APPROVED 05-05-2025

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna AK 99669

REVISED Board of Education Special Meeting (Wednesday, April 23, 2025)

Generated by Nikkol Sipes on Thursday, April 24, 2025

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. Truesdell read the district mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Members Present: Ms. Kelley Cizek, Mr. Tim Daugharty, Ms. Sarah Douthit, Ms. Dianne MacRae (joined at 6:03 p.m.), Ms. Virginia Morgan, Mr. Jason Tauriainen, Ms. Patti Truesdell, Mrs. Penny Vadla, Mr. Zen Kelly, Miss Emerson Kapp, Student Representative

E. Approval of Agenda

Move to approve the April 23, 2025 Special Meeting agenda as presented.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Patti Truesdell.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Zen Kelly, Virginia Morgan, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla

Not Present at Vote: Dianne MacRae

2. LAYDOWN Discussion: FY26 Preliminary Budget

A. FY26 Preliminary Budget

Mr. Kelly noted that this is an opportunity for the full Board to discuss and provide input regarding the FY26 Preliminary Budget presented this evening. He also reviewed the finance committee's work on the document and the budget scenarios including that at this time the funding from both the Borough and the State Legislature are unknown. Ms. Cizek requested clarification regarding the intent behind the discussion. Mr. Kelly spoke to this. Mr. Tauriainen spoke to items being proposed for reductions that he is opposed to within the document. He also noted the importance of funding from the state to keep many of the proposed reduction items. Mr. Kelly provided clarification regarding the budget process and transmission of the preliminary budget to the Borough Assembly. Ms. Vadla spoke to how difficult these decisions are and also to the items being proposed for reductions that she is opposed to within the document. She also spoke to the importance of funding from the state. Ms. MacRae proposed the Board cut AASB funding. Ms. Truesdell spoke to how difficult these decisions are. She also spoke to the reduction items that she is opposed to within the document. Miss Kapp, as student representative, spoke to some of the potential impacts some of the reductions can have on students. She spoke to some of her peers' views on the proposed reductions as well. Ms. Cizek spoke to the reductions she is opposed to in particular the school closures. She proposed removing the Sterling Elementary from the reductions list. Mr. Kelly spoke to previous Board and committee discussions regarding school closures/consolidations that have been considered for FY26. He once more spoke to the importance of adequate funding form the state. Mr. Tauriainen also spoke again to the importance of adequate state funding. Ms. Morgan spoke to the opportunities the Board still has to adjust the budget even after approving the preliminary this evening. She spoke to the items that she is opposed to on the reductions list and how difficult these decisions are. She noted the most recent Governor's proposals regarding a BSA increase and pointed to disparities in funding among different state departments. She also spoke to the importance of adequate state funding for education. Mr. Kelly spoke to the budget timeline and process and how it impacts funding for staffing, recruitment and retention. He noted the contracts that are up for Board approval this evening. He also noted that in previous years the District had savings that could offset some of these reductions however there are no savings this year to utilize in this manner.

3. Action Item

A. REVISED FY26 Preliminary Budget

Mr. Kelly noted the timeline of the budget being transmitted to the Borough and asked for public comments on the action item.
Krystal Duval testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Amanda Kimbrell testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Denise Kelly testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Serina Montgomery testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Elizabeth Kvamme testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Maria Chythlook testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Heidi Geagel testified in support of the Middle College and Seldovia pools.
Tara Swanson testified in support of Seward area school consolidations.
Brian Coraclas testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Tobin a student who testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Tracy Smith testified in opposition to proposed budget reductions.
Tabitha Blades testified in opposition to the proposed budget reductions.
Danielle Fidai testified in support of the Middle College.
Tina Knustson testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Noble Cassidy testified in support of Middle College but in opposition to school closures.
Christina Premer testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Winter Marshall-Allen testified in opposition to school closures. She testified in support of teacher contracts.
Katelyn Dickerson testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Ashley Magallanes testified in support of the Middle College.
Harley Magallanes testified in support of the Middle College.
Peter Micciche testified regarding the budget, as well as Borough and state funding.
Diane Maples testified in support of Nikolaevsk school.

Mr. Kelly closed public comment on the action item.

Move to approve the FY26 Preliminary Budget based on the 680 BSA Increase Scenario.

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Ms. Morgan immediately moved to amend the main motion.

Move to amend by adopting the Morgan/Douthit Amendment 1 and Attachment A.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Sarah Douthit.

Ms. Morgan spoke to her amendment and the attached amendment document.
Mr. Kelly spoke in support of the amendment to the main motion and listed the reimbursements within the amendment document in the case of a 1000 increase to the BSA.
Mr. Tauriainen spoke in support of the amendment.
Ms. Douthit spoke to her support of the amendment.
Ms. Cizek spoke in support of the amendment.
Ms. Vadla spoke in support of the amendment.
Mr. Kelly provided clarity relating to the amendment.
Mr. Tauriainen agreed with Mr. Kelly and supported the amendment coming forward.
Ms. Truesdell spoke in support of the amendment.
Ms. Cizek requested clarification to the development of the amendment.
Ms. Morgan spoke to the development of the proposed amendment.
Ms. Douthit spoke to the development of the proposed amendment.
Mr. Kelly spoke to the development of the proposed amendment.
Mr. Daugharty spoke in support of the amendment.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Sarah Douthit.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Zen Kelly, Dianne MacRae, Virginia Morgan, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla
Mr. Tauriainen noted that he will vote in support of passing this preliminary budget but with the intention that it is not the final budget.
Ms. Vadla spoke in support of passing the preliminary budget with the intention that it can be adjusted in the future.
Ms. Cizek proposed another amendment to the main motion.

Move to amend to remove Sterling Elementary closure and in it's place institute a reduction in transportation transfer for 550, 000 and then shorting the funding contingency by 152, 000.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Ms. Cizek spoke to her amendment.
Mr. Tauriainen spoke in opposition of the amendment.
Ms. Truesdell requested clarification regarding the proposed figures within the amendment.
Mr. Kelly spoke to these figures in particular the transportation transfer reduction. He also spoke in opposition to the amendment.
Ms. Douthit spoke in opposition to the amendment.
Ms. Vadla spoke in opposition to the amendment.
Ms. MacRae spoke on the item.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Final Resolution: Motion Failed

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Dianne MacRae

No: Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Zen Kelly, Virginia Morgan, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla

Mr. Tauriainen once more spoke to the main motion on the floor of the FY26 Preliminary budget and that it is only a draft and encouraged the Board to pass it.

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Zen Kelly, Dianne MacRae, Virginia Morgan, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla

No: Kelley Cizek

Move to approve the FY26 Preliminary Budget based on the 680 BSA Increase Scenario.

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Zen Kelly, Dianne MacRae, Virginia Morgan, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla

No: Kelley Cizek

Move to amend by adopting the Morgan/Douthit Amendment 1 and Attachment A.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Sarah Douthit.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Move to amend to remove Sterling Elementary closure and in it's place institute a reduction in transportation transfer for 550, 000 and then shorting the funding contingency by 152, 000.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Final Resolution: Motion Failed

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Dianne MacRae

No: Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Zen Kelly, Virginia Morgan, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla

Mr. Kelly called a brief recess at 8:35 p.m.
Mr. Kelly called the meeting back to order at 8:45 p.m.

4. Action Item

A. LAYDOWN 2025-26 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s)

Krystal Duval testified in support of the action item.

Move to approve the 2025-26 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s).

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Patti Truesdell.

Mr. Tauriainen spoke in support of the item.
Ms. MacRae spoke in support of the item.
Ms. Vadla spoke in support of the item.
Ms. Morgan spoke in support of the item.
Mr. Kelly spoke to the reasoning behind the number of contracts coming forward this evening.

Move to approve the 2025-26 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s).

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Patti Truesdell.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Miss Kapp, student representative advisory vote: Yes

5. Action Item

A. LAYDOWN 2025-26 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s) and Tenure

Move to approve the 2025-26 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s) and Tenure.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Virginia Morgan.

Mr. Kelly spoke to the item.

Move to approve the 2025-26 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s) and Tenure.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Virginia Morgan.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Miss Kapp, student representative advisory vote: Yes

6. Adjourn

A. Adjourn Meeting

Mr. Kelly adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.