASB Board of Directors Nomination

Move to postpone 10G. AR 3550 Student Nutrition Charge Policy

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Lynn Hohl.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

11. Action Items

A. KPBSD Elementary and Middle School Health Lessons (HB 156) Sexual Education and Human Reproduction

Move to approve the Sexual Education and Human Reproduction supplemental materials, presenters, and guest speakers as presented.

Motion by Mike Illg, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Bill Holt, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Penny Vadla, Joe Arness

12. Public Presentations/Comments

Ms. Ginny Espenshade, director of the Kenai Peninsula Youth Court, thanked the Board for their service. She discussed the Youth Court program and thanked the district for their long-term cooperation. She spoke in support of K-Bay Community Youth & Activities Coalition, of which Youth Court is a member, and the importance of student activities. She discussed the Homer syringe exchange program and encouraged the district to provide Narcam for schools.

13. First Reading of Policy Revisions

The Board heard a first reading of BP 3100 Budget.

14. Board Comments

Mr. Illg expressed appreciation for the Homer meeting and the Homer High School presentation and choir performance. He thanked Mr. Kurt Leffner for his presentation and work with the Coalition. He thanked the Southern Kenai Peninsula Resilience Coalition for their work. He thanked Mr. Holt for his board service and support of education and recreation. He thanked the school secretaries, teachers and administrators for their work during the bussing transition.

Ms. Hohl attended the Seward PTA meeting. She attended the 1^st National Swiss Day celebration in Seward. She thanked Mr. Schneider and the choir for their performance. She thanked Ms. Jenny Martin for inviting the Board to Representative Seaton’s town hall meetings. She thanked Cosmic Kitchen for dinner and the Homer culinary arts students for dessert and punch. She thanked the various groups for attending the meeting.

Mr. Kelly thanked the local organizations for their hard work on issues in Homer. He stated that bussing has been a challenge and thanked everyone for their patience and the district for their flexibility. He thanked Mr. Holt for his contributions to the school board.

Mr. Navarre thanked Homer for their hospitality and expressed appreciation for Board travel meetings. He thanked Mr. Holt for his service to the Board and his contribution to students and the entire Borough via his work on the Tsalteshi Trails.

Mrs. Vadla thanked Homer for their hospitality. She thanked the delegations for presenting. She thanked KPEA and KPESA for their work and for attending the board meetings. She thanked Mr. Waclawski for his report. She expressed appreciation for the swing choir and the student council president’s presentations. She appreciated the information provided at the day’s committee meetings and work sessions. She thanked Mr. Pothast for his work session presentation. She thanked Mr. Holt for making a difference, for listening and for his service to the Board and the Kenai Peninsula.

Mr. Holt discussed his time on the Board. He expressed appreciation for the Board’s ability to work together to find ways to move forward for students and education regardless of varying opinions. He thanked the Board, administration and Mrs. Tressler for their help and support. He thanked the district’s teachers, community, and staff. He wished Ms. Debbie Cary well.

Mr. Arness thanked Mr. Holt for his service and greeted Ms. Cary, in the audience. He thanked Homer for their hospitality.

15. Executive Session

No Executive Session was needed.

16. Adjourn

At 7:29 p.m. Mr. Arness adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Mr. Joe Arness, President

Mr. Bill Holt, Clerk

Submitted by Mrs. Debbie Tressler

Administrative Secretary to the Board of Education