UNAPPROVED

Board of Education Information Committee Meeting (Monday, December 4, 2023)

Generated by Nikkol Sipes on Tuesday, December 5, 2023

1. Board Information Committee

A. Call to Order

Ms. Vadla called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.

B. Roll Call

Members Present: Penny Vadla, Tim Daugharty, Matt Morse, Patti Truesdell, Spencer Co, Student Representative
Board Members Present: Mr. Tauriainen, Mr. Kelly, Ms. Cizek, Ms. MacRae

C. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.

D. Approval of Notes 10-02-2023

The October 2, 2023 Information Committee meeting notes were approved as presented.

2. Student Representative Update

A. Student Representative Update

Mr. Spencer Co reported on the following:
Mr. Co provided a report on Christmas events happening at several schools throughout the district for the Holiday season and gave some of the highlights.
He noted that Student Council posed concerns about the negative impacts on theater and arts program and swim staff without predictable funding.
He did pose a question regarding the annual strategic communications plan relating to the Information Committee Charge.
Ms. Dendurent posed a clarification to Mr. Co in this regard.
Ms. Vadla expressed the importance of communication, and posed that the charge be reevaluated for the Information Committee.
Ms. Truesdell appreciated the student outreach and input from Mr. Co.
Ms. Dendurent noted a PSA regarding the BSA to the local media and Mr. Co's support in this regard and student councils' support as well.

3. Information New Business

A. Preparation for Discussion with State Legislators

Ms. Vadla opened up discussion regarding preparation during this committee meeting for the work session with the State Legislators later this afternoon. Mr. Morse proposed revising the Legislative Priorities to exclude defined benefits. Ms. Vadla expressed that she is impressed with the current state of the Legislative Priorities. Ms. Vadla spoke to what she would like to discuss during the work session with the legislators including the BSA, class size, teacher retention and recruitment and health benefits. Mr. Daugharty posed a question regarding the approach of the discussion with the legislators and what kind of topics will be discussed. Ms. Vadla spoke to how she would like to approach this. Mr. Morse spoke to this as well and that he would like to be able to have each Board member a chance to pose questions to the legislators attending. Ms. Vadla spoke to this. Mr. Tauriainen was invited to speak to the Legislative Priorities. He agreed with Mr. Morse regarding the placements of the defined benefits within the Legislative Priorities as well as moving the first bullet point. Ms. Truesdell would like to discuss the teacher recruitment.
Ms. Vadla spoke to this as well as the defined benefits aspect within the Legislative Priorities. Ms. Cizek was invited to speak to the defined benefits. Mr. Morse spoke to defined benefits. Ms. Vadla clarified her stance in this regard. Ms. MacRae posed a question regarding education and investing. Mr. Kelly spoke to this. Mr. Holland spoke to the last legislative session regarding bill SB 88 which had language regarding retirement. Mr. Kelly spoke to this and provided some clarification. Mr. Tauriainen further posed that "Focus on retention and recruitment of high-quality educators by investing in defined benefits." should be revised and moved further down the list. Mr. Kelly was invited to speak. He spoke in regards to moving through the timeline Legislative Priorities and timeline. Mr. Morse expressed further that he would like to see the defined benefits excluded. Ms. Vadla spoke to this and posed that Board Members express what they would like to discuss with the Legislators. Mr. Daugharty posed another question further about the approach of the work session. Ms. Vadla spoke to this. Mr. Kelly spoke to the invitation to the state legislators and clarified the intention of holding the work session with the state legislators. Ms. Vadla and Ms. Truesdell agreed. Mr. Morse again expressed that he would still appreciate that Board Members all get a chance to ask questions to the state legislators. Mr. Kelly asked who was going to be in attendance at the Work Session from the Kenai State Legislation. Ms. Vadla spoke to the importance of student voice. Mr. Holland was invited to speak, and posed the questions that he would like addressed from the legislators.

4. Adjourn

Ms. Vadla adjourned the meeting at 10:45 a.m.