APPROVED 11-06-2023

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna AK 99669

Board of Education Special Meeting (Monday, October 23, 2023)

Generated by Nikkol Sipes on Tuesday, October 24, 2023

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

Mr. Kelly called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m.

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

C. District Mission Statement

Ms. Vadla read the District Mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Members Present: Ms. Kelley Cizek, Mr. Tim Daugharty, Ms. Dianne MacRae, Ms. Virginia Morgan, Mr. Matt Morse, Mr. Jason Tauriainen, Ms. Patti Truesdell, Mrs. Penny Vadla, Mr. Zen Kelly

Members Absent: Miss Maggie Grenier, Student Representative

Charter School Oversight Committee Members Present: Kari Dendurent, Kyle Darbonne, John DeVolld, Cody McCanna, Dawn Grimm

E. Approval of Agenda 10-23-2023

Move to approve the October 23, 2023 Special Meeting agenda as presented.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Tim Daugharty, Zen Kelly, Virginia Morgan, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Kelley Cizek, Dianne MacRae

The agenda was approved as presented.

2. Discussion: Nikolaevsk Charter School Application

The applicants spoke to alterations made to the application since the work session held on October 16, 2023. Topics covered in the presentation were the mission of the Charter School, intent to enroll, curriculum, including the International Baccalaureate Program, daily schedules, Montessori, Alaska Reads Act, Rodnik Russian Immersion program, budget, facility usage, transportation and the Nikolaevsk community. The applicants also had students, that are in a current coop in Nikolaevsk, to speak and introduce themselves.

Mr. Kelly called a brief recess at 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Kelly reconvened the meeting at 11:02 a.m.

Mr. Kelly called for Board questions and comments, starting with Curriculum and Educational Philosophy. Ms. Vadla posed questions and challenges regarding combining Montessori and a Russian Immersion program with the International Baccalaureate (IB). Ms. Kerrone spoke to this. Ms. Vadla posed questions and challenges regarding staff training and professional development with the International Baccalaureate program. Ms. Kerrone spoke to this aspect and potential applicant prospects. Mr. Kelly requested Mr. Devolld, principal from Soldotna Montessori school, to speak to Montessori certified staffing. Mr. Devolld spoke to becoming and acquiring Montessori certifications. Mr. Kelly posed a question regarding how many staff members the applicants intend to have certified from Montessori. Ms. Caffroy spoke to this, and that the applicants do not have a specific number planned. Mr. Kelly posed another question regarding the timeline of being Montessori certified, starting day one verses having intentions to become Montessori certified. Mr. Devolld spoke to this timeline and spoke to the challenge in hiring certified Montessori staff. Mr. Tauriainen posed a question regarding reasons for the IB program. Ms. Kerrone spoke to this. Mr. Tauriainen posed a question regarding Montessori. Ms. Kerrone spoke to this. Mr. Tauriainen posed a question for clarification regarding the Rodnik Russian program and it's history. Ms. Caffroy and Ms. Kerrone spoke to this, including communication with schools utilizing Russian Immersion programs in Anchorage and in relation to the Alaska Reads Act. Mr. Tauriainen posed a question regarding the daily schedule and how they are incorporating recess. Ms. Kerrone spoke to the International Baccalaureate Program and Montessori incorporation. Mr. Tauriainen posed a question regarding the intent to enroll that has been listed. The applicants spoke to this. Mr. Tauriainen posed a question regarding alternative options. Ms. Caffroy spoke to graduates of the Nikolaevsk community. An AVTEC student in the Nikolaevsk area spoke to classes he is currently taking. Ms. Truesdell posed a question regarding the AVTEC program. Ms. Kerrone spoke to this. Ms. Morgan posed a question regarding the application on the educational program and student achievement section as well as, formatting. Ms. Kerrone and Ms. Caffroy spoke to where this can be found in the application. Mr. Daugharty posed a question regarding the administrator, staffing and implementing the curriculum. Ms. Kerrone spoke to this and that these details would not be in place until the Charter School is open. Ms. Caffroy spoke to the timeline of the Charter School application and resources that have been used. Ms. Vadla requested the charter school principals in attendance speak to the development of their charters. Mr. McCanna spoke to the renewal of ABC charter, as well as, the initial charter school application model and philosophy. Ms. Grimm spoke to the history of the Kaleidoscope charter, and how the APC specifically designed curriculum, and that the District did not give assistance to the creation of the specifics. Mr. Devolld spoke to the history of Soldotna Montessori's charter process and philosophy. He included that Soldotna Montessori APC does not necessarily seek input from the District in development of the charter. Mr. Darbonne spoke to the charter for Fireweed. Ms. Morgan posed a question regarding special education staffing and budgeting. Mr. Holland spoke to special education services within the charter school application as well as title I funding. He also spoke in regards to intensive needs funding. Ms. Caffroy spoke to title I funding as she understands it. Mr. Kelly noted the allocation for special education students and how it relates to the budget. Mr. McCanna spoke to Charter school funding in relation to special education students. Ms. Grimm spoke to special education staffing. She also spoke to title I schools and funding qualifications. Mr. Devolld spoke in regards to the allocation of special education services and staffing at Soldotna Montessori. Mr. Darbonne spoke to special education student services at Fireweed charter school and staffing in relation to the school's budget. Ms. Caffroy read state statute in regards to school funding. Mr. Kelly spoke to clarifications regarding the funding formula, school budget and Charter School funding as well as, how it relates to the proposed budget within the Nikolaevsk charter school application. Ms. Morgan posed clarifying questions in regard to the budget proposal within the Nikolaevsk charter application. She also posed a clarification in regards to state funding of the existing Nikolaevsk school if there are no longer students attending that school. Mr. Kelly spoke to this including enrollment and state funding. Ms. Caffroy posed a clarifying question regarding facility usage and state statutes in relation to charter schools. Mr. Tauriainen posed a question regarding Charter School facility funding versus other district schools. Mr. McCanna spoke to Charter School facilities within the District. Mr. Tauriainen posed another question regarding if a Charter School is the only school within the community. Ms. Kerrone spoke to her understanding of state statute in this regard. Mr. Holland spoke to capital projects. Mr. Kelly spoke to Nikolaevsk school projected enrollment and funding. Ms. Vadla posed a question regarding the daily schedule and the hours being proposed in the application. She also posed a question in regards to the school calendar and whether this provided sufficient enough days to be in compliance. Ms. Kerrone spoke to this. Mr. Tauriainen posed clarifying questions in regards to subsistence schedules. Ms. Caffroy spoke to this. Ms. Cizek posed a question to the Charter School Principals in attendance in regards to the budget and enrollment. Mr. McCanna spoke to this, including projected enrollment and funding. Ms. Grimm spoke to this, including enrollment, and funding. Mr. Devolld spoke to this as well. Ms. Morgan posed clarifying questions regarding transportation requirements to schools. Mr. Lyon spoke to transportation to schools. Ms. Grimm spoke to transportation of students to Kaleidoscope. Mr. McCanna spoke to options charter schools have in regards to transportation and that ABC does not provide bussing to the school. Mr. Devolld spoke to transportation for Soldotna Montessori. Mr. Darbonne spoke to transportation to Fireweed. Mr. Kelly posed a question regarding the responsibility of budget costs for transportation when a Charter School decides to provide it. Mr. Lyon spoke to the transportation costs if the Charter School decides to provide it and that it would be the responsibility of the Charter School to pay for the cost.
Ms. Caffroy spoke to transportation options in the area. Ms. Grimm spoke to transportation and logistics of sharing transportation with other schools. Mr. Lyon spoke to transportation and safety protocols and some challenges within the Nikolaevsk area in particular. Ms. Caffroy spoke to working with the District and sharing transportation options. Ms. Morgan posed a clarifying question regarding contract negotiations and MOA within the application. Ms. Caffroy spoke to this and requirements of the DEED application. Mr. Holland spoke to leases and agreements. Mr. Kelly posed a question of who wrote the MOA within the application. Ms. Caffroy spoke to this and provided that she wrote the MOA within the application. Mr. Kelly spoke to the stipulations in the draft MOA within the application. He posed questions in regards to the proposed budget within the application as well as, posed a questions in regards to the staffing allocation. Ms. Kerrone spoke to this. Mr. Kelly requested the applicants speak to page 54 and the costs associated with the proposed budget. Ms. Caffroy spoke to these costs. Mr. Kelly posed clarifying questions regarding the costs of the International Baccalaureate program training. Ms. Caffroy and Ms. Kerrone spoke to this. Ms. MacRae posed a question in regards to the timeline of the application. Ms. Caffroy spoke to this request. Mr. Holland spoke to the KPBSD Board Policy regarding Charter School applications and the application submitted the previous year. Mr. Holland also spoke to the application documents that have been received this year. Mr. Tauriainen posed a clarifying question in regards to the application timeline. Mr. Holland spoke to this. Ms. Vadla spoke to some of the areas that she would like to see more information provided within the application. Mr. Morse spoke to the application process and working together. Ms. Truesdell agreed with Mr. Morse and would like to see this succeed. Ms. Grimm spoke to the fact that the application is a work in progress and not a final product which is typically presented to the Board for approval within this process. Mr. McCanna spoke to his experience with the application timelines and process within the District and state level. Ms. Caffroy spoke to further in regards to the application timeline and process. Mr. McCanna spoke to this as well.

Mr. Kelly called a brief recess at 1:16 p.m.
Mr. Kelly reconvened the meeting at 1:49 p.m.

Mr. Kelly provided clarifications to the application timeline.
The applicants made final comments on the application ahead of the Board taking action on the application.

3. Action Items

A. Nikolaevsk Charter School Application *REVISED

Mr. Kelly called for public comment on the action item. There was none.

It was moved by Ms. Truesdell to approve the Nikolaevsk Charter School Application. Mr. Morse seconded.

Move to approve the Nikolaevsk Charter School Application.

Motion by Patti Truesdell, second by Matt Morse.

The Board held debate on the question.

Mr. Morse provided comment on the application in support.
Ms. Cizek provided comment on the application in support.
Ms. Truesdell provided comment on behalf of the charter school committee regarding recommendation on the application. The committee did not recommend approval of the application at this time.
Ms. MacRae provided comment on the application in support.
Mr. Daugharty provided comment on the application in opposition of the charter at this time.
Ms. Morgan provided comment on the application in opposition of the charter at this time.
Ms. Vadla provided comment on the application in opposition of the charter at this time.
Mr. Tauriainen posed a question regarding the MOA and the budget within the application.
Mr. Holland spoke to the MOA and the budget within the application and some of administrations concerns.

Mr. Tauriainen spoke to his concerns regarding approving an application where administration and the applicants had not come to an agreement, yet the MOA was provided within the application.
Mr. Kelly provided procedure on the application timeline and next steps regarding amendments to the motion.

Mr. McCanna was requested to speak regarding the previous ABC high school charter application and the process.
Mr. Kelly provided further information regarding next steps in the application process and read state statute.

Ms. Morgan spoke to remanding and the process.
Mr. Kelly provided comment on the application in opposition of the charter at this time.

Ms. Cizek posed a question regarding negotiations and the MOA in the application.
Mr. Kelly read DEED's application directions.

Mr. Kelly requested input from the Charter School Principals regarding MOAs within an application.
Mr. McCanna provided some information regarding MOAs and that the administration typically is in agreement with the charter on budget and facility usage moving an application forward.

Mr. Holland spoke to the proposed MOA within the application.
Ms. Grimm posed questions regarding the utility costs.
The applicants spoke to these details including the budget as well as minor formatting errors and unanswered questions on the application.
Mr. Kelly provided clarification on the proposed rental details within the application.
Mr. Morse provided comment on amending the motion for the application to exclude the MOA as administration and the applicants have not yet come to an agreement in this regard.
Ms. Vadla provided comment in opposition of moving the application forward as she has other areas of concern within the application besides the MOA.
Mr. Kelly provided further clarification on the timeline if the board denies the approval of the application.
Mr. Morse posed a question in regards to the timeline of the application.

Mr. Kelly spoke to this.

Mr. Morse posed a question in regards to making an amendment to the motion.

Mr. Kelly spoke to this.

Ms. Truesdell moved to amend the motion to approve the Nikolaevsk Charter School Application with the conditions to successfully negotiate the MOA contained within the application. Seconded by Mr. Morse.

Clarifications were made in regards to this amendment to the motion including the timeline and the expectations of a successful negotiation.
Mr. Tauriainen posed further questions in regards to the MOA moving forward with the decision of the board.
Mr. McCanna provided information regarding MOAs for charter schools.

Mr. Tauriainen requested information on building use agreements within the application.

Mr. Holland spoke to this.
Mr. Kelly commented further on the MOA within the application and areas that require negotiations.
Ms. Vadla provided comment in opposition of the amendment.

Move to amend the motion to approve the Nikolaevsk Charter School Application with the following conditions to successfully negotiate the MOA contained within the application.

Motion by Patti Truesdell, second by Matt Morse.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Tim Daugharty, Zen Kelly, Virginia Morgan, Matt Morse, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Kelley Cizek, Dianne MacRae

No: Penny Vadla

The Board held further debate on the original motion as amended.
Mr. Tauriainen posed a question regarding the proposed budget within the application and the title I funding.

Mr. Kelly spoke to this.
Ms. Cizek posed a question regarding the formatting of the application.
Mr. Kelly spoke to this.
Ms. Cizek posed a question regarding the proposed Charter school budget.
Mr. Holland, Mr. Kelly and Mr. Tauriainen spoke to this.
Mr. Daugharty provided comment on the application in opposition of moving forward with the charter as it stands.
Mr. Morse posed a question regarding the ability to edit the application moving forward.
Ms. Grimm spoke to this and that applicants do not have the ability to make edits once submitted to the state.
Ms. Vadla commented on the application in opposition of moving it forward as it stands.
Mr. Morse posed a question regarding further amendments to the motion on the floor.

Mr. Kelly spoke to this.

Mr. Morse moved to further amend the motion of the approval of the Nikolaevsk Charter School Application with the conditions that allows for the application to be edited with minor formatting, and allows for areas that need improvement. Ms. MacRae seconded.

Ms. Vadla commented on the amendment in opposition.
Ms. Morgan commented on the amendment in opposition.
Ms. Cizek commented on the amendment for clarification and support of the amendment.

Mr. Kelly provided comment.

Mr. Morse withdrew his amendment.

Mr. Kelly announced Mr. Morse withdrew this amendment.
Mr. Kelly called a brief recess.
Mr. Kelly reconvened the meeting at 3:47 p.m.

Mr. Morse moved to further amend the motion to the approve the Nikolaevsk Charter School Application with the condition the text SPED/MTSS support ($110,345.21) Funded through Title I Funds is removed from appendix H in the application. Seconded by Ms. MacRae.

Move to amend the approval of the Nikolaevsk Charter School Application with the condition the text SPED/MTSS support ($110,345.21) Funded through Title I Funds is removed from appendix H in the application.

Motion by Matt Morse, second by Dianne MacRae.

Motion Carried

Yes: Zen Kelly, Virginia Morgan, Matt Morse, Patti Truesdell, Kelley Cizek, Dianne MacRae

No: Tim Daugharty, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla

The original motion is on the floor as amended.

Move to approve the Nikolaevsk Charter School Application as amended.

Motion by Patti Truesdell, second by Matt Morse.

Motion Failed

Yes: Matt Morse, Patti Truesdell, Kelley Cizek, Dianne MacRae

No: Tim Daugharty, Zen Kelly, Virginia Morgan, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla

4. Adjourn

Mr. Kelly adjourned the meeting at 3:56 p.m.