Category: News Release

9/12/19 Collective Bargaining: KPBSD offer to KPEA and KPESA

News ReleaseKPBSD logo
September 12, 2019 Collective Bargaining Update: KPBSD offer to KPEA and KPESA
Soldotna, September 12, 2019—This evening at bargaining, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) presented a new offer to the Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) and Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA) that offers fair salary increases and provides our employees additional money to address ongoing health care cost concerns. KPEA and KPESA offered a counter proposal to KPBSD that the District is evaluating. Links to the 9/12/19 offers are at the end of this information about the KPBSD offer to KPEA and KPESA:
 

  1. This evening, the District offered to help reduce the health care contributions of its employees by depositing $918,748 into the employees’ health care reserve (savings) account. An account controlled by the employee representatives on the health care program committee. This additional amount of money is beyond what the independent Arbitrator recommended. This deposit is $250,000 more than the District’s August 24, 2019 offer.

 

  1. This evening, the District offered to further increase its current contributions to the cost of health insurance by $3,600 per year per employee health plan member. Also not part of the Arbitrator’s recommendations, and $1,800 per year per employee health plan member more than the District’s August 24, 2019 offer. This portion of the District’s health care offer is an additional $859,186 more than the District’s August 24, 2019 offer.

 

  1. The Arbitrator, after two days of hearings and hundreds of pages of exhibits, concluded, “The evidence is irrefutable that it is costing [the District] more to provide health care coverage…than virtually all of the other comparable Districts.”

 

  1. The Arbitrator also recognized that the District’s employees are paying higher costs than those comparable Districts as well. She concluded that “This is reflective of numerous factors, not limited to the levels of coverage, the utilization of benefits, age of the workforce, access to care, and importantly, the inability to spread costs and risk over a larger population.” The District is not a contributing factor to the employees’ higher medical costs.

 

  1. This evening, the District’s offer continued to follow the recommendations of the independent Arbitrator by increasing the KPEA and KPESA salary schedules by 3.5% over the FY19-FY21 duration of the Negotiated Agreement.

 

  1. In addition, the District’s offer continued the Arbitrator’s recommendation that employees without access to higher salary schedule steps or the availability of a new column, receive up to an additional 3.5% salary increase over those fiscal years honoring their longevity with the District.

 

  1. The salary schedule increases are in addition to automatic step increases built into those schedules for eligible employees. Those increases average 4.98% per year for KPESA, and 2.67% per year for KPEA.

 

  1. Only the District, through its elected Board of Education, can balance District’s revenues and expenditures to ensure that the highest quality educational programs are provided. Over the years, heart-wrenching decisions have been made by the Board to close schools and eliminate positions, among other things, to balance the District’s budget. The Board will be facing those decisions again in this next budget cycle.

Following the 9/12/19 District offer, KPEA and KPESA presented a counter offer that the District is evaluating.
Links

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FASD Awareness Day 9/9 at 9:09 AM

Sept. 9, 2019 is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day.

Graphic 1 Support
FASD awareness day started on 9/9/99 to remind everyone that a woman can remain alcohol fee for all nine months of pregnancy.
At 9:09 AM, on 9/9, is the time and date FASD is recognized throughout the world. The time is today for everyone  to take part in a cultural change to prevent FASD, and to remember the importance, at the school level, of understanding the impact of this invisible disability. The CDC estimates that 2% to 5% of the total population is impacted by FASD. Clayton Holland, Director of Student Support Services said, “If we apply that percentage to the KPBSD we would have close to 400 students who are impacted, with many of them not being identified with FASD, but likely having significant struggles in the classroom and at home.”
 

“The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is a leader in schools throughout North America to address FASD, and we are steadily working to increase our capacity to successfully address the many challenges faced by students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). To date, over 600 KPBSD staff members in the last 10 years have participated in trainings with FASD expert, and Homer resident, Deb Evensen. Our long term goal is that every staff member is trained to understand the impact that FASD has on a student, how FASD impacts academics, behavior, and social-emotional health, and for staff to learn what will help students with FASD be successful at school. We also want to educate our students on the danger of prenatal exposer to alcohol and provide supports for families.” –Clayton Holland, Director of Student Support Services

Everyone is encouraged to learn more about FASD by going to The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome website. This is an excellent resource for all KPSBD staff who work with students experiencing FASD. www.nofas.org
Graphic 3 DontMix
 

KPBSD Package Proposal to KPEA and KPESA to settle FY19-FY20-FY21 bargaining

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) package proposal to the Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) and Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA) to settle FY19-FY20-FY21 bargaining, provided during negotiations on Saturday, August 24, 2019.
 

PDF: 8.24.19 KPBSD Package Proposal to KPEA and KPESA to settle FY19-FY20-FY21 bargaining

 
This KPBSD Collective Bargaining webpage contains links to all past proposals and additional facts. (Updates will be made to this webpage on 8.26.19)
Facebook Live videos of bargaining (videos may be viewed through @KPBSD Facebook links):

Additional PDF handouts during bargaining:

 
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KPBSD and Swan Lake Fire information, 8/21/19

8/21/19, 9:00 PM Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictKPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL
Absences will be excused if parents choose to keep children at home due to air quality, road closures, or wildfire activity in their area.
On Thursday, August 22, 2019, Cooper Landing School will start the day with a two-hour delay start. The final determination about a full day closure will be made no later than 9:00 AM. A two-hour delay start allows the KPBSD to work with multiple agencies to determine the safety of opening or closing a school. If a full day closure is warranted, an announcement is made through the district website, social media, mobile app, school communications, and media partners.
All other KPBSD schools will open on Thursday, August 22, 2019, on a normal schedule.
Bus transportation route change for on Thursday, August 22, 2019, and until further notice:

  • River City Academy, Skyview Middle School, Soldotna High School, and Sterling Elementary Route 108 will not travel further than the Feuding Lane stop, and will be there approximately 6:30 a.m. – 6:45 a.m.
  • Sterling Elementary Route 110 will not travel further than the Feuding Lane stop, and will be there approximately 8:20 – 8:30 a.m.
  • If you have questions contact Apple Bus at 907.262.4900

Swan Lake Fire community meeting is Thursday, 8/22/19, at the Sterling Community Center, 6:00 p.m.
Read the separate 8.21.19 news release about KPBSD sports and travel cancellations
Any additional and unnecessary traffic on the highway impacts fire traffic. Follow KPB Alerts on Facebook, and for additional information on the Ready-Set-Go! Evacuation Guidelines and up-to-date fire information, visit www.kpboem.com or call 907-262-INFO.
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Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Sports and Travel CANCELLATIONS

August 21, 2019
News Release

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Sports and Travel CANCELLATIONS

All OUTDOOR athletics at or hosted by Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools are cancelled until further notice.

All activity related travel between Sterling and Cooper Landing on Sterling Highway is cancelled until further notice.

Due to the unpredictable nature of multiple wildfires and concerns about air quality, all school district OUTDOOR athletic activities are cancelled throughout the Kenai Peninsula until further notice. Additionally, effective August 21, 2019, at 8:00 PM, all activity travel between Sterling and Cooper Landing is prohibited until further notice due to air quality, visibility, emergency vehicles on the road, and the unpredictable waits and closures that are needed for safety and firefighting personnel in the area.
This cancellation affects the 2019 Tsalteshi Invite in Soldotna, and the Kenai Central High School vs. Eielson High School football game hosted by KCHS. Indoor events at schools throughout the Peninsula may still take place.

“This decision places a priority on the safety, health, and well-being of our athletes, coaches, families, and hundreds of students and their families from across the state who planned to travel to compete in sporting events on the Kenai Peninsula,” said Superintendent John O’Brien. “We thank all the emergency responders, firefighters, and agencies who are working together in adverse conditions to keep everyone safe.”

Helpful alerts:

2019-08-21 sports and activity travel cancellations
 
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KPBSD and Swan Lake Fire Update: August 18, 2019, 7:45 PM

August 18, 2019, 7:45 PMKPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools and Swan Lake Fire

Cooper Landing School: KPBSD will make a determination on Monday afternoon based on fire activity and recommendations from OEM if Cooper Landing School will open on Tuesday or postpone the first day of school. This decision and announcement will be made and communicated by Monday evening.
At this time, we anticipate all other KPBSD schools will open on Tuesday for the first day of school on a normal schedule.
KPBSD staff: if the Sterling Highway road closure impacts your ability to arrive to work at your scheduled time on Monday, contact your school administrator. The district recognizes this is a highly unusual and unpredictable fire event, and HR will work with staff who are stranded and unable to make it to work on time.
Nanwalek and Port Graham schools will open for the first day of school on Monday, August 19, 2019, on a normal schedule.
Shelter sites: Seward High School and the Soldotna Sports Center are open to stranded motorists and travelers. Thank you Seward High!
Follow KPB Alerts on Facebook, or visit www.KPBoem.blogspot.com for up-to-date fire information.

News Release: August 15, 2019, Collective Bargaining Update

KPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALLSoldotna, August 15, 2019—The school district met with the Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) and Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA) for several hours on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, for collective bargaining. A tentative agreement was not reached.
On August 13, 2019, the District proposed increasing its portion of the cap contribution to the employee cost of the health care plan by $250 month, or $3,000 per member (employee), per year.
The District agreed to pay $668,748 in a lump sum to the employee’s health insurance reserve account to return it to the minimum required balance of $750,000. This will eliminate the need for individual employees to repay $618 per employee during the FY20 school year.
During bargaining in May, KPEA and KPESA proposed the elimination of the Traditional Health Care Plan, and to migrate everyone to one High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). The District offered to change its current self-funded High Deductible Health Plan’s benefit and coverage structure to mirror either the Fairbanks North Star Borough School Districts’ Plan B or Plan C. It would be the Associations’ choice.
The salary offer is 0.5% in FY19 (for current employees); 1% in FY20; and 2% in FY21. These increases are in addition to the salary increases employees receive for step movement on their respective salary schedules.
The Associations rejected the District proposal, and made a new offer to the District. A cost analysis of their health care offer is needed, and the District contacted its health plan broker to work with the actuary to provide that detailed examination of the Associations proposal. The time frame turnaround for the analysis is not yet known.
The District continues to be asked if there will be a strike.
If the unions decide to call a strike, they are required to provide the Superintendent of Schools with 72-hour notice prior to a work stoppage. The Superintendent of Schools will immediately notify all staff, parents, community partners, contractors, etc. of the start date of the strike. A media release will be issued.
Link: KPBSD proposal to KPEA and KPESA, August 13, 2019
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What will happen if there is a strike in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District?

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
News ReleaseKPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL

What will happen if there is a strike in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District?


Soldotna, August 7, 2019—The school district is hopeful that a tentative agreement will be reached when collective bargaining resumes with the Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) and Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA) on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Soldotna High School library. The district will provide updates following this and any subsequent collective bargaining dates.
The district is receiving questions from school principals, parents, and staff about what would happen if an agreement is not reached, and a union strike occurs.
This communication is provided solely to offer some clarity about what would happen if there is a work stoppage and emergency closure of schools.

  • If the unions decide to call a strike, they are required to provide the Superintendent of Schools with 72-hour notice prior to a work stoppage. The Superintendent of Schools will immediately notify all staff, parents, community partners, contractors, etc. of the start date of the strike. A media release will be issued.
  • EMERGENCY SCHOOLS CLOSURE: During a strike, every KPBSD school will be closed, including Connections Homeschool, charter and alternative schools, and distance delivery programs.
  • An EMERGENCY SCHOOLS CLOSURE encompasses all before and after school activities, sports, community school activities, pools, and any rentals or usage of school facilities. The emergency closure includes Boys and Girls Club activities in every KPBSD school or facility. Only individuals approved by the Superintendent of Schools will have access to KPBSD schools and facilities.
  • The cancellation of all high school sporting activities are subject to the rules of KPSAA, affiliate region boards, and ASAA. These contests may or may not be able to be made up.
  • School session days and staff work days that are missed due to a strike must be made up. The number of days that schools are closed due to a strike will be added to the end of the 2019-2020 school year calendar in May.
  • If a strike were to occur, daily updates will be issued about the EMERGENCY SCHOOLS CLOSURE. Official KPBSD communications will be posted on the KPBSD website and digital media platforms.

New school year registrations and activities will continue on a normal schedule. A change would not occur unless the Superintendent of Schools receives a 72-hour notice of a strike from the Associations.
Questions

  • KPBSD staff: contact the Human Resources Department
  • Media and public: contact KPBSD Communications, Pegge Erkeneff, Director of Communications, Community, and Government Relations, Pegge@KPBSD.org

Read or download this in a PDF
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August Board of Education Public Involvement Opportunities

2019-08-05 BOE August meeting
10:30 a.m. Special Meeting: Executive Session-Negotiations
The public is welcome observe and learn during committee meetings and work sessions, but all public testimony is reserved for the 6:00 PM Board of Education meeting.
Committee Meetings-Redoubt Conference Room

  • 12:30 p.m. Information Committee
  • 1:30 p.m. Charter School Committee
  • 2:30 p.m. Board Policy Committee

 

Worksessions-Assembly Chambers

  • 3:30 p.m. KPB Drinking Water Inspection Change
  • 4:00 p.m. FY20 Budget Update
  • 4:30 p.m. Board Discussion

 

6:00 p.m. Monthly Board Meeting*

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna
Streamed live: http://bit.ly/KPBSDschoolboard  
Online documents: http://bit.ly/BoardDocsKPBSD  
*remote testimony from Homer or Seward will be available, if at least one person signs-up by noon on the Thursday prior to the Monday school board 6:00 PM meeting. Call 714-8836 to RSVP or with questions.

National School Lunch Program in KPBSD Schools

KPBSD logoSoldotna, July 30, 2019—The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) participates in the National School Lunch Program. Applications for free and reduced meals are currently being accepted. Meals will be available to all children at these schools:
Chapman School; Fireweed Academy; Homer High School; Homer Middle School; Kalifornsky Beach Elementary; Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science; Kenai Alternative High School; Kenai Central High School; Kenai Middle School; McNeil Canyon Elementary; Moose Pass School; Mountain View Elementary; Nikiski Middle-High School; Nikiski North Star Elementary; Ninilchik School; Paul Banks Elementary; Redoubt Elementary; River City Academy; Seward Elementary; Seward High School; Seward Middle School; Skyview Middle School; Soldotna Elementary; Soldotna High School; Soldotna Montessori; Sterling Elementary; Susan B. English School; Tustumena Elementary; and West Homer Elementary.
KPBSD Student Nutrition Services webpage: http://bit.ly/StudentNutritionServices
Meals meet nutritional standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Our schools will participate in the National School Lunch Program, After School Snack, and School Breakfast Program.
Meal Prices
Full pay breakfast for K-12th $2.00             Breakfast $.00 for students approved for reduced meals
Full pay elementary lunch $3.00                 Full pay secondary lunch $3.50
Reduced price lunch for K-12th grade $.40
Community Eligible Meals
Students at Homer Flex; Pt. Graham; Nanwalek; Tebughna; and Nikolaevsk qualify for the Community Eligibility Meal program that allows all students to eat a free meal for both breakfast and lunch. Families with students that attend these schools or attend a school that does not have a National School Lunch or Breakfast Program will not fill out the School Meals Application but will fill out the Income Declaration Form.
Parents and Guardians
If your income is less than or equal to the following guidelines you are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. These guidelines are effective July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. If you have children who are approved for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Native Family Assistance Program (NFAP), they are automatically able to receive free meals by filing an application that includes their assistance number from one of those programs. Students who are migrant, homeless, or runaways are automatically eligible and do not need to fill out an application. Foster children receive free meals regardless of the income of the household with which they reside. Note: Medicaid and Denali Kid Care case numbers do not qualify for eligibility.
Link
KPBSD Student Nutrition Services webpage: http://bit.ly/StudentNutritionServices
PDF: July 30, 2019 news release: National School Lunch Program in KPBSD schools

Alaska Income Eligibility Guidelines

July 1, 2019- June 30, 2020


REDUCED PRICE MEALS                                                                              FREE MEALS                                   
185% Federal Poverty Guidelines                                    130% Federal Poverty Guidelines

 
Yearly		  
Monthly		  
Weekly		 Family
Size
 		  
Yearly		  
Monthly		  
Weekly
28,860 1)   2,405 555 1 20,280 1)   1,690    390
39,091 2)   3,258 752 2 27,469 2)   2,290    529
49,321 3)   4,111 949 3 34,658 3)   2,889    667
59,552 4)   4,963  1,146 4 41,847 4)   3,488    805
69,782 5)   5,816 1,342 5 49,036 5)   4,087    943
80,013 6)   6,668 1,539 6 56,225 6)   4,686 1,082
90,243 7)   7,521 1,736 7 63,414 7)   5,285  1,220
100,474 8)   8,373 1,933 8 70,603 8)   5,884 1,358

 
For more information, or to get an application for free or reduced-price school meals, contact KPBSD Student Nutrition Services, 139 Park Avenue, Soldotna AK 99669, or call 907-714-8832. Applications cannot be processed and determined until fully completed. Information provided on applications are subject to verification at any time.
You may apply for meal benefits at any time during the school year if your situation changes. If you become unemployed, your child or children may be able to have free or reduced priced meals based on your unemployment income. If we deny your free or reduced price meals application, we will give you a chance to appeal the decision.
 
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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.  Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
mail:  U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
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