Board of Education Meeting

June 1, 2026

Meeting Minutes-Approved (07-06-2026)

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 6:00 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

8 Board Members Present:
Board Member Cizek
Vice President Daugharty
Board Member Douthit
Board Member MacRae
Board Member Truesdell
Board Member Vadla
Board Member VanBuskirk
President Tauriainen
Board Members Absent:
Board Member Waddell (absent excused)
A quorum was established.
Others present were:
Superintendent Holland (attended virtually)
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent
Human Resources Executive Director Crabtree
Elementary & Secondary Education Director Graham
Information Services Director Soderquist

Chief Accountant Love

E. Approval of Agenda

MOTION: Move to approve the June 1, 2026 Regular Business Meeting agenda as presented.

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

Not Present at Vote: 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

There were none this evening.

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 were:
Brayden Barber offered comments regarding River City Academy.
Seeing and hearing no further requests for comment from students, President Tauriainen closed student presentations and comments.

6. Public Comments (Items not on the agenda)

A. Public Comments (Items not on the agenda)

President Tauriainen called for public comments on items not on the agenda.
There were none offered.
Seeing and hearing no requests for comment, President Tauriainen closed public comments.

7. Agency and Association Reports

A. Agency and Association Reports-3 minutes per report

President Tauriainen called for reports from agencies and associations.
There were none this evening.
Seeing and hearing no requests 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. April Finance Reports 2026-6-1

President Tauriainen noted the April finance reports on the agenda and referred the Board to email Director of Finance Voivedich with their questions in her absence at the meeting this evening.
Ms. VanBuskirk requested clarification regarding when this fiscal year will be wrapped up.
Chief Accountant Love provided that clarification.

B. Lease Agreements Report for 2026-2027

President Tauriainen called for the Lease Agreements Report for 2026-2027.

Assistant Superintendent Dendurent requested that if the Board did have questions to email Planning and Operations Director Lyon regarding the uploaded Lease Agreements Report for 2026-2027.
President Tauriainen called for any Board questions or comments.
There were none offered.

C. Board Reports

Ms. Douthit attended a Kenai Central site council meeting, the Connections graduation, Kenai Alternative graduation, Soldotna High School graduation, and the Kenai Central graduation. She met with Superintendent Holland and Director of Finance Voivedich to plan the Finance Committee meeting agenda.
Ms. Vadla attended the Soldotna High School graduation, Ms. Rahlstons retirement, the AASB Board of Directors sustainability meeting, the District Recognition committee meeting, the Kenai Alternative graduation, the Nikiski High School graduation, and also the River City Academy graduation.
Ms. Truesdell attended the K-Beach love of reading, the Tebeghna school graduation, Hope graduation, and also the Nanwalek school graduation.
Ms. VanBuskirk attended the Seward High School graduation, a Seward High awards night, a City of Seward pool and middle school planning meeting, and Seward Education Advocate meetings.
Mr. Daugharty attended a Homer High Site council meeting, a Homeschool open house at Paul Banks, a Paul Banks site council meeting, the June agenda planning meeting, several Union negotiation meetings, a Homer High school site council meeting, the Homer High award ceremony, a West Homer open house, and an Administration/District update on negotiations. He also attended the Save Kids Fair at Homer High, the Homer High School Graduation, the Homer Flex graduation, the Razdolna graduation, as well as the Voznesenka and K-Selo graduations. He attended Homer Middle School retirement parties, and a meeting between the City of Homer and Homer High and Homer Middle schools with their MOU on partnerships.
Mr. Tauriainen attended a community meeting at Nikiski Middle High School, an end of school year BBQ at Nikiski North Star, an Award ceremony at Nikiski Middle High School, and the Nikiski High School graduation.

D. Committee Reports

Vice President Daugharty, Chair of the Charter School Oversight Committee provided the committee report for the meeting held earlier today.
Board Member Douthit, Chair of the Finance Committee provided the committee report for the meeting held earlier today.

E. Board Work Session Report

President Tauriainen reported that earlier today the board held work sessions for:
Budget Work Session
Social Studies Curriculum Review
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.

B. (Second Reading) BP 4112.1 Contracts SUGGESTED TITLE CHANGE TO "Certificated Personnel and Management and Supervisory Personnel Contracts"

C. (Second Reading) BP 4112.6/4212.6/4312.6 Personnel Records

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

E. (Second Reading) BB 9223 Filling Board Vacancies

F. (Second Reading) BB 9320 Meetings

G. May 4, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes

H. May 4, 2026 Business Meeting Minutes

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

J. 2026-27 New Teacher Contract(s)

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

L. Budget Transfers over $50,000 2026-6-1

M. Leave of Absence Request/Certified

N. Pay Schedule for Substitutes and other Temporary Employees for the 2026-27 school year

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

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 10 B-O.

Motion by Sarah Douthit, 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

Not Present at Vote: Ash-Lee Waddell

11. Action Items

A. Six Year Plan for the Years 2028 to 2033

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the Six Year Plan for the Years 2028 to 2033.
Seeing and hearing that there were no requests to comment on the action item President Tauriainen closed public comment.
MOTION: Move to approve the Six Year Plan for the Years 2028 to 2033

Motion by Sarah Douthit, second by Patti Truesdell.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the Six Year Plan for the Years 2028 to 2033.
Seeing and hearing no Board requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board comments. Seeing and hearing no opposition to the approval of the Six Year Plan for the Years 2028 to 2033 the motion passed.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Ash-Lee Waddell

B. 2026 Social Studies Curriculum Revision

President Tauriainen called for public comments on the 2026 Social Studies Curriculum Revision.
Those who offered comments were:
Rebecca Hinsberger
Zen Kelly
Seeing and hearing no further requests from the public to comment President Tauriainen closed public comments on the action item.
MOTION: Move to approve the 2026 Social Studies Curriculum as revised.

Motion by Sarah Douthit, second by Penny Vadla.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the 2026 Social Studies Curriculum Revision.
Board Members who offered comments were:
President Tauriainen clarified that the action item is on the curriculum standards and not the materials.
Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment on the 2026 Social Studies Curriculum Revision, President Tauriainen closed Board comments. Seeing and hearing no opposition to the approval of the 2026 Social Studies Curriculum Revision the motion passed.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Ash-Lee Waddell

C. Kenai Peninsula School Athletic Association (KPSAA) Handbook SY 2026-2027
President Tauriainen called for public comments on the Kenai Peninsula School Athletic Association (KPSAA) Handbook SY 2026-2027.
There were no comments offered.
Seeing and hearing no requests from the public to comment President Tauriainen closed public comments on the action item.
MOTION: Move to approve the Kenai Peninsula School Athletic Association (KPSAA) Handbook SY 2026-2027.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Sarah Douthit.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the Kenai Peninsula School Athletic Association (KPSAA) Handbook SY 2026-2027.
Board Members who offered comments were:

President Tauriainen noted that the Board was presented the revisions at the May 4, 2026 work session.
Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment on the Kenai Peninsula School Athletic Association (KPSAA) Handbook SY 2026-2027, President Tauriainen closed Board comments. Seeing and hearing no opposition to the approval of the Kenai Peninsula School Athletic Association (KPSAA) Handbook SY 2026-2027 the motion passed.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Ash-Lee Waddell

D. FY26 General Fund, Student Transportation, and Student Nutrition Budget Revisions

President Tauriainen called for public comments on the FY26 General Fund, Student Transportation, and Student Nutrition Budget Revisions.
There were no comments offered this evening on the action item.
Seeing and hearing no requests to comment President Tauriainen closed public comments on the action item.
MOTION: Move to approve the FY26 General Fund, Student Transportation, and Student Nutrition Budget Revisions.

Motion by Sarah Douthit, second by Penny Vadla.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the FY26 General Fund, Student Transportation, and Student Nutrition Budget Revisions.
There were no Board comments on the action item this evening.
Seeing and hearing no Board requests to comment on the FY26 General Fund, Student Transportation, and Student Nutrition Budget Revisions, President Tauriainen closed Board comments. Seeing and hearing no opposition to the approval of the FY26 General Fund, Student Transportation, and Student Nutrition Budget Revisions the motion passed.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Not Present at Vote: Ash-Lee Waddell

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:
Ahnie Litecky offered comments regarding Homer area schools, school consolidations, and charter schools.
Winter Marshall-Allen offered comments regarding student support services and nurse staff funding restorations.
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. Truesdell appreciated the meeting this evening. She appreciated the testimony this evening in particular testimony regarding curriculum. She appreciated the student testimony this evening. She appreciated all in attendance at the meeting.
Ms. Cizek did not offer any comments this evening.
Ms. VanBuskirk appreciated the student testimony this evening. She noted that curriculum review is one of the Board's primary responsibilities. She expressed excitement with the discussions today to potentially restore some of the budget reduction items. She was also excited about the conversations surrounding expanding CTE programs potentially as well.
Ms. MacRae appreciated attending the graduations this year.
Ms. Douthit attended the hot dog slinging event at Mountain View, and wished everyone a happy June.
Ms. Vadla appreciated the student testimony this evening. She appreciated the Social Studies Curriculum Revision work session this afternoon. She appreciated the Charter Schools that reported this morning during the Charter School Oversight Committee meeting. She appreciated those in attendance this evening.
Mr. Daugharty appreciated the student testimony this evening. He appreciated all the graduations that he attended this year. He encouraged school visits to see what schools are accomplishing. He appreciated Mike Sturm as principal in Razdlna. He appreciated all staff and Board members. He challenged the Board to think outside the box.
Superintendent Holland noted upcoming meetings regarding moving forward on the transfer of the swimming pools to other entities. He appreciated the Board once more this evening. He encouraged the Board to consider the impact of future budget reductions and potential school consolidations. He appreciated those who attended the meeting.
Mr. Tauriainen appreciated those who attended the meeting and appreciated the testimony this evening. He appreciated the Board.

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 6:57 p.m.