APPROVED 01-08-2024

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley Street Soldotna Alaska 99669

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

Generated by Nikkol Sipes on Tuesday, December 5, 2023

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

The Skyview Jazz Band performed the Star Spangled Banner.

C. District Mission Statement

Ms. Truesdell read the district mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Members Present: Ms. Kelley Cizek, Mr. Tim Daugharty, Ms. Dianne MacRae (attended virtually), Ms. Virginia Morgan, Mr. Matt Morse, Mr. Jason Tauriainen, Ms. Patti Truesdell, Mrs. Penny Vadla, Mr. Zen Kelly, Miss Maggie Grenier, Student Representative

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.

Move to approve the December 4, 2023 agenda as presented.

Motion by Patti Truesdell, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

F. Approval of Minutes 11-06-2023

The November 6, 2023 Business Meeting minutes were approved as printed.

2. Awards and Presentations

There were none this evening.

3. School Reports

A. Skyview Middle School, Ms. Shonia Werner

Ms. Werner provided the Board with the Skyview Middle School report and presentation.
Ms. Truesdell appreciated the presentation and school report.
Ms. Vadla appreciated the presentation and school report.
Mr. Tauriainen appreciated the presentation and school report.
Miss Grenier appreciated the presentation and school report. She also stressed the importance of student voice.
Mr. Morse appreciated the presentation and school report.
Mr. Kelly called a brief recess at 6:33 p.m.
Mr. Kelly reconvened the meeting at 6:35 p.m.

B. Soldotna High School, Mr. Sarge Truesdell

Mr. Truesdell provided the board with the Soldotna High School report and presentation.
Mr. Tauriainen appreciated the presentation and school report.
Ms. Vadla appreciated the presentation and school report.
Mr. Daugharty appreciated the presentation and school report.
Mr. Morse appreciated the presentation and school report.
Ms. Truesdell appreciated the presentation and school report.

4. Student Board Representative Report

A. Student Board Representative Report

Miss Grenier reported on the following:
She spoke in regards to various fundraisers and events happening in schools in the district that celebrate the holidays, including the Musical Elf at Nikiski Middle High School. She spoke in regards to district athletics and gave some highlights. She once again spoke to the importance of student voice and encouraged students to testify and comment at meetings as well as reach out to her as student representative.

5. Student Presentations/Comments (Any topic)

A. Student Presentations/Comments (Any topic)

Susan Nabohlz who teaches journalism introduced students in the course that will be commenting this evening.
Nik Sebesta spoke in regards to being a purple page reporter.
Effie Musster spoke in regards to being a reporter at purple pages and what she has learned.
Truman Dodson also spoke in regards to being a reporter as well as what he has learned.
Jaren Nash student body president gave a report on the highlights of the events happening at Soldotna High School.
Charisma Watkins spoke in regards to the Government class she is in as well as fundraising events and cocurricular including pools and theaters.
Caitilin Ba spoke in regards to learning about school funding.
Enoch Frederickson spoke in regards to legislative priorities, the BSA and funding.
Jaren Nash was invited to speak again read the District's mission statement. He spoke in regards to advocating to the state legislature.
Jennifer Webster spoke in regards to her theater and band experience in the school district. She also spoke in regards to advocating for funding at the state legislature.
Mr. Kelly called a brief recess at 7:17 p.m.
Mr. Kelly reconvened the meeting at 7:25 p.m.

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

Debbie Cary spoke in regards to budgets, and the state legislature. She also noted the importance of student voice.

7. Hearing of Delegations

There were none this evening.

8. Communications and Petitions

A. Mr. Holland

Mr. Holland reported on the following:
He appreciated the student's speaking and presenting this evening. He appreciated the school reports this evening. He appreciated the Kenai Peninsula State Legislators that attended the work session. He noted he gave the KPB Assembly the KPBSD quarterly update with AnnaLeah Karron. He appreciated the transportation department. He recognized Tim Dillon. He recognized Ms. Adams, Mr. Lyon, and Ms. Dendurent with representing the District at the state level. He appreciated and remembered Father Michael Oleksa.

9. 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

Ms. Susanna Litwiniak, KPESA president, she spoke in regards to a land acknowledgement. She spoke in regards to staffing including library services. She spoke in regards to funding. She spoke in regards to the importance of student voice.
Ms. Jenna Fabian, AAESP secretary, spoke in regards to collaboration between Nikiski North Star and Nikiski Middle High schools. She spoke in regards to the student involvement in this collaboration.

10. Superintendent's Report

A. Mr. Holland

Mr. Holland reported on the following:
He appreciated the Board's decision for allowing a place on the agenda for students to speak at the meetings. He noted the advocation of the district and the Board during the last session. He noted the daily attendance rate reported in Alaska, and noted the high attendance rate in the KPBSD. He noted his attendance of the Wizard of Oz production. He noted that he will be attending the upcoming Nikiski Middle School musical performance Elf. He noted that he attended the literacy fest at Sterling Elementary, and the effort to increase family engagement in schools. He noted several upcoming athletic events. He spoke in regards to several updates on school safety systems. He appreciated all the staff at KPBSD.

11. Reports

A. October Finance Reports 2023-12-4

Ms. Hayes provided the October finance reports.

B. Board Reports

Mr. Tauriainen attended Nikiski North Star and Nikiski Middle High School site councils, the finance committee meeting and a Soldotna High School government class.
Mr. Morse attended the Mountain View site council.
Ms. Vadla attended the AASB annual fall conference, and noted the presentations she attended during the event. She attended a student study group regarding student outcomes.
Ms. Cizek attended the AASB annual fall conference. She noted the Resilient Alaska Youth Program, attended the Skyview site council and met with the pool manager at Skyview.
Ms. Truesdell attended the Skyview site council , and Soldotna high school history classes.
Ms. Morgan also attended the AASB annual conference. She visited Soldotna High School and the government classes. She attended the Cooper Landing title I meeting and the finance committee meeting as well as the CKLA team meeting.
Mr. Daugharty attended the Homer High site council, the KPSAA meeting, and an early morning coffee at Fireweed. He refereed a West Homer and McNeil canyon game, attended a Paul Banks site council and a Kenai vs. Homer middle school basketball game.
Ms. MacRae attended the AASB annual conference.

C. Committee Reports

Ms. Vadla reported on the Information Committee meeting held earlier today.
Ms. Morgan reported on the Policy Committee meeting held earlier today.
Mr. Kelly reported on the Finance Committee meeting held on November 28, 2023.

D. Board Work Session Report

Mr. Kelly reported on the following work sessions held earlier today:
Discussion: Graduation Requirements
Class Size Report
Staffing Formula
Discussion with State Legislators
Budget 101 Work Sessions: Chart of Accounts
Board Discussion

12. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Consent Agenda

Resolution: Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-D.

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-D.

Motion by Matt Morse, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Miss Grenier Advisory Vote: Yes

B. 2023-24 Long-Term Substitute Teacher Contract(s)

Resolution: Move to approve long-term substitute teacher contract(s)

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-D.

Motion by Matt Morse, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Miss Grenier Advisory Vote: Yes

C. 2023-24 New Teacher Contract(s)

Resolution: Move to approve 2023-24 New Teacher Contract(s)

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-D.

Motion by Matt Morse, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Miss Grenier Advisory Vote: Yes

D. Leave of Absence Request/Support

Resolution: Move to approve the request for an unpaid leave of absence.

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-D.

Motion by Matt Morse, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Miss Grenier Advisory Vote: Yes

13. Action Items

A. *REVISED* 2024 Legislative Priorities

Move to approve the 2024 Legislative Priorities.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Patti Truesdell.

Ms. Morgan commented on the item.
Mr. Tauriainen commented on the item.
Mr. Morse commented on the item.
Mr. Kelly commented on the item.
Ms. Vadla commented on the item.
Ms. Cizek commented on the item.
Mr. Holland was invited to comment on the item.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Miss Grenier Advisory Vote: Yes

B. Four-Day School Week Ad Hoc Committee

Move to approve and activate the Four-Day School Week Ad Hoc Committee.

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Penny Vadla.

Mr. Tauriainen commented on this item.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Miss Grenier Advisory Vote: Yes

14. First Reading of Policy Revisions

A. BP 6112 School Day

The Board was provided a first reading of policy BP 6112 School Day.

B. BP 6148 Early Education Programs

The Board was provided a first reading of policy BP 6148 Early Education Programs.

15. Public Presentations/Comments

A. Public Presentations/Comments Any Topic

Debbie Cary spoke in regards to budgeting.
Susanna Litwiniak spoke in regards to the goals of NEA.
Andy Cizek spoke in regards to homeschool and inflation.
Cody McCanna spoke in regards to charter schools.

16. Board Comments

A. Board Comments

Mr. Morse appreciated the meeting, and the school reports this evening. He expressed the importance of student voice and advocating to the legislature to increase the BSA.
Ms. Cizek noted the finance committee meeting discussion and trying to find creative solutions to overcome the upcoming budget deficit. She appreciated the school presentations and reports this evening.
Ms. Truesdell appreciated the meeting this evening. She appreciated the school reports. She appreciated the state legislators that attended the work session. She noted the land acknowledgement that Ms. Litwiniak read. She noted the importance of advocating and the legislative priorities.
Miss Grenier appreciated the attendance on the evening this evening. She appreciated and expressed her public school experience. She appreciated all of the student's speaking this evening, in particular collaborating with Soldotna Student Council.
Mr. Tauriainen appreciated Miss Grenier. He appreciated the Budget 101 work session. He spoke in regards to school funding. He appreciated the school reports this evening.
Ms. Vadla appreciated the students who spoke this evening. She appreciated the school reports this evening. She appreciated Mr. Truesdell for his service with the district. She appreciated the speakers who spoke tonight for the organizations. She appreciated Ms. Cary's testimony this evening. She appreciated the staff of KPBSD. She appreciated the legislators that attended the work session this afternoon. She spoke to the importance of advocacy. She appreciated and remembered Father Oleksa.

Ms. MacRae spoke to the importance of the extra curricular activities.
Ms. Morgan appreciated Miss Grenier. She appreciated the musical performances this evening and the school reports. She appreciated the state legislator work session this afternoon. She appreciated her latest visit to Soldotna High school and the government classes and noted some of the student's concerns. She recognized and appreciated Morgan Carlson. She appreciated educators rising.
Mr. Daugharty appreciated Ms. Dendurent, Mr. Crabtree, and Ms. Hayes. He appreciated the student's who spoke this evening. He encouraged community outreach and partnerships to continue to provide the current programs within the district. He appreciated the evening this evening.
Mr. Kelly appreciated the meeting today. He appreciated Mr. Holland and the administrative staff for bringing information forward in the work sessions held this afternoon. He appreciated the state legislative work session this afternoon. He appreciated Miss Grenier's report.

17. Executive Session

There were no executive sessions held this evening.

18. Adjourn

Mr. Kelly adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m.