Board of Education Meeting

December 1, 2025

Meeting Minutes-APPROVED (01-12-2026)

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

President Tauriainen 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. 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

Move to approve the December 1, 2025 Regular Business Meeting agenda as presented.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Dianne MacRae.

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 none this evening.

3. School Reports

A. School Reports

There were none this evening.

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 Taurianinen called for student presentations and comments.
Students who offered comments:
Samuel Graham from the Soldotna High School assemblies committee
Seeing and hearing no further requests for comment from students, 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 presentations and comments on items not on the agenda:
Members of the public who provided comments were:
Lori Draper
Paul Marks
Robanne Stading
Ben Bolgart
Tara Swanson
Seeing and hearing no further requests to comment President Tauriainen closed public comments.

7. Hearing of Delegations

A. Hearing of Delegations

There were none this evening.

8. Communications and Petitions

A. Superintendent Communications & 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:
Susanna Litwiniak, KPESA President
Rebecca Walker, KPEA President
Sarge Truesdell, KPB Assembly Member

10. Superintendent's Report

A. Superintendent's Report

Superintendent Holland provided the Superintendent's report.

11. Reports

A. October Finance Reports 2025-12-1

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

B. Board Reports

Ms. Douthit attended a Veteran's day celebration at Mt. View, Education task force meetings in Kenai, a Commonwealth North Forum, the AASB Conference, the Special Meeting, a consolidation task force meeting and volunteered at KCHS, and Mt. View Elementary.
Ms. Vadla attended a Board of Directors meeting, and the AASB Conference.
Ms. Truesdell attended two Veteran's day events at K-Beach and at Mt. View.
Mr. Daugharty attended Homer High site council, met with the Mayor of Homer, attended a pools meeting of the local community, attended a Homer after school program, and language arts training. He attended the Special Meeting, and district union negotiations.
Ms. MacRae attended the mock assembly meeting with Soldotna elementary students.
Ms. VanBuskirk attended a Seward site council meeting, a Seward advocate meeting, and the Special meeting.
Mr. Tauriainen attended a meeting with Superintendent Holland, and visited Nikiski North Star.

C. Committee Reports

Member Cizek, chair of the Policy Review Committee, provided the December 1, 2025 Policy Review Committee meeting report.
Member Douthit, chair of the Finance Committee, provided the December 1, 2025 Finance Committee meeting report.

D. Board Work Session Report

President Tauriainen reported that the Board held work sessions for the following:
College and Career Readiness
Legislative Priorities
Pool Operations Update
School Consolidation Update
Board Discussion
President Tauriainen reported that all members in attendance at the meeting attended the work sessions.

12. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of 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.
Agenda item 12F was removed from the consent agenda by Ms. Vanbuskirk.
President Tauriainen called a brief at ease at 7:10 p.m.
President Tauriainen reconvened the meeting at 7:16 p.m.

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

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

C. 2025-26 New Teacher Contract(s)

D. BP 4158 Employee Security

E. BP 5111 Admission

G. Leave of Absence Request/Certified

H. November 3, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes

I. November 3, 2025 Business Meeting Minutes

J. November 17, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes

Motion by Jason Tauriainen, second by Sarah Douthit.

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 Miss Shania Weathers advisory vote: Yes

F. BP 6151 Class Size

After the approval of the consent agenda items President Tauriainen returned to item 12F. BP 6151 Class Size.

President Tauriainen called for public comment.

There was none offered.

MOTION: Move to approve BP 6151 Class Size.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Mica VanBuskirk.

President Tauriainen called for Board Comment.
Members who provided comment:
Ms. Vanbuskirk
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent provided clarification.
Seeing and hearing no other requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board Comment.

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 Miss Shania Weathers advisory vote: Yes

13. Action Items

A. Outside Agency Personnel Approval

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the action item.
There were 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 Patti Truesdell, second by Sarah Douthit.

President Tauriainen called for Board comment.
Board members that offered comments:
Member Cizek
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent provided clarification.

Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board comments.

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 Miss Shania Weathers advisory vote: Yes

B. Revised 2026 Legislative Priorities

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the action item.
There were none offered.
MOTION: Move to approve the KPBSD 2026 Legislative Priorities.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Patti Truesdell.

President Tauriainen called for Board comment.
Board members that offered comments:

Ms. Truesdell

Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board comments.

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 Miss Shania Weathers advisory vote: Yes

C. Updated 403(b) and 457(b) Adoption Agreements

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the action item.
There were none offered.
MOTION: Move to approve the Updated 403(b) and 457(b) Adoption Agreements.

President Tauriainen called for Board comment.
Board members that offered comments:
Ms. Cizek
Finance Director Voivedich provided clarification.

Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board comments.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, 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

Student Representative Miss Shania Weathers advisory vote: Yes

14. First Reading of Policy Revisions

A. First Reading of Policy Revisions

There were no first readings of Board policy revisions this evening.

15. Public Presentations/Comments

A. Public Presentations/Comments Any Topic

President Tauriainen called for public comment on any topic.
Members of the public that provided comments were:
Susanna Litwiniak
Charity Lehman
Lucas Scott
Katy Journey
Winter Marshall-Allen

16. Board Comments

A. Board Comments

Ms. Cizek appreciated those who attended the meeting. She noted the beginning discussions regarding the budget and the early consolidation discussions. She appreciated the comments and testimony this evening.
Mr. Daugharty appreciated the city officials that attended the initial discussions on the pools and school consolidations. He is also hopeful to continue the early discussions of school consolidations and the budget. He encouraged members and the public to attend the school holiday events. He again encouraged both the Board and community to be proactive with the budget process and decision making.
Ms. Douthit appreciated the feedback today and this evening regarding the budget and school consolidation discussions. She appreciated the attendance at the meetings.
Ms. MacRae appreciated the attendance at the meeting and the testimony this evening in particular those from the Seward area and community.
Ms. Truesdell appreciated the work sessions held earlier today and the meeting this evening. She appreciated the budget discussions held throughout the day and encouraged everyone to work together towards strong schools.
Ms. Vadla appreciated the work sessions held earlier today. She appreciated Coordinator Annaleah Karron. She encouraged legislative advocacy from everyone to provide testimony to the state this upcoming legislative season. She appreciated the attendance at the meeting this evening.
Ms. Vanbuskirk encouraged the public to listen to the consolidation work session that was held earlier today. She was excited about beginning these discussions early.
Ms. Waddell expressed condolences.
Miss Weathers appreciated the discussions held today and appreciated the students that gave testimony this evening.
Mr. Tauriainen expressed condolences as well. He appreciated the meeting this evening.

17. Executive Session

A. Executive Session if needed

There were none this evening.

18. Adjourn

A. Adjourn meeting

Seeing that business was complete, President Tauriainen adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.