APPROVED 05-06-2024

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna AK 99669

Board of Education Special Meeting (Monday, April 15, 2024)

Generated by Nikkol Sipes on Tuesday, April 16, 2024

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

Mr. Kelly called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.

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

C. District Mission Statement

Ms. Cizek read the District mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Members Present: Ms. Kelley Cizek, Mr. Tim Daugharty, Ms. Dianne MacRae (joined the meeting virtually at 6:33 p.m.), Ms. Virginia Morgan (attended telephonically), Mr. Matt Morse, Mr. Jason Tauriainen, Ms. Patti Truesdell, Mrs. Penny Vadla, Mr. Zen Kelly
Members Absent: Miss Maggie Grenier, Student Representative

E. Approval of Agenda

The April 15, 2024 Special Meeting agenda was approved as presented.

Move to approve the April 15, 2024 Special Meeting 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

Not Present at Vote: Dianne MacRae

2. Action Items

A. FY25 Preliminary Budget

Susanna Litwiniak spoke to the action item, and potential walk ins planned in the district in advocation for a BSA increase.
LaDawn Druce spoke in regards to the potential walk ins, in support of the BSA increase, and spoke to the action item. She also announced the results of the KPEA elections.

Move to approve a total General Fund revenue budget and use of fund balance of $139,504,883, which includes $58,170,974 from the Kenai Peninsula Borough. A General Fund expenditure budget of $139,504,883. Board action to approve a $139,504,883 FY25 General Fund budget is requested.

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Matt Morse.

Mr. Tauriainen spoke to the action item and asked whether there is an update on the legislature. Mr. Kelly spoke to this and that there is still uncertainty regarding the BSA increase. Mr. Tauriainen also posed a question regarding the maintenance of equity funds. Mr. Kelly spoke to the latest correspondence from Commissioner Bishop. Mr. Holland was invited to speak to this update, the State DEED has been given until April 24 to have this resolved and that the shortfall funding amount did decrease from the amount originally stated. Mr. Kelly noted that this funding cannot be counted on at this time for the FY25 budget. Mr. Tauriainen noted that this action item is put forward to pass a balanced budget in accordance to the timeline put forward in state statute. Mr. Kelly agreed with Mr. Tauriainen and spoke to the reasoning behind some of the reductions that were made to balance the budget and noted that by passing the FY25 budget this evening this begins the process of requesting funds from the Borough Assembly. Ms. Vadla spoke to her attempts to advocate for a BSA increase in and gave updates on some of the state legislature bills. She encouraged others to advocate for a BSA increase. She noted her hesitancy in supporting the action item. Mr. Morse spoke in support of the action item this evening in hopes of receiving adequate funding from the state to come back with a revision in the future. He also spoke to discussions with the borough and the district regarding pools and theaters. Ms. Truesdell spoke in support of the action item this evening also with hopes that the district will receive more funding to amend the budget in the future. She spoke in support in particular for school councilors. Ms. Vadla posed a question regarding the athletics reductions within the document. Mr. Kelly spoke to this, and invited Ms. Hayes to speak to these reductions. Ms. Hayes spoke to extra curricular stipends being reduced on the proposed FY25 Preliminary Budget and what that entails. Ms. Cizek spoke to the action item and the difficult decisions that were made regarding the reductions to balance the budget. She spoke in particular to the lower PTR increase that was set forward by the Finance Committee and the Board. She noted that the Board will hopefully be amending the budget in the future. Mr. Kelly appreciated the finance department and those involved with the process of building and balancing the FY25 budget. He noted once more that this is for the purpose of being in compliance with the state statute to transmit the balanced budget to the Borough Assembly. Mr. Tauriainen spoke to reservations regarding his vote this evening. Mr. Kelly provided a clarification regarding the committed fund balance. Mr. Kelly committed to revisit the budget discussions in the future once there was a clearer picture of funding from the state.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

No: Penny Vadla

3. Adjourn

A. Adjourn Meeting

Mr. Kelly adjourned the meeting at 6:38 p.m.