Board of Education Meeting

January 12, 2026

Meeting Minutes-Approved (02-02-2026)

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 6:05 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

8 Board Members Present:
Board Member Cizek
Board Member Daugharty
Board Member Douthit
Board Member Truesdell
Board Member Vadla
Board Member VanBuskirk
Board Member Waddell
Board President Tauriainen
Student Representative: Miss Shania Weathers

Board Members Absent:

Board Member MacRae (Excused)

A quorum was established.
Others Present were:
Superintendent Holland
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent
Finance Director Voivedich
Elementary & Secondary Education Director Graham
Student Support Services Director Kelly

E. Approval of Agenda

Move to approve the January 12, 2026 Regular Business Meeting agenda as presented.

Motion by Patti Truesdell, second by Sarah Douthit.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Dianne MacRae

2. Awards and Presentations

A. Awards and Presentations

There were none this evening.

3. School Reports

A. Mountain View Elementary, Ms. Hannah Dolphin

Principal Dolphin and Assistant Principal Ellis provided the Mountain View Elementary report to the Board including a student performance.
Board Members that provided comments:
Board Member Vadla
Student Representative Miss Weathers
Board Member Douthit
Superintendent Holland
Board Member Truesdell
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent
Board President Tauriainen

B. Redoubt Elementary, Mr. Scott Lefebvre

Principal Lefebvre provided the Redoubt Elementary Report to the Board with students presenting as well.
Board Members that offered comments:
Board Member Vadla
Board Member Truesdell
Board President Tauriainen
Student Representative Miss Weathers
Superintendent Holland
Board President Tauriainen

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:
Cami Kincaid, and the Soldotna High School Community Outreach Committee
Seeing and hearing no further requests for comment from students, President Tauriainen closed student presentations and comments.
President Tauriainen called a brief recess at 7:02 p.m.
President Tauriainen reconvened the meeting at 7:10 p.m.

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:
Paul Marks
Ken Castner
Christy Jordan
Seeing and hearing no further requests to comment President Tauriainen closed public comments.

7. Hearing of Delegations

A. Hearing of Delegations

There were none scheduled this evening.

8. Communications and Petitions

A. Mr. Holland

Superintendent Holland provided Communications and Petitions from the previous month.

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
Benjamin Bohart, PTA President Seward
Seeing and hearing no further requests to comments from the listed organizations President Tauriainen closed Speakers comments.

10. Superintendent's Report

A. Superintendent's Report

Superintendent Holland provided the Superintendent's report.

11. Reports

A. November Finance Reports 2026-1-12

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

B. Second Quarter Budget Transfer Report 2026-1-12

President Tauriainen called for the Second Quarter Budget Transfer Report.
Finance Director Voivedich provided the Second Quarter Budget Transfer Report.
President Tauriainen called for any Board questions or comments.
There were none offered.

C. Board Reports

Ms. Cizek visited Sterling Elementary and attended a site council meeting and a Skyview staff Christmas party.
Ms. Truesdell visited Sterling Elementary, and attended Education Rising, a K-Beach Christmas program and Soldotna Elementary Christmas program.
Mr. Daugharty attended a Homer High site council meeting, several union negotiations meetings this month, he refereed an elementary basketball game at West Homer, attended a Paul Banks PTO meeting, toured West Homer facilities, and attended a small consolidation meeting in Homer.
Ms. VanBuskirk attended a coalition meeting, an AVTEC meeting with Coordinator Karron, a small consolidation meeting in the Seward area, and a Seward PTA meeting.
Mr. Tauriainen attended a Borough event, refereed and attended an alumni game at Nikiski Middle High School, visited Nikiski North Star, met with the Mayor and held his routine meeting with Superintendent Holland.
Ms. Waddell met with small groups and individuals about consolidation.

D. Committee Reports

Vice President Daugharty, chair of the charter school oversight committee, provided the January 12, 2026 charter school oversight committee meeting report.
Member Cizek, chair of the policy review committee, provided the January 12, 2026 policy review committee meeting report.

E. Board Work Session Report

President Tauriainen reported that the Board held work session for the following and gave a brief summary:
Meeting Protocols & Questions
Board Policy Review
Class Size Report, Enrollment & PTR
Finance Work Session
AASB Legislative Fly-In Attendance & Budget
Discussion with State Legislators
President Tauriainen reported that all members present at the business meeting this evening 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.
President Tauriainen closed public comments for the consent agenda items.

MOTION: Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-F.

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-F.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Penny Vadla.

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

C. 2025-26 New Teacher Contract(s)

D. December 1, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes

E. December 1, 2025 Business Meeting Minutes

F. Leave of Absence Request/Certified

MOTION: Move to approve Consent Agenda items 12 B-F.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Student Representative Miss Weathers Advisory Vote: Yes

Not Present at Vote: Dianne MacRae

13. Action Items

A. FY26 General Fund Budget Revisions

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the FY26 General Fund Budget Revisions action item.
There were none offered.
President Tauriainen closed public comment on the action item.

MOTION: Move to approve the FY26 General Fund Budget Revisions.

Motion by Patti Truesdell, second by Sarah Douthit.

President Tauriainen called for Board comment.
Board members that offered comments:
Member Vanbuskirk
Finance Director Voivedich
Member Douthit
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, Jason Tauriainen, Patti Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell

Student Representative Miss Weathers Advisory Vote: Yes
Not Present at Vote: Dianne MacRae

14. First Reading of Policy Revisions

A. First Reading of Policy Revisions

There are no first readings of policy revisions this evening.

15. Public Presentations/Comments

A. Public Presentations/Comments Any Topic

President Tauriainen called for public comment on any topic.
There were no comments offered.
Seeing and hearing no requests for public comment, President Tauriainen closed public comments.

16. Board Comments

A. Board Comments

Ms. Vanbuskirk appreciated the students who presented, performed and testified during the meeting this evening. She appreciated Mr. Bohart's testimony this evening.
Mr. Daugharty noted the deficit the district is facing again this year, but appreciated the work session with the state legislators. He encouraged advocacy during this budget cycle.
Ms. Vadla appreciated Superintendent's report this evening. She appreciated the school board reports. She appreciated the attendance at the meeting this evening.
Ms. Waddell expressed appreciation.
Ms. Douthit appreciated the ABC amendment application coming forward in committee today. She appreciated the discussion with the state legislators, in particular enrollment. She appreciated being at the dais and being a board member and reminisced of when she thought about becoming a board member. She expressed excitement for the new year.
Ms. Truesdell appreciated the school reports and the student performances and presentations. She appreciated teachers and staff. She appreciated the attendance at the meeting this evening. She appreciated the work session with discussions with the state legislators.
Miss Weathers appreciated the attendance on the meeting this evening. She appreciated student voice and the school board reports with the student performances and presentations.
Mr. Tauriainen appreciated the state legislators attending the work session this afternoon. He appreciated the school reports this evening. He appreciated the KPB Borough Assembly and Mayor. He noted the quarterly work sessions tomorrow. He appreciated the attendance on the meeting this evening.

17. Executive Session

A. Executive Session if needed

There were no executive sessions held this evening.

18. Adjourn

A. Adjourn meeting

Seeing that business was complete, President Tauriainen adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m.