Board of Education Meeting

May 4, 2026

Meeting Minutes-Approved (06-01-2026)

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Meeting Location:

Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers

144 N. Binkley Street

Soldotna Alaska

Zoom ID: 708 024 188 https://zoom.us/j/708024188

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

President Tauriainen called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

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

The K-Beach Elementary students lead the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

C. District Mission Statement

Ms. Vadla read the district mission statement.

D. Roll Call

8 Board Members Present:
Board Member Cizek
Vice President Daugharty
Board Member Douthit
Board Member MacRae
Board Member Vadla
Board Member VanBuskirk
Board Member Waddell
President Tauriainen
Student Representative, Miss Shania Weathers
Board Members Absent:
Board Member Truesdell
A quorum was established.
Others present were:
Superintendent Holland
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent
Human Resources Executive Director Crabtree
Finance Director Voivedich

Elementary & Secondary Education Director Graham

Information Services Director Soderquist
Student Support Services Director Kelly

E. Approval of Agenda

MOTION: Move to approve the May 4, 2026 Regular Business Meeting agenda as presented.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Patti Truesdell

2. Awards and Presentations

A. Student Representative, Miss Shania Weathers

Miss Shania Weathers was recognized for her service as the Student Representative on the Board this year.

3. School Reports

A. Homer Middle School, Ms. Meghan Redmond

Principal Redmond provided the Homer Middle School Report to the Board.
Board Members that offered comments and appreciated the report were:
Ms. Waddell
Miss Weathers
Ms. Vadla
Mr. Daugharty
Superintendent Holland
President Tauriainen

B. K-Beach Elementary School, Ms. Janae Van Slyke

Principal Van Slyke provided the K-Beach Elementary School Report to the Board with the assistance of students.
Board Members that offered comments and appreciated the report were:
Ms. Waddell
Miss Weathers
Ms. Vadla
Superintendent Holland
President Tauriainen
President Tauriainen called a brief at ease at 6:42 p.m.
President Tauriainen reconvened the meeting at 6:46 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 presentations and comments on any topic.
Students who offered comments:
Brayden Barber provided comments on River City Academy.
Morgan Hooper provided comments on the Nikiski Middle High School music program.
Jackson Hooper provided comments on the Nikiski Middle High School music program.
Malachi Jordan provided comments on the Nikiski Middle High School music program.
Eden Nightingale provided comments on the Nikiski Middle High School music program.
Kaelynn Hensley provided comments on the Kenai Alternative school and River City Academy closure.
Seeing and hearing no further requests for comment from students, President Tauriainen closed student presentations and comments.
President Tauriainen called a brief at ease at 7:04 p.m.
President Tauriainen reconvened the meeting at 7:06 p.m.

6. Public Comments (Items not on the agenda)

A. Public Comments (Items not on the agenda)
President Tauriainen clarified speaking on agenda item 11C and non agenda items.
President Tauriainen called for public comments on items not on the agenda.
Members of the public who provided comments were:
Linnea Wuest provided comments on negotiations.
Catherine Mendenhall provided comments on negotiations.
Lisa Bass provided comments on River City Academy.
Paul Marks provided comments on negotiations.
Lauren Dial provided comments on negotiations.
Robanne Stading provided comments on negotiations and the Homer community choir.
Erin Pearce provided comments on negotiations.
Heidi Geagel provided comments on previous budget reductions and guidance counselors.
Jenn Haugh provided comments on negotiations and staffing.
Seeing that the 30 minute aggregate for comments was met President Tauriainen closed public comments and noted that there is a second time for public comments on agenda item 12A.
President Tauriainen called a brief at ease at 7:40 p.m.
President Tauriainen reconvened the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

7. Agency and Association Reports

A. Agency and Association Reports-3 minutes per report

President Tauriainen called for reports from agencies and associations.
Those that offered to speak were:
Rebecca Walker, KPEA President
Seeing and hearing no further request to comment from representatives from agencies and associations, President Tauriainen closed Agency and Association reports.

8. Superintendent's Report

A. Superintendent Holland

Superintendent Holland provided the Superintendent's Report.

9. Reports

A. March Finance Reports 2026-5-4

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

B. Third Quarter Budget Transfer Report 2026-5-4

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

C. Board Reports

Ms. Cizek visited Aurora Borealis Charter School, Tulen Charter School, and Kaleidoscope Charter School. She also attended a Skyview site council meeting.
Ms. Douthit attended a spring CTE meeting.
Ms. Vadla attended a virtual AASB Board of Directors meeting, and visited Kenai Alternative School.
Ms. VanBuskirk provided a Board update to the Seward city council, attended the KPB Assembly meeting in Seward, a Seward site council, a CTE meeting, a meeting with AVTEC and attended a Seward PTA meeting.
Mr. Daugharty attended various negotiations meetings virtually, a KPSAA meeting, the OPUS string festival in Homer, a Homer Middle School site council meeting, and he attended a Mozart requiem in Homer.
Ms. Waddell attended PAC meetings for Port Graham, Nanwalek and Seldovia. She also attended the Mozart requiem in Homer.
Mr. Tauriainen attended the Nikiski Middle High School principal interviews, and visited Nikiski Middle High School, and Nikiski North Star.

D. Committee Reports

There were no committee reports this evening.

E. Board Work Session Report

President Tauriainen reported that earlier today the board held work sessions for:
Budget Update
Planet Youth Homer Data Presentation
Six Year Plan
KPSAA Handbook Review
Legislative Update
Board Discussion
President Tauriainen reported that all Board members at the meeting this evening attended the work sessions.

10. 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.

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

C. 2026-27 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s)

D. 2026-27 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s) and Tenure

E. BP 4112.1 Contracts SUGESSTED TITLE CHANGE TO "Certificated Personnel and Management and Supervisory Personnel Contracts" (First Reading)

F. BP 4112.6/4212.6/4312.6 Personnel Records (First Reading)

G. BP 4313.2 Promotion/Demotion/Reclassification SUGGESTED TITLE CHANGE TO "Management and Supervisory Personnel Promotion/Demotion/Reclassification" (First Reading)

H. BB 9223 Filling Board Vacancies (First Reading)

I. BB 9320 Meetings (First Reading)

J. Budget Transfers over $50,000 2026-5-4

K. April 6, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes

L. April 6, 2026 Business Meeting Minutes

M. Leave of Absence Request/Certified

MOTION: Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-M.

Motion by Ash-Lee Waddell, second by Penny Vadla.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Patti Truesdell

Yes: Miss Shania Weathers, Student Representative

11. Action Items

A. Marathon Grade Configuration Change

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the Marathon Grade Configuration Change action item.
Seeing and hearing that there were no requests to comment on the action item President Tauriainen closed public comment.
MOTION: Move to approve the Marathon Grade Configuration Change.

Motion by Ash-Lee Waddell, second by Kelley Cizek.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the Marathon Grade Configuration Change.
Seeing and hearing no Board requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board comments. Seeing and hearing no opposition to the approval of the Marathon Grade Configuration Change the motion passed.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Patti Truesdell

Yes: Miss Shania Weathers, Student Representative

B. Tulen Charter School Grade Configuration Change

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the Tulen Charter School Grade Configuration Change action item.
Seeing that there were no requests to comment on the action item President Tauriainen closed public comment.
MOTION: Move to approve the Tulen Charter School Grade Configuration Change.

Motion by Ash-Lee Waddell, second by Penny Vadla.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the Tulen Charter School Grade Configuration Change.
Seeing and hearing no Board requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board comments. Seeing and hearing no opposition to the approval of the Tulen Charter School Grade Configuration Change the motion passed.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Patti Truesdell

Yes: Miss Shania Weathers, Student Representative

C. LAYDOWN Healthcare Memorandum of Agreement

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the LAYDOWN Healthcare Memorandum of Agreement action item.
Members of the public that offered comments were:
Paul Marks
David Brighton
Seeing that there were no further requests to comment on the action item President Tauriainen closed public comment.
MOTION: Move to approve the Memorandum of Agreement tentatively agreed to by the District, KPEA, and KPESA bargaining teams on April 30, 2026, contingent upon KPEA and KPESA ratification by May 8, 2026.

Motion by Ash-Lee Waddell, second by Sarah Douthit.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the LAYDOWN Healthcare Memorandum of Agreement.
Board Members who offered comments were:
President Tauriainen
Superintendent Holland

Seeing that there were no further Board requests to comment on the action item President Tauriainen closed Board comments and called for a roll call vote on the action item.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Patti Truesdell

Yes: Miss Shania Weathers, Student Representative

12. Public Comments (Any Topic)

A. Public Comments (Any Topic)

President Tauriainen called for public comment on any topic.
Members of the public who offered comments were:
Debbie Speakman provided comments on library aides.
Dylan Hooper provided comments on programmatic staffing.
David Brighton provided comments on healthcare and negotiations.
Zen Kelly provided comments on the student testimony this evening, the budget and budget reductions.
Brian Krauklis provided comments on negotiations.
Kyle Schneider provided comments on the Mozart requiem that took place in Homer.
Winter Marshall-Allen provided comments on special education budget reductions and negotiations.
Rebecca Hinsburger provided comments on community library books and history books.
Liza Spencer read a letter to the Board regarding library aides.
Seeing and hearing no further requests to comment President Tauriainen closed public comments on any topic.

13. Board Comments and Administration Comments

A. Board and Administration Comments

Ms. Waddell did not offer any closing comments this evening.

Ms. Cizek expressed appreciation for the school reports presented this evening. She noted her surprise at the high turnout in attendance. She discussed the length and difficulty of the negotiations process, particularly as it has coincided with challenging budget decisions and the shifting of costs from the state to the Borough. She explained that even with budget reductions, including school closures, the district would still face a shortfall of millions of dollars under the current negotiation proposals. She also referenced the Mayor’s comments regarding anticipated reductions in district revenue for upcoming fiscal years. Drawing from personal experience, she spoke about the impact of increases to minimum wage. She concluded by thanking those who attended.

Ms. VanBuskirk appreciated the school reports and student testimony this evening. She emphasized that both she and the Board value teachers and staff. She clarified that the Board and District do not control district revenue and that negotiations are ongoing, requiring effort from all parties involved. She noted that decision-making is shared and part of a two-way negotiation process. She expressed her desire to restore various staffing positions if funding increases, while acknowledging that no final funding decisions have been made by the Borough or the state. She stated that the Board is working to balance multiple variables and that Administration is seeking compromise solutions. She encouraged advocacy at both the Borough and state legislative levels and called for collaborative efforts to find solutions.

Ms. MacRae spoke to books and curriculum.

Vice President Daugharty shared his perspective based on his experience in education. He expressed feeling overwhelmed by the number of staff members in attendance and those who testified. He stated that, due to his involvement in mediation, he is unable to discuss details of those proceedings. He voiced opposition to the most recent resolution passed by the Board. He encouraged all parties to work together toward common goals. He thanked those who attended.

Ms. Vadla expressed appreciation for the teachers and support staff who attended and for the testimony provided. She also appreciated the work sessions held earlier in the day. She encouraged continued advocacy to the state legislature. She recognized the celebrations and acknowledgments shared in Superintendent Holland’s report and again thanked those who testified.

Ms. Douthit noted once more that KPBSD does not control its funding and referenced both the preliminary budget and various budget scenarios the finance committee worked through. She shared that her focus has been on the impact of these decisions on students, teachers, and support staff, noting that these issues also affect her personally and her own children. She emphasized that staff and teachers are valued and expressed appreciation for the school reports and all those in attendance.
Miss Weathers expressed appreciation for the student testimonies, noting their meaningful impact. She shared that the experience broadened her perspective on the district and encouraged others to get involved by running for student representative positions and supporting their district.
Superintendent Holland thanked those who presented school reports and highlighted assessment testing attendance across KPBSD, noting continued growth despite limited resources. He explained that recent budget cuts are intended to reserve funds for the negotiations process. He reiterated that, due to ongoing mediation between the District and Unions, details of those discussions cannot be disclosed. He also spoke about the healthcare plan approved by the Board during the meeting. He concluded by thanking those in attendance.

President Tauriainen appreciated the school reports this evening. He congratulated Mr. Shea Nash on earning the Nikiski Middle High School principal position. He recognized teachers during teacher appreciation week. He addressed the testimony regarding the elimination of the music program at Nikiski Middle High School and expressed hope that the decision could be revisited. He referenced Superintendent Holland’s comments on legislative bills and encouraged public testimony. He also discussed the challenges of balancing the budget, including school closures, noting that these are difficult but necessary decisions given limited financial resources.

14. Executive Session

A. Executive Session if needed

There were none this evening.

15. Adjournment

A. Adjourn meeting

Seeing that business was complete, President Tauriainen adjourned the meeting at 9:28 p.m.