APPROVED 07-07-2025

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St. Soldotna Alaska 99669

Board of Education Meeting (Monday, June 2, 2025)

Generated by Nikkol Sipes on Tuesday, June 3, 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

Mr. Kelly read the district mission statement.

D. Roll Call

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

E. Approval of Agenda

The June 2, 2025 Regular Business meeting agenda was approved as presented.

Move to approve the June 2, 2025 Regular Business meeting agenda as presented.

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, Penny Vadla

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell

F. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes 05-05-2025

The May 5, 2025 Special Meeting minutes were approved as presented.

G. Approval of Minutes 05-05-2025

The May 5, 2025 Regular Business meeting minutes were approved as presented.

2. Awards and Presentations

A. Awards and Presentations

There were none this evening.

3. School Reports

A. School Reports

There were none this evening.

4. Student Board Representative Report

A. Student Board Representative Report

There were none this evening.

5. Student Presentations/Comments (Any topic)

A. Student Presentations/Comments (Any topic)

Alex Gist testified in support of the Middle College program.

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

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

Jason Gist testified in support of the Middle College program.
Kameron Kowalski testified regarding Seward area music programs and education funding.
Jeff Jicha testified in regards to curriculum.
Kristal Duval testified in regards to education funding.
Donna Anderson testified in regards to the Board Evaluation, exit interviews, and school consolidations.
Connie Ferguson testified in regards to education funding, school consolidations and closures.
Michaela Jicha, student, testified in support of Sterling Elementary.
Mary Wittus testified to her child's experience in the KPBSD.

7. Hearing of Delegations

A. Hearing of Delegations

There were none this evening.

8. Communications and Petitions

A. Mr. Holland
There were none given this evening.

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

There were none this evening.

10. Superintendent's Report

A. Mr. Holland

Mr. Holland reported on the following:
He appreciated the Board. He recognized and congratulated the graduating seniors. He gave several district athletic highlights. He recognized the finance department for the Ameritorious Budget Award. He spoke regarding the Middle College and the Carl Perkin's Grant and working together with KPC to provide the program. He provided the 2024-2025 KPBSD CTE program data. He spoke in regards to the Governor's veto override the state legislators voted on for SB 57 and the uncertainty still for education funding due to the Governor's appropriation. He provided an update regarding the pool use, and that select pools will be open throughout the summer. He noted the uncertainty of the Sterling Elementary closure still and discussions with the community and staff in this regard. He noted that the Redoubt Elementary principal position is open however hiring will be on hold and contingent on the Board's Sterling Elementary decision. He provided an update regarding the Bond Package with work between the Borough and the District. He provided an update to the District's implementation of exit surveys for certified staff and then with the goal of distributing these to classified staff in the future. He recognized Ms. Jessica Scogin moving on from the district with Ms. Betty Hall replacing her as the federal programs coordinator. He recognized Mr. Jeff Ambroiser's retirement. He recognized Mr. Eric Pederson for moving on from District Office to be principal at Homer High School. He addressed some of the testimony this evening. Mr. Kelly posed a question to Mr. Holland regarding the Middle College and classes offered through KPC. Mr. Holland spoke to alternative options including the Jump Start program available to students.

11. Reports

A. April Finance Reports 2025-6-2

Ms. Voivedich provided the April Finance Reports.

B. Lease Agreements for 2025-2026

Mr. Lyon provided the Lease Agreements for 2025-2026.

C. Board Reports

Ms. Douthit attended the Soldotna High School government class discussion, visited Sterling Elementary, attended KCHS site council, attended a Soldotna City Chambers meeting, visited Kaleidoscope for retirement celebrations, attended the KCHS graduation, the Homer High school graduation, the end of year Mountain View BBQ, and then the Connections graduation.
Ms. Cizek attended the Sterling Elementary science fair, the Razdolna, K-Selo and Voznesenka graduations, she attended Skyview 8th grade graduation, and then the Sterling elementary final awards day.
Ms. MacRae attended the Ninilchik graduation.
Ms. Vadla attended the River City Academy graduation, Kenai Alternative graduation, and Soldotna High School graduation and visited Redoubt Elementary.
Ms. Morgan attended the last two Borough Assembly meetings, and the Seward High School and Hope school graduations.
Mr. Daugharty attended the unions negation meetings, the Homer High site council meeting, he visited Nikolaevsk school, attended a planet youth organization meeting, and attended the K-Selo and Voznesenka graduation. He also attended an Assembly meeting virtually, and both the Homer High School and Homer Flex graduations. He attended the Homer High last day BBQ, and then attended the Nikolaevsk meeting for the community.
Mr. Kelly attended the last two Assembly meetings, a Seldovia PAC meeting, the district healthcare committee meeting, the Nanwalek graduation, and the Homer Flex graduation.

D. Committee Reports

Mr. Daugharty provided the charter school oversight committee meeting report for the meeting held earlier today.

E. Board Work Session Report

Mr. Kelly reported that the Board held work sessions for:
Health Materials Review
Finance Update
Board Discussion

12. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Consent Agenda

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

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-G.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell

B. 2024-25 Long-Term Substitute Teacher Contract(s)

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

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-G.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell

C. 2025-26 New Teacher Contract(s)

Resolution: Move to approve 2025-26 New Teacher Contract(s)

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-G.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell

D. BP 5121 Assessment (Evaluation of Student Achievement)

Resolution: Move to approve BP 5121 Assessment (Evaluation of Student Achievement).

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-G.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell

E. Budget Transfers over $50,000 2025-6-2

Resolution: Move to approve budget transfer in excess of $50,000.

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-G.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell

F. Leave of Absence Request/Certified

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

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-G.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell

G. Pay Schedule for Substitutes and other Temporary Employees for the 2025-26 school year

Resolution: Move to approve the above referenced pay schedule for the 2025-26 school year, effective July 1, 2025.

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-G.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell

13. Action Items

A. Approval of Safe Children's Act, Sex Education, and Human Reproduction materials

Ms. Cizek spoke to the item.

Move to approve Safe Children's Act, Sex Education, and Human Reproduction materials.

Motion by Virginia Morgan, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell

B. Kenai Peninsula School Athletic Association (KPSAA) Handbook SY 2025-2026

Move to approve the Kenai Peninsula School Athletic Association (KPSAA) Handbook SY 2025-2026.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Tim Daugharty.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell

C. FY25 Budget Revisions for General Funds and Student Transportation

Move to approve the FY25 Budget Revisions for General Funds and Student Transportation.

Mr. Kelly spoke to the item.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Tim Daugharty.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell

14. First Reading of Policy Revisions

A. First Reading of Policy Revisions

There were none this evening.

15. Public Presentations/Comments

A. Public Presentations/Comments Any Topic

Brent Johnson testified in regards to Borough funding.
Mary Wittus testified once more in regards to her child's experience in KPBSD as well as her own experience.
Jeanne Reveal testified in regards to the action items, 13A and 13B.
Mr. Kelly clarified the cap language within action item 13B.
Krystal Duval testified in regards to education funding and the budget scenarios proposed by the finance committee.
Paul Marks testified in regards to the budget education funding and health care options.
Kameron Kowalski testified once more regarding education funding and staffing in Seward.

16. Board Comments

A. Board Comments

Ms. MacRae spoke to the budget and school programs.
Ms. Cizek appreciated the attendance on the evening and those advocating for programs, their community and schools. She noted the uncertainty of school funding and the hardships that it has caused.
Ms. Douthit appreciated the attendance on the evening and the time those in attendance have taken this evening to attend. She also spoke to the uncertainty of education funding. She appreciated the testimony and once more appreciated those in attendance.
Mr. Daugharty noted his conversations surrounding education funding with community members. He appreciated Michaela Jicha's testimony this evening and that it is proof in the quality education the district provides. He appreciated the improvements in communication between the community and the Board and transparency regarding the budget. He appreciated the attendance this evening.
Ms. Morgan appreciated Paul Marks' testimony this evening. She appreciated the student's in attendance this evening. She appreciated the community and public's efforts to understand education funding as well as the situation with the budget deficit the district is facing. She appreciated the attendance this evening.
Ms. Vadla appreciated the Charter School presentations earlier today. She appreciated Ms. Grimm for her service to the district. She appreciated Mr. Gist's testimony this evening. She spoke regarding exit interviews in particular Mr. Dusek's and the importance of them. She appreciated Jennifer Freeman. She encouraged advocacy to the state legislators. She appreciated the attendance on the evening and those who testified.
Mr. Kelly gave a review of the finance update work session. He spoke to the legislator's veto override and where SB 57 stands with the Governor. He noted the deadline is June 19 for the Governor. He appreciated Mr. Johnson's testimony this evening. He appreciated the support of the Assembly and the Mayor. He noted that the finance committee is scheduled to meet on June 26 to draft a recommendation to the full Board to vote on July 7. He noted the initial data from the mCLASS and MAPS testing is out and that it does show growth. He appreciated the celebration of graduations this last week. He continues to believe that schools are not failing. He appreciated the public involvement this evening at the meeting.
Ms. Cizek addressed Ms. Reveal's testimony.

17. Executive Session

A. Executive Session if needed

There were none this evening.

18. Adjourn

A. Adjourn meeting

Mr. Kelly adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m.