Board of Education Meeting

September 8, 2025

Meeting Minutes-Approved (10-20-2025)

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Meeting Location:

Seward High School Theater

2100 Swetman St.

Seward, AK 99664

Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/708024188

Conference ID: 708 024 188

Broadcast Live: https://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

President Kelly called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

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

The pledge of allegiance was recited.

C. District Mission Statement

Ms. Vadla read the district mission statement.

D. Roll Call

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

Student Representative: Miss Shania Weathers (attended virtually)

A quorum was established.

Others in attendance:

Superintendent Holland

Assistant Superintendent Dendurent

Finance Director Voivedich

E. Approval of Agenda

Motion: Move to approve the September 8, 2025 Regular Business meeting agenda as presented.

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Penny Vadla.

Motion: Move to amend the agenda to add agenda item 13C FY 26 Budget Revision.

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Motion Carried

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

Main Motion carried as amended.

The September 8, 2025 Regular Business meeting agenda was approved as amended

Motion Carried

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

F. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes 08-04-2025

The August 4, 2025 Special Meeting minutes were approved as presented.

G. Approval of Minutes 08-04-2025

The August 4, 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. Seward Elementary School, and Moose Pass School, Mr. Matthew Cook

Principal of Seward Elementary, Matthew Cook, provided the Seward Elementary School Report to the Board and students performed a song.

Board Members that appreciated the school report and performance this evening:

Ms. Vadla
Ms. MacRae

Ms. Morgan
Ms. Truesdell
President Kelly
Principal of Moose Pass School Matthew Cook and Sandy Barron teacher at Moose Pass provided the Moose Pass School Report to the Board along with several students speaking.

Board Members that appreciated the school report:

Ms. Vadla
Ms. Morgan
Ms. Douthit
Ms. Truesdell

Superintendent Holland
President Kelly called a brief ease at 6:52 p.m.
President Kelly called the meeting back to order at 7:02 p.m.

4. Student Board Representative Report

A. Student Board Representative Report

Miss Shania Weathers, Student Representative, reported on the following:
In her first report of the 2025-2026 school year she appreciated all the input she's received about the start of the school so far. She reported on the following schools, Nikiski Elementary school, Nikiski Middle/School, Kenai Middle school, Tustumena Elementary school, and Homer High school.

5. Student Presentations/Comments (Any topic)

A. Student Presentations/Comments (Any topic)

President Kelly called for student comments on any topic.

Students that provided comments:

Somelia Clendaniel, as Seward High School student council president

Lola Swanson
Mike Gaegel

Navea Gaegel read a letter from a student Allen Gaegel
Somelia Clendaniel

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

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

Members of the public that provided comments:

Jennifer Ransom
Elizabeth Swaby
Jennifer Howe

7. Hearing of Delegations

A. Hearing of Delegations

There were none this evening.

8. Communications and Petitions

A. Mr. Holland

Superintendent Holland provided Communications and Petitions.

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

The following representatives provided comments this evening:

Ms. Rebecca Walker, KPEA president
Ms. Susanna Litwiniak, KPESA president

10. Superintendent's Report

A. Mr. Holland

Superintendent Holland provided the Superintendent's Report.

11. Reports

A. July Finance Reports 2025-9-8

Finance Director Voivedich provided the July finance reports to the Board.

B. Board Reports

Vice President Tauriainen attended Nikiski North Star opening day welcoming students, an open house at Nikiski Middle High School, and met with Nikiski Middle High School principal.
Ms. Morgan listened to the state education task force meeting, and visited Cooper Landing school.
Ms. Vadla visited Redoubt, Montessori and Soldotna Elementary schools, and visited Soldotna High School, River City Academy and Skyview Middle schools. She worked with the AASB June Nelson Memorial Scholarship committee.
Ms. Douthit attended a back to school night at Mountain View. She listened to the state education task force meeting, and she watched the Kenai Marching Band.
Ms. Truesdell attended the interviews of the Tulen Charter School Principal and attended their open house.
Mr. Daugharty attended all day union negotiations, the Homer Middle back to school event, and a planning session for KPEA negations. He attended the first day of school at Paul Banks, Homer High School, Homer Middle School and a parks and recreation meeting. He attended another KPEA negotiations meeting, a Homer High Site Council meeting, and a Homer Middle School and Voznesenka soccer match.
President Kelly attended the school board candidate orientation.

C. Committee Reports

Ms. Morgan, policy committee chair, reported on the policy committee meeting held earlier today.
President Kelly, finance committee chair, reported on the finance committee meeting held earlier today.

D. Board Work Session Report

President Kelly reported that the Board held work sessions earlier today for the following topics and that all members present at the meeting this evening were present at the work sessions:
School Consolidation Discussion
MAPs Growth and AK Star Monitoring
Legislative Priorities Discussion
2024-2025 Annual Report
Board Policy Review
Finance Work Session

12. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Consent Agenda

President Kelly called for public comment on the consent agenda items.

There was none offered.

Motion: Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-E and G.

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-E and G.

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Penny Vadla.

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

Miss Shania Weathers Student Representative Advisory Vote: Yes

B. 2025-26 New Teacher Contract(s)

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

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-E and G.

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Penny Vadla.

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

Miss Shania Weathers Student Representative Advisory Vote: Yes

C. 2025-26 Temporary Retired Teacher Contract(s)

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

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-E and G.

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Penny Vadla.

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

Miss Shania Weathers Student Representative Advisory Vote: Yes

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

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

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-E and G.

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Penny Vadla.

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

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

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

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-E and G.

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Penny Vadla.

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

Miss Shania Weathers Student Representative Advisory Vote: Yes

F. Leave of Absence Request/Support WITHDRAWN

The item was WITHDRAWN at the employee's request and excluded from the consent agenda approval.

G. Student Representative to the School Board

Move to approve Miss Shania Weathers as the Student Representative to the School Board.

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-E and G.

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Penny Vadla.

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

Miss Shania Weathers Student Representative Advisory Vote: Yes

13. Action Items

A. KPBSD School Nurses

President Kelly called for public comment on action item KPBSD School Nurses. There was none offered.

Motion: Move to approve KPBSD School Nurses as presenters who are highly trained and assist teachers in providing students information and resources on curricular topics.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Jason Tauriainen.

President Kelly called for Board comments. There were none offered.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Miss Shania Weathers Student Representative Advisory Vote: Yes

B. Outside Agency Personnel Approval

President Kelly called for public comment on action item Outside Agency Personnel Approval. There was none offered.

Motion: Move to approve the credentials of trainers from outside organizations such as the Lee Shore Center (Central Peninsula). The presenters are highly trained and assist teachers in providing students information and resources on curricular topics.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Patti Truesdell.

President Kelly called for Board Comment. There was none offered.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Miss Shania Weathers Student Representative Advisory Vote: Yes

C. LAYDOWN FY26 Budget Revision

President Kelly called for public comment on the Laydown action item FY26 Budget Revision.

Debbie Cary commented in support of the action item.
Heidi Geagle commented in support of the action item.
Brent Johnson commented in support of the action item.
Lisa Danish commented in support of the action item.

Motion: Move to direct administration to restore the reductions to the Ninilchik and Seldovia pools, high school extracurricular stipends, extracurricular transportation, and curriculum materials, and to add five SPED Intensive Needs Aides, a Communications Specialist, a "Grow Your Own" paraeducator program, the CTE/Intensive proposal, a Counseling Secretary position, Warehouse Truck and a Middle College addition, with total costs not to exceed $1,830,000.
Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Jason Tauriainen.

President Kelly called for Board Comments on the motion.

President Kelly spoke to the motion, and discussions held earlier today regarding the items proposed in the budget revision.
Mr. Tauriainen spoke in support of the item.
Ms. Truesdell spoke in support of the item.
Ms. Vadla spoke in support of the item.

Motion Carried: Move to direct administration to restore the reductions to the Ninilchik and Seldovia pools, high school extracurricular stipends, extracurricular transportation, and curriculum materials, and to add five SPED Intensive Needs Aides, a Communications Specialist, a "Grow Your Own" paraeducator program, the CTE/Intensive proposal, a Counseling Secretary position, Warehouse Truck and a Middle College addition, with total costs not to exceed $1,830,000.

Motion by Zen Kelly, second by Jason Tauriainen.

Motion Carried

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

Miss Shania Weathers Student Representative Advisory Vote: Yes

14. First Reading of Policy Revisions

A. BP 3310 Purchasing Procedures