APPROVED 3-5-18

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669

Minutes Board of Education Meeting Monday, February 5, 2018

Generated by Debbie Tressler on Tuesday, February 6, 2018

1. Opening Activities

A. Call to Order 6:00 p.m.

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

C. District Mission Statement

Mr. Tauriainen read the district mission statement.

D. Roll Call

Members Present: Marty Anderson, Debbie Cary, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla, Calvin Mitzel, student representative

E. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.

F. Approval of Minutes

The minutes of January 15, 2018 were approved as printed.

2. Awards and Presentations

The Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science presentation was cancelled.

3. School Reports

A. Nikiski North Star Elementary, Mrs. Margaret Gilman

Ms. Audra Faris, music teacher, introduced a group of students who performed, " Best Day of My Life.” Principal, Mrs. Margaret Gilman, introduced four students who shared a presentation highlighting the school's programs including PBIS, personalized learning, projects, and community involvement.

Ms. Dawn Edwards-Smith, River City Academy principal, shared the school’s info-graphic. With the assistance of teacher Mrs. Anna Karron, she led the audience and board in participating in an online Kahoot quiz activity about the school. She stated that in the spring they will interview new students.

At 6:32 p.m. Mrs. Vadla recessed the meeting.

At 6:38 p.m. the Board reconvened in regular session.

4. Public Presentations/Comments (Items not on the agenda)

District counselors, Ms. Margaret Griffin, Ms. Megan Murphy, and Ms. Leslie Fazio, announced that Soldotna High School has earned the RAMP (Recognized ASCA [American School Counselor Association] Model Program) award and explained the award and its value. They noted that Governor Walker proclaimed this week as Alaska School Counselor's Week.

Mr. Jesse Bjorkman spoke about a 7th grade district student he interviewed on his radio show regarding her community service.

5. Hearing of Delegations

None scheduled.

6. Communications and Petitions

Mr. Dusek noted the Homer bus statistics and the Borough Assembly’s honoring of the Soldotna High School cheerleading squad, posted in the general information packet. He stated it is School Board Appreciation Month and thanked the Board for their work. This is Alaska School Counselor Week; Mr. Dusek thanked the district counselors for their work. He reported that the Association of Alaska School Board (AASB) has requested districts to pass a resolution in support of the Alaska Education Challenge’s three commitments. He stated that, during their recent delegate assembly, NEA Alaska voted to support the commitments.

Upcoming dates:

Feb. 5 Borough Assembly/School Board joint budget meeting

Feb. 7 Early Release for schools, Mr. Dusek will visit Nikiski High

Feb. 8 & 9 Parent-Teacher Conferences

Feb. 9 Tebughna School principal interviews

Feb. 20 Razdolna School principal interviews

Feb. 26 Nanwalek School principal interviews

Feb. 13, 20, 21, and 22 Public budget forums

March 5 board meeting

He wished the AASB Legislative Fly-In attendees well during their travels and conference.

7. Representative selected by the following: Advisory Committee, Site Councils and/or Authorized Student Support Organizations, K.P.A.A., K.P.E.A., K.P.E.S.A., Borough Assembly

Mr. David Brighton, KPEA president, stated that, during their recent delegate assembly, NEA Alaska voted unanimously to support the Alaska Education Challenge’s three commitments. He wished the members Happy School Board Appreciation Month. He thanked district counselors for their work. He discussed the budget and asked the Board to spend more of the unassigned fund balance. He expressed appreciation for the district. He stated that KPEA is giving an educator of the month recognition award, which can be heard on local radio stations.

8. Superintendent's Report

Mr. Dusek reported that Senator Lisa Murkowski nominated Soldotna High School student Cody Quelland, for the military academy. He congratulated Mr. Quelland on his nominations to both the Air Force Academy and West Point. He stated that February is Love of Reading Month and Battle of the Books competitions are taking place this week. He congratulated the district hockey teams for their successful seasons. He re-noted National School Counselors Week. He thanked the district music teachers and the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra who were involved in the recent Carnegie Hall Link-Up concert on Feb. 2 & 3 and expressed appreciation for the teachers, students and program. The Upstream Academy begin today at the Challenger Learning Center and noted that Wednesday would be a good day to visit. Tustumena Elementary will host the district forensics competition on Feb. 24. KCHS is hosting Supreme Court Live on March 29 from 9:40 - 11: 40 a.m., the Board is invited to attend. Mr. Dusek presented an update on professional learning activities at the Alaska Council of School Administrator meeting in Juneau. While there, he spoke with several members of the joint education committee and various legislators. He attended the Homer transportation meeting and stated that plans are moving forward. He met with Commissioner Johnson and other southcentral superintendents regarding next steps for the Alaska Education Challenge. He met with Senator Lisa Murkowski and discussed national issues including Net Neutrality. He attended the regional hockey competition. He is viewing and selecting student art for the upcoming superintendent art show in April. The week of Feb. 22, he will attend the national superintendent conference. He is planning to visit Seward and Homer again soon and Nikiski High School Wednesday, Feb. 7. He noted the KCHS job shadow day is coming up and encouraged the Board to participate in the luncheon.

9. Reports

A. Board Reports

Mr. Kelly attended the Jan. 25 Homer transportation meeting. He held a Finance Committee meeting on Feb. 1. He attended the Feb. 1 meeting with Senator Murkowski.

Mr. Illg attended the Jan. 23 Facebook Live event. On Jan. 25 he attended the transportation meeting at West Homer Elementary. He attended the Feb. 1 Facebook Live with Mr. Jones. He attended the Finance Committee meeting on Feb. 1. He attended the the regional hockey competition on Feb. 2.

Ms. Hohl attended part of the Seward Site Council meeting on Thursday, Feb. 1.

On Feb. 1, Ms. Cary attended the Ninilchik Site Council meeting, the Finance Committee meeting and Mr. Jones’ Facebook Live event.

On Feb. 1, Mr. Navarre attended the Finance Committee meeting and the meeting with Senator Murkowski.

Mrs. Vadla attended the Soldotna High/Soldotna Prep PTA meeting. She attended the Soldotna High jazz concert. She attended the meeting with Senator Murkowski. She attended the Alaska Education Challenge presentation to the Senate Education Committee, via telephone, on Jan. 24. She attended Carnegie Link-Up Concert at KCHS on Feb. 3.

B. Committee Reports

Mr. Castimore reported that the Board Policy Review Committee met earlier in the day and discussed their agenda items.

Mr. Kelly reported that the Finance Committee met on Feb. 1, 2018 and discussed their agenda items.

C. Board Work Session Report

Mrs. Vadla reported that the Board held work sessions entitled: Board Policy, FY19 Budget, Meeting the Challenge of Childhood Trauma & Adverse Childhood Experience, and AASB Fly-In Prep. All board members attended the work sessions, except Mr. Mitzel.

10. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Consent Agenda

Move to approve Consent Agenda items 10 B-K

Motion by Tim Navarre, second by Lynn Hohl.

B. 2017-18 Long-Term Substitute Teacher Contract(s)

C. 2018-19 Tentative Administrator Contract(s)

D. 2018-19 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s)

E. 2018-19 Tentative Non-Tenure Teacher Contract(s) and Tenure

F. 2018-19 Tentative Tenure Teacher Contract(s)

G. Approval of Administration's Recommendation Regarding Resignation

H. Leave of Absence Request/Certified

I. Leave of Absence Request/Support

J. Resignation(s)

K. 2018-2019 District Organizational Chart

Mr. Kelly stated he believes he has a conflict of interest on 10F. 2018-2019 Tentative Tenure Teacher Contracts as his wife's contract is included in the list.

Mrs. Vadla ruled that this does constitute a conflict of interest as it represents a substantial financial gain for Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly will abstain voting on item 10F.

Mr. Castimore removed items 10F. 2018-2019 Tentative Tenure Teacher Contracts and 10G. Approval of Administration's Recommendation Regarding Resignation from the consent agenda.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried for Items 10B. – E. and H.- K.

Yes: Marty Anderson, Debbie Cary, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla

Advisory Vote: Calvin Mitzel, Yes

Final Resolution: Motion Carried for Item 10F.

Yes: Marty Anderson, Debbie Cary, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Tim Navarre, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla

Abstain: Zen Kelly

Advisory Vote: Calvin Mitzel, Yes

Final Resolution: Motion Carried for Item 10G.

Yes: Marty Anderson, Debbie Cary, Dan Castimore, Lynn Hohl, Mike Illg, Zen Kelly, Tim Navarre, Jason Tauriainen, Penny Vadla

Advisory Vote: Calvin Mitzel, Yes

11. Action Items

None.

12. First Reading of Policy Revisions

None.

13. Public Presentations/Comments

No comments were offered.

14. Board Comments

Mr. Illg thanked the administration and Homer High School staff for their response and work after recent earthquake, especially Mr. Doug Waclawski and Ms. Sunny Mall at Homer High School.

Mr. Navarre will be absent for March meeting and will not be able to phone in.

Mr. Tauriainen reported attending many basketball games, primarily as a referee. He will be absent for the Feb. 6 meetings but will try to participate telephonically in the Information Committee.

Ms. Hohl hopes to attend some of the spelling bee and the Upstream Academy on Feb. 6 between meeting times. She will be out of state for the March meeting and requested to phone in. She wished everyone Happy Valentine’s Day.

Mr. Anderson thanked the presenters. Due to work demands, he will be absent for the Feb. 6 meetings and joint work session. He stated that Mr. Tauriainen is an excellent referee.

Mr. Kelly noted the resignation of Ms. Laura Sheldon, McNeil Canyon Elementary school secretary. He expressed appreciation for Mr. Dusek’s presentation to the Education Committee which he watched on television on “Gavel to Gavel.”

Mrs. Vadla thanked the presenters. She thanked Mr. Jones for his work on the budget reports. She thanked the Board for their assistance during the meeting. She reminded the Board of the joint budget work session at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6. She asked the members give proper notice to Mrs. Tressler when planning to phone in.

15. Executive Session

No Executive Session was needed.

16. Adjourn

At 7:24 p.m. Mrs. Vadla adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Mrs. Penny Vadla, President

Mr. Dan Castimore, Clerk

Submitted by Mrs. Debbie Tressler

Administrative Secretary to the Board of Education