Board of Education Meeting

November 3, 2025

Meeting Minutes-APPROVED (12-01-2025)

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

Vice President Daugharty called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

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

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

C. District Mission Statement

Ms. Truesdell 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 (attended virtually)
Student Representative: Miss Shania Weathers
A quorum was established.
Others Present:
Superintendent Holland
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent
Finance Director Voivedich

Human Resources Director Crabtree

E. Approval of Agenda

Motion: Move to approve the November 3, 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. October 20, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes

Motion: Move to approve the October 20, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes.

Motion by Penny Vadla, 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. October 20, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Motion: Move to approve the October 20, 2025 Business Meeting Minutes.

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

2. Awards and Presentations

A. Awards and Presentations

There were no awards this evening.

3. School Reports

A. Sterling Elementary School, Ms. Elizabeth Kvamme

Principal Elizabeth Kvamme provided the Sterling Elementary school report to the Board.
Board Members that appreciated the school report:
Vice President Daugharty
Ms. Vadla
Miss Weathers, Student Representative
Ms. Truesdell
Ms. Waddell

B. Tustumena Elementary School, Ms. Devin Way

Principal Devin Way provided the Tustumena School Report to the Board.
Board Members that appreciated the school report:
Ms. Truesdell
Ms. Vadla
Vice President Daugharty

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)

Vice President Daugharty called for student comments on any topic.
Students that provided comments:
Rowen Peck, Soldotna High School Social Media Committee Member
Vice President Daugharty called a brief at ease at 6:44 p.m.
Vice President Daugharty called the meeting back to order at 6:50 p.m. and called for the continuation of student comments.
Vice President Daugharty limited student comment to 2:00 minutes per speaker with no objection from the Board.
Students that provided comments:
Taylor Fallon
Keegan Guthrie
Iris Hale
Stefany Montague
Elijah Kendrick
Seeing and hearing no other student requests to comment, Vice President Daugharty closed Student Presentations and Comments.

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

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

Vice President Daugharty called for public comments for items not on the agenda.
There were no comments offered.
Seeing and hearing no requests to comment on items not on the agenda, Vice President Daugharty closed Public Presentations/Comments.

7. Hearing of Delegations

A. Hearing of Delegations

There were no Hearing of Delegations scheduled this evening.

8. Communications and Petitions

A. Superintendent Holland

There were none offered 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

Vice President Daugharty called for comments from representatives from the listed organizations.
The following representatives offered comments:
Rebecca Walker, KPEA President
Emma Key, KPESA Treasurer
Seeing and hearing no other requests to comment, Vice President Daugharty closed Speakers/Representatives comments.

10. Superintendent's Report

A. Superintendent Holland

Superintendent Holland provided the Superintendent's report.

11. Reports

A. First Quarter Budget Transfer Report 2025-11-3

Vice President Daugharty called for the Finance Reports.
Finance Director Voivedich provided the First Quarter Budget Transfer Report.
Vice President Daugharty called for any Board questions or comments.
Superintendent Holland commented on the Annual Financial and Audit Report work session held earlier in the day.

There were no other comments offered.

B. Board Reports

Ms. Douthit attended a CTE fall meeting, visited KCHS, attended a Killing Cancer volleyball game, breakfast at Kenai Alternative, listened to the Education Task Force meeting in Juneau, and attended a costume parade at Mt. View.
Ms. Truesdell attended a Jazz Band performance at K-Beach and visited Soldotna Elementary.
Ms. Vadla visited the Borough Building on Halloween.
Ms. VanBuskirk attended a Youth 360, Alaska Schools Retreat, and listened to the Education Task Force Meeting.
Mr. Daugharty attended several KPEA and KPESA negotiation meetings, CTE reports, a spark event at local recreation center in Homer, Parent teacher conferences and visited Homer area schools.

C. Committee Reports

There were no Board committee reports this evening.

D. Board Work Session Report

Vice President Daugharty reported that the Board held work sessions for the following:
Aurora Borealis Charter School Amendment Application
Nikolaevsk Charter School Initial Application
College and Career Readiness
Annual Financial and Audit Report
Board Discussion
Vice President Daugharty reported that all members in attendance at the meeting this evening attended the work sessions.

12. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Consent Agenda

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

C. Board of Education Committee Assignments 2025-2026

D. Budget Transfers over $50,000 2025-11-3

E. BB 9312 Board Bylaws

F. BB 9313 Administrative Regulations and Exhibits

G. Exhibit 9322 Order of Business

H. Resolution 25-26-2 Gaming Permits - Designating Primary & Alternate Members 2025-11-3

I. Review of Series 3000 Business & Instruction Support Operations

After listing the consent agenda items Vice President Daugharty called for public comment.

Seeing and hearing no requests to comment Vice President Daugharty called for a roll call vote for the consent agenda.

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

Motion by Penny Vadla, 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

Student Representative Vote, Miss Weathers: Yes

13. Action Items

A. Soldotna Montessori Charter School Renewal Application

Vice President Daugharty called for public comment on the Soldotna Montessori Charter School Renewal Application.

There was no public comment offered.

Seeing and hearing no requests to comment from the public Vice President Daugharty closed public comment.

Motion: Move to approve the Soldotna Montessori Charter School Renewal Application for a 10 year term.

Motion by Sarah Douthit, second by Patti Truesdell.

Vice President Daugharty called for Board comment on the motion.

Board Members that provided comment:
Ms. Truesdell commented in support.
Ms. Vadla commented in support.

Seeing and hearing no other requests to comment from the Board Vice President Daugharty called for a roll call vote on the motion.

Motion Carried

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

Student Representative Vote, Miss Weathers: Yes

B. Aurora Borealis Charter School Amendment Application

Vice President Daugharty called for public comment on the Aurora Borealis Charter School Amendment Application.

Vice President Daugharty limited the time to speak to 2:00 minutes per speaker with no Board objections.

Members of the public that provided testimony on the Aurora Borealis Charter School Amendment Application:
Erin Henry in support of approval.
Mitch Miller in support of approval.
Gabrien Kisler in support of approval.
Reagan Beeson, student, in support of approval.
Laura Beeson in support of approval.
Lynx Robertia, student, in support of approval.
Ryan Colbertson in support of approval.
Elizabeth Chilson in opposition of approval.
Annette Weigle in opposition of approval.
Bill Elam in support of approval.
Colleen Roberta in support of approval.
Shelby Oden in support of approval.
Reann Nye in opposition of approval.
Bryan Beeson in support of approval.
Jamie Miller in support of approval.
Daniel Mehr in support of approval.
Michele McGuire in support of approval.
John Galahan in opposition of approval.
Seeing and hearing no other requests to comment from the public Vice President Daugharty closed public comment.

Main Motion: Move to approve the Aurora Borealis Charter School Amendment Application.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Mica VanBuskirk.

Vice President Daugharty called for Board Comment on the motion.
Board Members that provided comments:
Member VanBuskirk
President Tauriainen
Member Vadla in opposition.
Member Truesdell

Motion to Amend: Move to amend the motion of the approval of the ABC Amendment Application to approve a one-year term for the 2026-2027 school year and sunset on May 30, 2027.

Motion by Sarah Douthit, second by Patti Truesdell.

Vice President Daugharty called for comments on the amendment to the main motion.

Board Members that commented on the amendment:
Member Douthit in support.
Member Cizek in opposition.
Mr. Daugharty called a brief at ease at 8:25 p.m. to clarify proper procedures.
Mr. Daugharty reconvened the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Vice President Daugharty called for Board comment to resume on the motion to amend.

Board Members that offered comments on the amendment:
Assistant Superintendent clarified the APC's position on the proposed amendment to the Board.
Member Waddell in opposition.
Member Douthit in support.
Member Vadla in opposition.
President Tauriainen in opposition.

Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment on the amendment motion Vice President Daugharty called for a roll call vote.

Motion to Amend Failed

Yes: Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit

No: Kelley Cizek, Dianne MacRae, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell

Vice President Daugharty referred the Board back to the main motion on the floor for further comments by the Board.

Board Members who offered further comments on the main motion:

Member Cizek in support.
President Tauriainen
Member Waddell
Member Vadla

Member VanBuskirk
Superintendent Holland
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent
Vice President Daugharty in opposition.

Motion to Postpone: Move to postpone the Aurora Borealis Charter School Amendment Application to the November 17, 2025 Meeting.

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Mica VanBuskirk.

Board members that offered comments on the motion to postpone the Aurora Borealis Charter School Amendment Application:

President Tauriainen in support.
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent requested clarification.
Member Vadla
Member Cizek in support.
Member Douthit in opposition.
Member Waddell in opposition.
Member MacRae in support.
Superintendent Holland in opposition.

Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment on the motion to postpone Vice President Daugharty called for a roll call vote.

Motion to Postpone Failed

Yes: Dianne MacRae

No: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell

Vice President Daugharty referred the Board back to the main motion on the floor for any further comments by the Board.

Seeing and hearing no further requests to comment Vice President Daugharty called for a roll call vote on the main motion.

Main Motion: Move to approve the Aurora Borealis Charter School Amendment Application.

Motion Failed

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Dianne MacRae, Mica VanBuskirk

No: Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Ash-Lee Waddell

C. Student Nutrition Paid Meal Price Increase

Vice President Daugharty called a brief at ease at 9:05 p.m.
Vice President Daugharty called the meeting back to order at 9:10 p.m.

Vice President Daugharty called for public comment on the Student Nutrition Paid Meal Price Increase.
Members of the public that offered comment:
Winter Marshall Allen
Director of Planning and Operations Kevin Lyon

Seeing and hearing no further requests to comment Vice President Daugharty closed public comment.

Motion: Move to approve the requested meal prices increase for Elementary Lunch: Increase by $0.10, from $3.50 to $3.60, Adult Breakfast: Increase from $3.00 to $5.50 and Adult Lunch: Increase from $5.50 to $8.00.

Motion by Mica VanBuskirk, second by Penny Vadla.

Vice President Daugharty called for Board comments on the motion.

Board Members that offered comments:
Member Cizek
Member Vadla

Seeing and hearing no other Board requests to comment Vice President Daugharty called for a roll call vote.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Student Representative Vote, Miss Weathers: Yes

14. First Reading of Policy Revisions

First Reading of Board Policy: A. BP 6151 Class Size

Vice President Daugharty called for public comment. There was none offered.
Vice President Daugharty called for Board comment. There was none offered.
The Board was provided a first reading of the BP 6151 Class Size, and this Board Policy was moved to the December meeting for a second reading and action.

First Reading of Board Policy: B. BP 5111 Admission

Vice President Daugharty called for public comment. There was none offered.
Vice President Daugharty called for Board comment. There was none offered.
The Board was provided a first reading of the BP 5111 Admission, and this Board Policy was moved to the December meeting for a second reading and action.

First Reading of Board Policy: C. BP 4158 Employee Security

Vice President Daugharty called for public comment. There was none offered.
Vice President Daugharty called for Board comment. There was none offered.
The Board was provided a first reading of the BP 4158 Employee Security, and this Board Policy was moved to the December meeting for a second reading and action.

15. Public Presentations/Comments

A. Public Presentations/Comments Any Topic

Vice President Daugharty called for public comments.
Members of the public that provided comments:
Winter Marshall-Allen
Seeing and hearing no other requests to comment Vice President Daugharty closed public comments.

16. Board Comments

A. Board Comments

Ms. Truesdell appreciated the meeting this evening. She appreciated the CTE Work Session held earlier today. She appreciated the school reports. She appreciated both ABC and Kenai Alt schools and those who testified this evening.
Ms. Waddell appreciated the KPEA and KPESA representative comments this evening. She appreciated the Kenai Alternative students that provided testimony this evening.
Ms. Cizek appreciated the attendance at the meeting this evening.
Ms. VanBuskirk appreciated the ABC and Kenai Alt schools for attending the meeting this evening.
Ms. MacRae expressed that options are important and appreciated ABC.
Ms. Vadla appreciated the CTE work session held earlier today. She appreciated the student testimony this evening. She appreciated the school reports this evening. She appreciated the attendance at the meeting this evening.
Ms. Douthit restated the district mission statement and that she supports this mission. She appreciated the attendance at the meeting this evening.
Mr. Tauriainen appreciated patience and continuing work on the solutions of for the district issues. He appreciated the testimony and the support this evening.
Mr. Daugharty appreciated the difficulty of the decisions of the Board. He appreciated the passion of those in the room and attending the meeting this evening. He appreciated Ms. Sipes. He appreciated those in the audience this evening.

17. Executive Session

A. Executive Session if needed

There was no executive session this evening.

18. Adjourn

A. Adjourn meeting

With business complete Vice President Daugharty adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p.m.