Board of Education Special Meeting-Nikolaevsk Charter School Initial Application

November 17, 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 1:00 p.m.

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

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

C. District Mission Statement

Ms. Cizek read the district mission statement.

D. Roll Call

8 Board Members Present:
Board Member Cizek
Board Member Daugharty
Board Member Douthit
Board Member MacRae
Board Member Truesdell
Board Member Vadla(attended virtually)
Board Member VanBuskirk
Board Member Waddell (attended virtually)
1 Board Member Absent:
President Tauriainen
A quorum was established.
Others present:

Student Representative: Miss Shania Weathers
Superintendent Holland
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent

Planning and Operations Director Lyon

Human Resources Director Crabtree

Finance Director Voivedich

E. Approval of Agenda

Motion: Move to approve the November 17, 2025 Special 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, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen

2. Discussion: Nikolaevsk Charter School Initial Application

A. Nikolaevsk Charter School Initial Application

Vice President Daugharty called for Board discussion on the Nikolaevsk Charter School Initial Application, and asked the Board if they had any questions for the applicants.
Vice President Daugharty read the Administration's recommendation featured on the agenda today, and called on applicants to see if they'd like to address any points in Administration's recommendation.
APC members that provided comments:
Blake Sawyer, Nikolaevsk Charter School, APC President
Natalie Thomas, Nikolaevsk Charter School, APC Vice President
Vice President Daugharty called on Administration to speak to the recommendation.

Administration that provided information regarding Administration's recommendation:
Superintendent Holland
Vice President Daugharty called for any other comments from the APC, the Board or Administration.
APC Members that commented:
Mariah Kerrone
Director Voivedich posed a budgetary question to the applicants.
Natalie Thomas, APC Vice President provided comment.

Vice President Daugharty called for any further comments.

Seeing and hearing no further comments Vice President Daugharty closed discussion and comments.

3. Action Item

A. Nikolaevsk Charter School Initial application

Vice President Daugharty called for public comment on the Nikolaevsk Charter School Initial application.
There were none offered.
Seeing and hearing no requests to comment Vice President Daugharty closed public comment.
Motion: Move to approve the Nikolaevsk Charter School Initial application.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Patti Truesdell.

Vice President Daugharty called for Board comments on the motion.
Board Members that offered comments:
Member Truesdell
Member Cizek
Vice President Daugharty called on District Administration to provide information to Member Cizek's questions in regards to the Administration's recommendation.
Superintendent Holland provided information on Administration's recommendation.
Assistant Superintendent provided further background information regarding the application process.
Vice President Daugharty called for further Board comment on the motion:
Member Vadla spoke in opposition of approval.
Member Vanbuskirk spoke in support of approval.
Member Douthit spoke in opposition of approval.
Member MacRae spoke in support of approval.
Member Waddell spoke in opposition of approval.
Vice President Daugharty spoke in opposition of approval.
Vice President Daugharty read language from KPBSD BP 9323 Meeting Conduct.
Seeing and hearing no other Board requests to comment Vice President Daugharty called for a roll call vote.

Motion: Move to approve the Nikolaevsk Charter School Initial application.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Patti Truesdell.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Dianne MacRae, Patti Truesdell, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell

No: Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Penny Vadla

Not Present at Vote: Jason Tauriainen

4. Adjourn

A. Adjourn Meeting

Seeing that business was complete Vice President Daugharty adjourned the Special meeting at 1:58 p.m.