Board of Education Regular Business Meeting

Monday, July 6, 2026

Meeting Minutes-Draft

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
148 N. Binkley Street
Soldotna, Alaska 99669

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order

President Tauriainen called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

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

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

C. District Mission Statement

Ms. Douthit read the district mission statement.

D. Roll Call

9 Board Members Present:
Board Member Cizek
Vice President Daugharty
Board Member Douthit
Board Member MacRae
Board Member Truesdell
Board Member Vadla
Board Member VanBuskirk
Board Member Waddell (attended virtually)
President Tauriainen

A quorum was established.

Others present were:
Superintendent Holland
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent
Human Resources Executive Director Crabtree
Elementary & Secondary Education Director Graham
Finance Director Voivedich
Information Services Director Soderquist

Planning and Operations Director Lyon (attended virtually)

E. Approval of Agenda

MOTION: Move to approve the July 6, 2026 Regular Business Meeting agenda as presented.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Patricia Truesdell.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

2. Awards and Presentations

There were none this evening.

3. School Reports

There were none this evening.

4. 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 provided comments on River City Academy and performance based programs.
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.
Those who offered comments were:

Paul Marks provided comments regarding Soldotna High School AP scores.
Nate Crabtree provided comments regarding AP scores.
Ahnie Litecky provided comments regarding school consolidations.
Seeing and hearing no further 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 no comments offered.
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. May Finance Reports 2026-7-6

President Tauriainen called for the Finance Reports.

Finance Director Voivedich provided the May Finance Reports.

President Tauriainen called for Board questions or comments on the report.

There were no Board comments offered and President Tauriainen closed the Finance Reports.

B. Board Reports

There were no Board reports offered from Board Members this evening.

C. Committee Reports

Board Member Cizek, Chair of the Policy Review Committee provided the committee report for the meeting held earlier today.

D. Board Work Session Report

President Tauriainen reported that earlier today the board held work sessions for:
KPBSD eGov Platform Introduction
KPSAA Language Revision
Finance Work Session
Curriculum Materials Work Session
President Tauriainen reported that all Board members at the meeting this evening attended the work sessions.

10. Consent Agenda

President Tauriainen read all items on the consent agenda this evening.

A. 2026-27 New Teacher Contract(s)

B. 2026-27 Temporary Retired Teacher Contract(s)

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

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

E. Budget Transfers over $50,000 2026-7-6

F. June 1, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes

G. June 1, 2026 Business Meeting Minutes

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the consent agenda items.
There were no comments offered.
President Tauriainen closed public comments on the consent agenda items.

MOTION: Move to approve consent agenda items A–G

Motion by Patricia Truesdell, second by Sarah Douthit.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

11. Action Items

A. Tustumena Elementary School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the Tustumena Elementary School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Seeing and hearing that there were no requests to comment on the action item President Tauriainen closed public comment.

MOTION: Move to declare the Tustumena Elementary School facility surplus and direct the Superintendent to transfer the facility to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Sarah Douthit.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the Tustumena Elementary School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Board members that commented were:
Ms. Cizek requested clarification regarding the attachments.
Planning and Operations Director Lyon provided clarification regarding the attachments.
Ms. Vadla requested clarification regarding student transportation.

President Tauriainen provided clarification on the action item.
Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board comments. Seeing that a member was attending the meeting virtually President Tauriainen called for a roll call vote for the Tustumena Elementary School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Dianne Macrae, Jason Tauriainen, Patricia Truesdell, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell

No: Penny Vadla

B. Sterling Elementary School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the Sterling Elementary School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Seeing and hearing that there were no requests to comment on the action item President Tauriainen closed public comment.

MOTION: Move to declare the Sterling Elementary School facility surplus and direct the Superintendent to transfer the facility to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

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

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the Sterling Elementary School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Seeing and hearing no Board requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board comments. Seeing that a member was attending the meeting virtually President Tauriainen called for a roll call vote for the Sterling Elementary School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

C. Seward Middle School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the Seward Middle School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Seeing and hearing that there were no requests to comment on the action item President Tauriainen closed public comment.

MOTION: Move to declare the Seward Middle School facility surplus and direct the Superintendent to transfer the facility to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Motion by Ash-Lee Waddell, second by Patricia Truesdell.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the Seward Middle School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Seeing and hearing no Board requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board comments. Seeing that a member was attending the meeting virtually President Tauriainen called for a roll call vote for the Seward Middle School Facility Transfer to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

D. Social Studies Materials

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the Social Studies Materials.
Those who offered comments were:
Paul Marks
Seeing and hearing that there were no further requests to comment on the action item President Tauriainen closed public comment.

MOTION: Move to approve the purchase of the proposed middle and high school social studies materials.

Motion by Ash-Lee Waddell, second by Patricia Truesdell.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the Social Studies Materials.

Board Members who offered comments were:
Ms. Truesdell
Ms. Vadla
Ms. Cizek
Ms. VanBuskirk
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent addressed Ms. VanBuskirk's question regarding physical and digital access for curriculum materials quotes.
President Tauriainen
Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board comments. Seeing that a member was attending the meeting virtually President Tauriainen called for a roll call vote for the approval of the Social Studies Materials.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

E. FY27 Preliminary Budget Revision

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the FY27 Preliminary Budget Revision.
There were no comments offered.
Seeing and hearing that there were no requests to comment on the action item President Tauriainen closed public comment.

MOTION: Move to approve the FY27 Preliminary Budget Revision.

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Penny Vadla.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the FY27 Preliminary Budget Revision.

Board Members who offered comments were:
Mr. Daugharty
Director Voivedich provided clarification regarding Mr. Daugharty's questions.
President Tauriainen requested Director Voivedich to provide further clarification regarding in kind and local efforts from the Borough.
Ms. Douthit provided further clarification that there was a shift in the allocation between the in kind and local effort funding from the Borough, not a decrease in funding.
Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment President Tauriainen closed Board comments. Seeing that a member was attending the meeting virtually President Tauriainen called for a roll call vote for the FY27 Preliminary Budget Revision.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

12. Public Comments (Any Topic)

A. Public Comments (Any Topic)

President Tauriainen called for public comments on any topic.
Members of the public who offered comments were:
Deb Curtis provided comments on the FY27 Budget.
Paul Marks provided comments on AP scores.
Seeing and hearing no further requests to comment President Tauriainen closed public comments on any topic.

13. Board and Administration Comments

A. Board and Administration Comments

Board Members and Administrators who offered closing comments were:

Ms. MacRae passed on providing comments this evening.

Ms. VanBuskirk expressed appreciation for the reinstatement of the library aides through the budget revision and for the reinstatement of the Middle College program. She stated that expanding art and music opportunities to all schools remains a future goal. She also noted that she would like the Board to review the alternative schools in the future. Ms. VanBuskirk appreciated Brayden Barber's testimony and the testimony regarding Career and Technical Education (CTE) certifications and Advanced Placement (AP) scores. She also shared her thoughts on artificial intelligence (AI) and the importance of thoughtful Board discussions on the topic, and read a quote.

Ms. Cizek stated that she hopes the transfer of school buildings to the borough marks the end of that difficult process. She expressed hope that the district will be in a stronger financial position next fiscal year as a result of the school closures and that the consolidations will create additional opportunities for students. She emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency with the community regarding the district's fiscal situation throughout the budget process.

Ms. Waddell stated that Ms. VanBuskirk had expressed many of the same thoughts she wished to share.

Ms. Truesdell acknowledged that the past year has been difficult for the Board because of the school closure decisions. She expressed excitement for the upcoming school year and noted that district staff are working diligently to prepare all schools for the start of the school year, particularly those impacted by consolidation. She said she appreciated being part of the process.

Ms. Douthit stated that she is looking forward to the school reports in the fall and visiting schools during the upcoming year. She thanked those who attended the meeting.

Ms. Vadla expressed appreciation for the work of the Information Services Department. She shared concerns regarding the school consolidations and their impact on teachers. She appreciated Brayden Barber's testimony and the district's efforts related to the McKinney-Vento program. She thanked everyone who attended the meeting and reminded Board members of the upcoming AASB Board of Directors meeting she will be attending, inviting the Board to provide input she could share.

Mr. Daugharty expressed appreciation for Director Voivedich and thanked everyone for their patience as he continues to learn about and navigate the budget process. He stated that the Board strives to be as transparent as possible and noted the Board planning session scheduled for the following day. He said he would like transparency to remain a priority in the Board's goals. He reminded the public that the district is still awaiting additional funding information from the state, which is not expected until the end of August, and encouraged everyone to enjoy the remainder of the summer.

Superintendent Holland thanked Ms. Sipes and Director Soderquist for their work implementing the new eGovernance system. He also thanked the Board for their continued work throughout the budget process this year. He reminded the public that the Board intentionally did not restore all FY27 budget reductions in an effort to remain fiscally responsible. He said he looks forward to further discussion regarding the policies introduced earlier in the day regarding AI. Superintendent Holland acknowledged the difficult budget decisions made over the past year and thanked the Board for their thoughtful deliberations. He concluded by stating that the district has remained transparent throughout the budget process.

President Tauriainen thanked Ms. Sipes and Director Soderquist for their work implementing the new eGovernance system. He also thanked Superintendent Holland for informing the Board of the state's new CPR curriculum requirement. He stated that future discussions about the district's financial outlook should extend beyond school consolidations if additional school closures can be avoided, and that he would like the Board to be more involved in the curriculum development and selection process. He concluded by thanking everyone who attended the meeting this evening.

14. Executive Session

There were none this evening.

15. Adjournment

President Tauriainen adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.