Board of Education Meeting

October 20, 2025

Meeting Minutes-Approved (11-03-2025)

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Meeting Location:

Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers

144 North Binkley Street

Soldotna Alaska, 99669

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 Tauriainen called the meeting to order at 6:01 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:
Board Member Cizek
Board Member Daugharty
Board Member Douthit
Board Member MacRae
Board Member Truesdell

Board Member Vadla
Board Member VanBuskirk
Board Member Waddell

President Tauriainen
Student Representative: Miss Shania Weathers
A quorum was established.
Others Present:
Superintendent Holland
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent
Finance Director Voivedich

E. Approval of Agenda

Motion: Move to approve the October 20, 2025 Regular Business Meeting agenda as presented.

Motion by Patti Truesdell, second by Kelley Cizek.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Dianne MacRae, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell

F. September 8, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes

Motion: Move to approve the September 8, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Patti Truesdell.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Dianne MacRae, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell

G. September 8, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Motion: Move to approve the September 8, 2025 Regular Business Meeting Minutes.

Motion by Sarah Douthit, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Dianne MacRae, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell

2. Awards and Presentations

A. Awards and Presentations

Ms. Virginia Morgan and Mr. Zen Kelly were recognized for their service on the Board of Education.
The Board and Superintendent Holland appreciated both Ms. Morgan and Mr. Kelly for their service on the Board.
Ms. Penny Vadla was recognized for the AASB Lifetime Achievement Boardsmanship Award.

3. School Reports

A. Soldotna Montessori Charter School, Mr. John Devolld

Mr. John Devolld, principal of Soldotna Montessori Charter School provided the school report to the Board. Students gave a presentation and shared some projects they crafted with the Board.
Board Members that appreciated the school report:
Member Vadla
Member Truesdell
Vice President Daugharty
President Tauriainen
President Tauriainen called a brief at ease at 6:46 p.m.
President Tauriainen reconvened the meeting at 6:50 p.m.

4. Student Board Representative Report

A. Student Board Representative Report

Board Student Representative, Miss Shania Weathers, provided the Student Representative Report.

5. Student Presentations/Comments (Any topic)

A. Student Presentations/Comments (Any topic)

President Tauriainen called for student comments on any topic.
Students that provided comments:
Gypsey Shields

Seeing and hearing no other student requests to comment, President Tauriainen closed Student Presentations and Comments.

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

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

President Tauriainen called for public comments.
Members of the public that provided comments:
Kaiti Syverson
Jeff Jicha
Winter Marshall-Allen
Paul Marks
Donna Anderson

Seeing and hearing no other requests to comment, President Tauriainen closed Public Presentations/Comments.

B. Written Testimony

Written testimony was provided by Kaiti Syverson.

7. Hearing of Delegations

A. Hearing of Delegations

There were none this evening.

8. Communications and Petitions

A. Communications and Petitions

Superintendent Holland provided the Superintendent communications and petitions correspondence.

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

President Tauriainen called for comments from representatives from the listed organizations.
The following representatives offered comments:
Ms. Rebecca Walker, KPEA president
Ms. Susanna Litwiniak, KPESA president

Seeing and hearing no other requests to comment, President Tauriainen closed Speakers/Representatives comments.

10. Superintendent's Report

A. Superintendent Holland

Superintendent Holland provided the Superintendent's report.
President Tauriainen called for Board questions and comments.
Members that offered comments or questions:
Board Member Vadla

11. Reports

A. August and September Finance Reports 2025-10-20

President Tauriainen called for the Finance Reports.
Finance Director Voivedich provided the August and September Finance Reports.
President Tauriainen called for any Board questions or comments.
There were none offered.

B. Board Reports

Ms. Vadla attended a Title IV meeting, and visited Cooper Landing School.
Ms. Cizek visited Skyview school and attended a site council meeting, and visited Sterling Elementary school.
Ms. Waddell visited K-Selo, and Voznesenka schools.
Ms. Douthit attended Mountain View PTO meetings, a KCHS site council meeting, and the Mountain View carnival.
Mr. Daugharty attended various negotiations meetings with KPEA, and KPESA, a KPSAA meeting, and a Charter School Oversight committee meeting.
Mr. Tauriainen attended a Title IX campout at NNS, the Board Orientation, and cross country Boroughs.

C. Committee Reports

Vice President Daugharty, chair of the Charter School Oversight Committee, provided the October 9, 2025 Charter School Oversight Committee meeting report.

D. Board Work Session Report

President Tauriainen reported that the Board held work sessions for the following:
Aurora Borealis Charter School Amendment Application
Soldotna Montessori Charter School Renewal Application
Nikolaevsk Charter School Initial Application
Fall 2025 Universal Screening Assessment Review
Board Policy Review
President Tauriainen reported that all members in attendance at the meeting attended the work sessions.

12. Consent Agenda

President Tauriainen read all items on the consent agenda this evening.

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

There were no comments offered.

A. Approval of Consent Agenda

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

B. 2025-26 Long-Term Substitute Teacher Contract(s)

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

C. 2025-26 New Teacher Contract(s)

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

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

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

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

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

F. BP 3310 Purchasing Procedures

Resolution: Move to approve BP 3310 Purchasing Procedures.

G. BP 3450 Money in School Buildings

Resolution: Move to approve BP 3450 Money in School Buildings.

H. BP 3512 Equipment

Resolution: Move to approve BP 3512 Equipment.

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-P.

I. BP 3514.1 Hazardous Substances

Resolution: Move to approve BP 3514.1 Hazardous Substances.

J. BP 3515 School Safety and Security

Resolution: Move to approve BP 3515 School Safety and Security.

K. AR 3515 Access and Keys SUGGESTED TITLE CHANGE TO "SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY"

Resolution: Move to approve AR 3515 Access and Keys SUGGESTED TITLE CHANGE TO "SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY".

L. BP 3530 Risk Management

Resolution: Move to approve BP 3530 Risk Management.

M. AR 3530 Risk Management

Resolution: Move to approve AR 3530 Risk Management.

N. BP 3541.3 Non-Public School Students SUGGESTED TITLE CHANGE TO "NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TRANSPORTATION"

Resolution: Move to approve BP 3541.3 Non-Public School Students SUGGESTED TITLE CHANGE TO "NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TRANSPORTATION".

O. BP 3542 Roles and Duties of Employees SUGGESTED TITLE CHANGE TO "ROLES AND DUTIES OF BUS DRIVERS"

Resolution: Move to approve BP 3542 Roles and Duties of Employees SUGGESTED TITLE CHANGE TO "ROLES AND DUTIES OF BUS DRIVERS".

P. AR 5128 Alaska Performance Scholarship Program

Resolution: Move to approve AR 5128 Alaska Performance Scholarship Program.

Motion: Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-P.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Kelley Cizek.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Dianne MacRae, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell

13. Action Items

A. Action Items

There were none this evening.

14. First Reading of Policy Revisions

A. Review of Series 3000 Business & Instruction Support Operations

President Tauriainen called for public comment. There was none offered.
President Tauriainen called for Board comment. There was none offered.
The Board was provided a first reading of the Review of Series 3000 Business & Instruction Support Operations, and move to the November meeting for a second reading and action.

B. BB 9312 Board Bylaws

President Tauriainen called for public comment. There was none offered.
President Tauriainen called for Board comment. There was none offered.
The Board was provided a first reading of the BB 9312 Board Bylaws, and move to the November meeting for a second reading and action.

C. BB 9313 Administrative Regulations and Exhibits

President Tauriainen called for public comment. There was none offered.
President Tauriainen called for Board comment. There was none offered.
The Board was provided a first reading of the BB 9313 Administrative Regulations and Exhibits, and move to the November meeting for a second reading and action.

15. Public Presentations/Comments

A. Public Presentations/Comments Any Topic

President Tauriainen called for public comments.
Members of the public that offered comments:
Annahleah Karron
Kelly King

16. Board Comments

A. Board Comments

Ms. Vadla appreciated Information Services Director Soderquist. She congratulated Principal Bearden and Assistant Principal Bynagle. She welcomed the incoming Board members. She appreciated Kelly King's testimony this evening. She appreciated Career and College Coordinator Karron for her comments this evening. She appreciated the meeting and those in attendance.
Vice President Daugharty appreciated staff members. He noted several Homer area schools extra curricular highlights. He noted the upcoming topics like school consolidations, and negotiations all Board members should be aware of. He welcomed new members of the Board. He appreciated the Board for nominating him Vice President.
Ms. Truesdell appreciated the meeting this evening. She welcomed the incoming members. She appreciated the work sessions held earlier today. She appreciated Superintendent Holland's communications and petitions and letters of support. She expressed an interest in home grown programs for educators in the local area. She appreciated the meeting this evening. She appreciated Mr. Tauriainen being nominated as President.
Ms. Cizek appreciated the Soldotna Montessori's school report this evening. She expressed the importance of working with Charter School Applicants. She appreciated the student testimony this evening. She appreciated Principal Kvamme at Sterling Elementary. She appreciated all of those in attendance this evening.
Ms. MacRae commented on clothing donations for students.
Ms. Douthit appreciated educators. She noted the future funding challenges, consolidation discussions and goals of the Board and the work yet to be done this year. She appreciated the school report this evening. She welcomed the new Board members. She appreciated those who attended the meeting.
Miss Weathers appreciated the meeting this evening. She appreciated the school report this evening and the student presentation. She appreciated the student testimony this evening.
Ms. Waddell appreciated the warm welcomes and is looking forward to her service on the Board.
Ms. VanBuskirk appreciated the school report this evening. She appreciated the student testimony. She expressed excitement about serving on the Board and learning about the schools in her district.
President Tauriainen appreciated the school report this evening. He appreciated the student testimony this evening. He welcomed the new Board members. He spoke to upcoming items, negotiations, school consolidations and other big topics the Board is going to be working on in the near future. He appreciated the Board. He appreciated Superintendent Holland's comments of working on being more efficient. He appreciated the support of being nominated as President. He appreciated the attendance at the meeting this evening.

17. Executive Session

A. Executive Session if needed

There were none this evening.

18. Adjourn

A. Adjourn meeting

With business complete President Tauriainen adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.