Regular Business Meeting

Monday, September 14, 2026

Meeting Minutes-Approved (10-05-2026)

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 6:01 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:
Student Representative Mr. Reid Rauch

Board Member Cizek
Board Member Douthit
Vice President Daugharty
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:
Assistant Superintendent Dendurent
Elementary & Secondary Education Director Graham

Human Resources Executive Director Crabtree
Finance Director Voivedich
Student Support Services Director Kelly

E. Approval of Agenda

MOTION: Move to approve the September 14, 2026 Regular Business Meeting agenda as presented.

Motion by Sarah Douthit, 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

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

Student Representative to the Board, Mr. Reid Rauch provide the Student Board 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.

There were none this evening.

Seeing and hearing no 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
Jon Watson
Tamra Wear
Ahnie Litecky

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.
Those who offered comments were:

Susanna Litwiniak, KPESA President
Rebecca Walker, KPEA President

Seeing and hearing no further requests to comment from representatives from agencies and associations, President Tauriainen closed Agency and Association reports.

8. Superintendent's Report

A. Superintendent Holland

Assistant Superintendent Dendurent provided the Superintendent's Report this evening.

9. Reports

A. July and August Finance Reports 2026-9-14

President Tauriainen called for the July and August Finance Reports.
Finance Director Voivedich provided the July and August 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

Ms. Douthit attended the Kenai Chamber Lunch with state legislators in attendance, and visited Kenai Alternative school.
Ms. Cizek attended the Aurora Borealis Charter school parent night, and visited Soldotna Elementary, and Montessori Charter School as well as Redoubt Elementary.
Ms. Truesdell visited K-Beach, Kenai Middle School, and attended a new assistant principal interview.
Mr. Daugharty visited Skyview Middle School with Administrators preparing for the year, he visited Homer Middle School, Homer High School back to school BBQ, an Agenda Planning meeting, a Paul Banks back to school event, he visited Nikolaevsk Charter School, Chapman school, attended a West Homer PTO, and the new school board candidate orientation. He officiated a girls powder puff High school football game, attended a Homer High site council that was canceled and attended a KPEA negotiations meeting.
Ms. VanBuskirk toured the Seward area schools with Superintendent Holland, attended a Seward cross country meet and student advocate meeting.
Mr. Tauriainen visited Nikiski Middle High and Nikiski North Star first day of school, attended the agenda planning meeting, the new candidate orientation and the student representative orientation, as well as attended the Nikiski Middle High school open house.

C. Committee Reports

Board Member Truesdell, Chair of the Small Schools Committee provided the committee report for the meeting held earlier today.
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:

Board Policy Review
AK STAR Outcome Monitoring
KPBSD AI Overview & Guardrails
Board Discussion

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 Long-Term Substitute Teacher Contract(s)

B. 2026-27 New Teacher Contract(s)

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

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

E. Budget Transfers over $50,000 2026-9-14

F. (Second Reading & Action) BP 1114 Communication Using Electronic Media

G. (Second Reading & Action) BP 5131.9 Academic Honesty

H. (First Reading & Action) AR 5131.9 Academic Honesty

I. August 3, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes

J. August 3, 2026 Business Meeting Minutes

K. Student Representative to the School Board and Student Representative to the Information Committee

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–K

Motion by Ash-Lee Waddell, 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

Yes: Mr. Reid Rauch, Student Advisory Vote

11. Action Items

A. Seward Area Schools Configuration Change and Seward Middle/High Name Merge

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the Seward Area Schools Configuration Change and Seward Middle/High Name Merge.
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 Seward Area Schools Configuration Change and Seward Middle/High Name Merge.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Patricia Truesdell.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the Seward Area Schools Configuration Change and Seward Middle/High Name Merge.

There were no comments offered.

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 approval of the Seward Area Schools Configuration Change and Seward Middle/High Name Merge.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Dianne Macrae, Jason Tauriainen, Patricia Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell
Yes: Mr. Reid Rauch, Student Advisory Vote

B. Outside Agency Personnel Approval

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the Outside Agency Personnel Approval.
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 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 Sarah Douthit, second by Penny Vadla.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the Outside Agency Personnel Approval.

There were no comments offered.

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 Outside Agency Personnel Approval.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Dianne Macrae, Jason Tauriainen, Patricia Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell
Yes: Mr. Reid Rauch, Student Advisory Vote

C. KPBSD 403(b) plan restatement period

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the KPBSD 403(b) plan restatement period.
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 KPBSD's 403(b) plan restatement

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Patricia Truesdell.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the KPBSD 403(b) plan restatement period.

There were no comments offered.

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 approval of the KPBSD 403(b) plan restatement period.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Dianne Macrae, Jason Tauriainen, Patricia Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell
Yes: Mr. Reid Rauch, Student Advisory Vote

D. FY26-28 Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the FY26-28 Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
There were no public 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 FY26-28 Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Dianne Macrae.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the FY26-28 Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Board members who offered comments were:

Ms. Truesdell
Ms. Vadla

Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment President Tauriainen passed the gavel to Vice President Daugharty. President Tauriainen declared a potential conflict of interest due to his spouse being a teacher for the District. Vice President Daugharty ruled that President Tauriainen does have a conflict of interest and should abstain from the vote.

Seeing and hearing no further Board requests to comment Vice President Daugharty closed Board comments. Seeing that a member was attending the meeting virtually Vice President Daugharty called for a roll call vote for the approval of the FY26-28 Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

MOTION: Move to approve the FY26-28 Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

Motion by Kelley Cizek, second by Dianne Macrae.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Abstain: Jason Tauriainen
Yes: Mr. Reid Rauch, Student Advisory Vote

Seeing that President Tauriainen's conflict of interest was resolved Vice President Daugharty passed the gavel back to President Tauriainen.

E. FY26-28 Kenai Peninsula Educational Support Association (KPESA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the FY26-28 Kenai Peninsula Educational Support Association (KPESA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
There were no public 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 FY26-28 Kenai Peninsula Educational Support Association (KPESA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Patricia Truesdell.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the FY26-28 Kenai Peninsula Educational Support Association (KPESA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Board members who offered comments were:

Ms. Truesdell
Ms. Vadla
Mr. 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 FY26-28 Kenai Peninsula Educational Support Association (KPESA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Dianne Macrae, Jason Tauriainen, Patricia Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell
Yes: Mr. Reid Rauch, Student Advisory Vote

F. FY27 - FY28 Exempt Salary Schedules.

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the FY27 - FY28 Exempt Salary Schedules.
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 - FY28 Exempt Salary Schedules.

Motion by Sarah Douthit, second by Patricia Truesdell.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the FY27 - FY28 Exempt Salary Schedules.

Board members who offered comments were:

Mr. 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 FY27 - FY28 Exempt Salary Schedules.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Dianne Macrae, Jason Tauriainen, Patricia Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell
Yes: Mr. Reid Rauch, Student Advisory Vote

G. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and Kenai Peninsula Administrators Association

President Tauriainen called for public comment on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and Kenai Peninsula Administrators Association.
There were no public 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 Memorandum of Agreement between Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and Kenai Peninsula Administrators Association for health care.

Motion by Penny Vadla, second by Sarah Douthit.

President Tauriainen called for Board comments on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and Kenai Peninsula Administrators Association.

Board members who offered comments were:

Ms. Cizek
Mr. 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 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and Kenai Peninsula Administrators Association.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Yes: Kelley Cizek, Tim Daugharty, Sarah Douthit, Dianne Macrae, Jason Tauriainen, Patricia Truesdell, Penny Vadla, Mica VanBuskirk, Ash-Lee Waddell
Yes: Mr. Reid Rauch, Student Advisory Vote

12. Public Comments (Any Topic)

A. Public Comments (Any Topic)

President Tauriainen called for public comments on items not on the agenda.
Those who offered comments were:

Tamra Wear
Ahnie Litecky

Seeing and hearing no further requests for comment, President Tauriainen closed public comments.

13. Board and Administration Comments

A. Board and Administration Comments

Ms. MacRae appreciated the beginning of the school year being off to a good start. She acknowledged the closure of Tustumena Elementary this year.
Mr. Daugharty appreciated those who presented today, and welcomed Mr. Rauch as the student representative to the Board and appreciated Mr. Rauch's report this evening. Mr. Daugharty expressed that he would like to discuss the new pool fees as soon as possible, as well as upcoming consolidation or closure discussions if they are necessary to consider. He appreciated the CBAs being passed this evening. He also noted that the process was eye opening and expressed that there could be improvement in communication.
Ms. VanBuskirk welcomed and thanked Mr. Rauch for being on the Board as student representative this year. She appreciated the CBAs being approved this evening, but hoped future negotiations could come to agreements more quickly. She also echoed Mr. Daugharty in if this year there are consolidations being considered that those discussions should begin soon. She also would like to have the district focus more on CTE programs, and further student outcomes.
Ms. Vadla appreciated those who attended the meeting this evening. She appreciated the meetings and work sessions held earlier today. She appreciated Mr. Rauch and welcomed him to the Board. She appreciated the comments and testimony this evening. She appreciated the reports this evening. She appreciated the CBAs passing this evening.
Ms. Cizek welcomed Mr. Rauch. She appreciated all the work put towards the CBAs and them passing this evening. She expressed that school consolidations will most likely be a continual discussion and consideration during the budget process. She expressed hope in that the Soldotna Prep school will move forward according to the proposed timeline. She also expressed concern for the decreased enrollment in the district. She noted conversations she's had with Superintendent Holland regarding the increased enrollment in the Connections program. She appreciated Coordinator Adams presentation on AI during the work sessions this afternoon. She would also appreciate future discussions and presentations in relation to AI.
Ms. Douthit welcomed Mr. Rauch. She also expressed excitement for the school reports in the future. She encouraged visits to the district schools.

Ms. Waddell appreciated and welcomed Mr. Rauch. She appreciated the Small Schools committee meeting this afternoon. She appreciated the AI work session and presentation from Coordinator Adams. She expressed appreciation for the CBAs passing and the hard work to pass them. She noted that she has been working towards collaborating within the community of Homer. She appreciated the meetings today.
Mr. Rauch appreciated the opportunity being the student representative on the Board. He spoke to his idea of District Spirit and his goal to connect the District and community. He would like to serve as an example to other students. He expressed excitement to be here in the position.
Ms. Truesdell appreciated the meetings and work sessions held today. She expressed appreciation for the staff in the district and the CBAs passing this evening. She appreciated the AI work session held earlier today. She expressed how proud she is of the District.
President Tauriainen welcomed Mr. Rauch. He noted that this will be his last term on the school board. He appreciated his service on the Board. He appreciated the CBAs passing this evening.

14. Executive Session

A. Executive Session if needed

There were none this evening.

15. Adjournment

A. Adjourn meeting

President Tauriainen adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m.