Category: News Release

Collective Bargaining Update: May 16, 2019

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Collective Bargaining Update: May 16, 2019
Soldotna, May 16, 2019—The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) met with the Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA) and Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) for collective bargaining on May 16, 2019.
The District did not accept the KPEA and KPESA May 13, 2019, last best offer, and proposed separate counter offers to each Association.

Each Association rejected the District’s May 16, 2019, counter offer.
No further bargaining has been scheduled.
Following bargaining this morning, the Associations distributed a quote to members and on social media attributed to the District’s bargaining team spokesperson. This is the accurate context of the quote, “…put up or shut up…” transcribed from the May 16, 2019, recording during bargaining.
Listen to the May 16, 2019 audio clip from collective bargaining:

“We have listened to Mr. Fischer and others talk about how the broker has been overly, well I don’t want to say excessive, in its recommendations to or analysis as to what the costs are going to be in the next school year. We think the broker has accurately, to the best of the information available to it, considered all of the factors that go in to a health care program. We believe that the request by the association that somehow, the district should accept your proposals and not have a cap, is not accurate.
We do not believe that what you’ve told us, that in your opinion the costs are going to go down next year to such an extent that even though the district may be giving up its cap, it’s not going to be impacted by that. We don’t believe that. We don’t agree with that.
But we do know, that if you agree with that, then your health care committee on the HDHP has the ability to set your members rates at whatever it wants. If you think the $367 rate that the hundred percent migration comes out to per month for the high deductible plan comes out to, and will not be what it’s going to be shown when it comes to June 30, 2020, or whenever, March of next year, set it at $200. Have every one of your members pay $200 per month. Have your health care committee going crazy for the first nine months of next year to see how it can reduce the cost. But if you believe the broker is not right, then put up and shut up or shut up on that. Do what you want the district to do. You want us to pay the higher cost if the broker is accurate–but why don’t you pay the lower cost while you think the broker is wrong, and you’ve solved the problem of your memberships costs next year.
So based upon our analysis, our review, we have a proposal for you. For each of the Associations. We have told you that we will not remove a cap, and we’re not removing a cap. We’ve told you that we respect KPESA’s determination that it wants to stick with KPEA, but our proposals remain separate.”
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Collective Bargaining Update: May 13, 2019

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Collective Bargaining Update: May 13, 2019
Soldotna, May 13, 2019—Proposals were exchanged between The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD), and the Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA) and Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) during collective bargaining on May 13, 2019. The Associations rejected the District proposals.

Collective Bargaining will continue on Thursday, May 16, 2019, beginning at 9:00 AM.
Link
School district Collective Bargaining webpage, includes Advisory Arbitration April 2019 report to KPBSD, KPEA, KPESA documents, and most recent proposals.

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Collective Bargaining: May 8, 2019 KPBSD proposals to KPESA and KPEA

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Soldotna, May 8, 2019—The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) proposals to Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA) and Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA)
KPBSD proposal to KPESA*
Attached is the District proposal to KPESA that accepts the recommendations in the Arbitrator’s report.
The proposal was rejected by KPESA at bargaining on May 8, 2019.
KPBSD proposal to KPEA**
Attached is the District proposal to KPEA that accepts the recommendations in the Arbitrator’s report.
The proposal was rejected by KPEA at bargaining on May 8, 2019.
Link
School district Collective Bargaining webpage, includes Advisory Arbitration April 2019 report to KPBSD, KPEA, KPESA documents.
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*KPBSD proposal to KPESA

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) proposal to
Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA)
to settle the FY19, FY20, FY21 bargaining
The current agreement continues for FY 19-21 except for all previous TAs that modify existing language.  The Advisory Arbitrator’s Report is accepted as follows, with applicability to those employed on the date of ratification.

  • A change to the duration for July 1, 2018-June 30, 2021.
  • A new shift differential for KPESA, for Article 17, Section A in the amounts of 40 cents per hour for split shift and 60 cents per hour for graveyard shift.
  • A revised health insurance Article 27 for KPESA that sets forth the 70/30 split over the cap, as recommended by the Advisory Arbitrator.
  • For FY19, KPESA employees on the traditional plan as of December 31, 2018, will receive a refund of health care contribution overpayment as a result of the new 70/30 in the amount of $920. FY19 retro payment will be made as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, June 28, 2019.
  • For FY19, KPESA employees on the high deductible health plan as of December 31, 2018, will receive a refund of health care contribution overpayment as a result of the new 70/30 in the amount of $600. FY19 retro payment will be made as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, June 28, 2019.
  • The Traditional Plan will no longer be an option for employees with an initial date of hire after May 31, 2019.
  • Salary schedule increases in the amounts of .5 percent in FY19, 1 percent in FY20, and 2 percent in FY21.
  • KPESA employees not receiving a step increase will receive an additional .5 percent in FY19, 1 percent in FY20, and 2 percent in FY21, off base salary in that year’s Column H.
  • FY19 retro salary payments will be made as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, June 28, 2019.
  • Addition of Article 37 Extracurricular Programs, attached.

This proposal expires May 31, 2019.

**KPBSD proposal to KPEA

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) proposal to
Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA)
to settle the FY19, FY20, FY21 bargaining
The current agreement continues for FY 19-21 except for all previous TAs that modify existing language.  The Advisory Arbitrator’s Report is accepted as follows, with applicability to those employed on the date of ratification.

  • A change to the duration for July 1, 2018-June 30, 2021.
  • Salary schedule increases in the amounts of .5 percent in FY19, 1 percent in FY20 and 2 percent in FY21.
  • KPEA employees at C+90/M-T not receiving a step increase will receive an additional .5 percent in FY19, 1 percent in FY20, and 2 percent in FY21 based on the same year’s salary in the C+90/M-T.
  • The Traditional Plan will no longer be an option for employees with an initial date of hire after May 31, 2019.
  • FY19 retro salary payments will be made as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, June 28, 2019.

 

News Release: Arbitrator’s Advisory Report

KPBSD_2017-2022_StrategicPlan_SealSoldotna, May 2, 2019—the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) received the Advisory Arbitration Report. The two days of Advisory Arbitration took place February 26-27, 2019, with the Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) and the Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA).
District administration and school board members are reviewing and analyzing Arbitrator Dorothy Fallon’s Report.
KPBSD, KPEA, and KPESA will meet to continue bargaining on May 8, 2019.
The Arbitrator’s Advisory Report can be viewed or downloaded from the KPBSD collective bargaining webpage, or via the KPBSD homepage from a link in the Community Interest section.
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News release: School board approves interim Superintendent of Schools

KPBSD_2017-2022_StrategicPlan_SealBoard of Education approves Mr. John O’Brien to become interim KPBSD Superintendent of Schools

Soldotna, April 18, 2019—At a special board of education meeting, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District school board voted 8-0 to amend and approve John O’Brien’s FY20 contract to officially place Mr. John O’Brien as the KPBSB Interim Superintendent on July 1, 2019 until June 30, 2020.
John O'Brien“I humbly accept this appointment as Interim Superintendent and am 100% committed to work on behalf of the entire Kenai Peninsula community to achieve positive educational outcomes for our students,” said Mr. O’Brien. “The Board of Education asked me to step up to help our school district through this challenging transition period in our state. I am committed to the students, parents, and staff of this District and will work with everyone to provide a high quality educational experience for our students through the continued implementation of our five-year strategic plan. We clearly have many difficult choices ahead of us as a District due to the fiscal uncertainty in our state. I am hopeful that by persistently working together we will emerge from this storm stronger, more resilient, and more cohesive.”
 
An educator since 1993, Mr. O’Brien began his career twenty-six years ago as a special education teacher in Maine. While an educator in Maine, he served schools as an athletic director, assistant principal, principal, and as Maine’s Distinguished Educator for Teacher Quality at the Maine Department of Education. In 2005, he and his family moved to Nikiski, Alaska, where he joined the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District as the educational and instructional leader of Nikiski Middle-High School. In 2011, he left the role of school principal to serve as the director of secondary education for the KPBSD, and in 2015 became the assistant superintendent of instruction. Mr. O’Brien holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. In his free time he takes every opportunity he can to chase rainbow trout with a fly rod.
Board President Penny Vadla said, “I have every confidence that Interim Superintendent John O’Brien is committed to move our District forward through these challenging and demanding times. Superintendent O’Brien will work diligently to ensure our five year strategic plan and our vision are kept intact; and with the collaborative efforts of the District Leadership team and the Board of Education, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will continue our commitment to provide a quality educational experience for all KPBSD students.”
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KPBSD 2019 Graduate Inspiration Profiles

“The mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is to empower all learners to positively shape their futures.”

FY19 Graduate Profiles 2019 First Q recap
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District graduates are creative problem-solvers, neighbors, business owners, teachers, parents, volunteers, innovators, doctors, and more. Your school district is a positive investment and validates its vision to, “inspire all learners to pursue their dreams in a rigorous, relevant and responsive environment.”
Every week KPBSD features a graduate, if you need some inspiration, click on one of the  2019 profiles you may have missed! (Click on the hyperlinked name to read the story.)
Scott Davis
Kenai Central High School, Class of 1977
Paul Ostrander
Soldotna High School, Class of 1986
Dean Carignan
Kenai Central High School, Class of 1987
Matthew Pyhala, DC
Homer High School, Class of 1993
Carlyn Nichols
Seward High School, Class of 1997
Kersten Gomez
Soldotna High School, Class of 1998
Katie Koester
Homer High School, Class of 1998
Stephanie Queen
Kenai Central High, Class of 2000
Kristin Bates
Seward High School, Class of 2004
Megan Mazurek
Nikiski Middle-High School, Class of 2005
Jeffrey Dolifka
Skyview High School, Class of 2006
Joel Isaak
Skyview High School, Class of 2007
Claire Neaton
Homer High School, Class of 2008
Emma Laukitis
Homer High School, Class of 2009
Nianiella Dorvall
Nikoleavsk School, Class of 2014
Do you have a story tip about a KPBSD graduate to profile in our Wednesday Inspiration? Kindly email Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD communications liaison, Pegge@KPBSD.org.
 

Seward area schools: community meeting and survey

KPBSD_2017-2022_StrategicPlan_SealSeward High School Principal, Trevan Walker, Seward Middle School Principal, Jenny Martin, William H. Seward Elementary School Principal, Alan Haskins, district administration, and the school board request your thoughts and input about potentially consolidating Seward Middle School (6-8) into Seward High School (9-12), and William H. Seward Elementary (6th). No decisions have been made, and your thoughts are valuable.
Exploring the difficult concept of school consolidations or closures is a challenging task. However, with fiscal uncertainty at the state and borough levels, it is an act of due diligence to have the conversations in order to learn community concerns and thoughts, and share with families and staff. In that light, KPBSD is being proactive to explore a number of possibilities to meet potentially significant funding cuts in all areas of our district, including southern, central, and eastern peninsula schools.

  • The high school has the capacity to accommodate the middle school students at this time, and this consolidation simplifies transportation issues.
  • Closing the school would offer an annual savings of approximately $409,000 in operating costs

 

Seward area schools community meeting:
April 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.

A community meeting for families, students, and staff will be April 11, 2019, at 6:30 PM, in the William H. Seward Elementary School. The meeting will be hosted by the school principals and Dr. Christine Ermold, KPBSD Director of Human Resources and Professional Development.
Seward Survey: Parent, student, and staff survey is open April 9 – 16, 2019 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/27PHGPS
Seward 2019-04 QR_code_27PHGPS (1)
Timing of any potential school consolidations in the Seward or Homer areas is unknown, and at this time, school closures or consolidations would be dependent upon funding from the state in FY20 and beyond. It is unlikely that school closures would occur in the Seward or Homer area as fast as the 2019-2020 school year, unless the Governor’s proposed budget stands.
Link: School consolidation discussions webpage and report
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Homer High and Homer Middle schools: community meeting and survey

KPBSD_2017-2022_StrategicPlan_SealHomer High School Principal Doug Waclawski, Homer Middle School Principal Kari Dendurent, district administration, and the school board request your thoughts and input about potentially consolidating Homer Middle School and Homer High School. No decisions have been made, and your thoughts are valuable.
Exploring the difficult concept of school consolidations or closures is a challenging task. However, with fiscal uncertainty at the state and borough levels, it is an act of due diligence to have the conversations in order to learn community concerns and thoughts, and share with families and staff. In that light, KPBSD is being proactive to explore a number of possibilities to meet potentially significant funding cuts in all areas of our district, including southern, central, and eastern peninsula schools.

  • The high school has the capacity to accommodate the middle school students at this time, and this consolidation simplifies transportation issues
  • Closing the school would offer annual savings of approximately $459,000 in operating costs, and avoid deferred maintenance costs of approximately $10,000,000

 

Homer High School and Homer Middle School community meeting: April 15, 2019, 6:00 p.m.

A community meeting for families, students, and staff will be April 15, 2019, 6:00 p.m., Homer High School Commons. The meeting will be hosted by the school principals and Mr. John Pothast, KPBSD Director of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Homer Survey: Parent, student, and staff survey is open April 9 – 16, 2019
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2TJG85C
Homer 2019-04 QR_code_2TJG85C
Timing of any potential school consolidations in the Seward or Homer areas is unknown, and at this time, school closures or consolidations would be dependent upon funding from the state in FY20 and beyond. It is unlikely that school closures would occur in the Seward or Homer area as fast as the 2019-2020 school year, unless the Governor’s proposed budget stands.
Link: School consolidation discussions webpage and report
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Superintendent of Schools leadership position

News Release:
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District:
Superintendent of Schools leadership position
Soldotna, April 5, 2019—On April 5, 2019, after five hours of executive session, Board of Education Vice-President Zen Kelly moved to authorize President Vadla to offer the position of interim superintendent of schools and negotiate a contract with assistant superintendent of instruction, Mr. John O’Brien. Clerk Dan Castimore seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
President Vadla said,


“On behalf of the Board, I extend a sincere thank you to the candidates, and to the individuals who provided public input during this process.”

 
Link:
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education webpage
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Your voice is essential: state lawmakers want to know where you stand

News Release: Your Voice is Needed
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Community schools, sports and activities, and effective class sizes are critical to continue successful outcomes for K-12 schools on the Kenai Peninsula. In February, the Governor proposed a budget substitute for the 2019-2020 school year that will result in a cut of $22.4 million from KPBSD schools. 

However, the Governor and state legislators want to hear from you about that proposed budget before it is set in stone. Therefore, now is the time to join the conversation and contribute to positive outcomes for our young people through these opportunities to speak up about what you value in schools and education funding:
 

Saturday, March 23, 2019

 

Monday, March 25, 2019

  • 4:00 – 5:00 PM: The Birds Eye View weekly KSRM 920 AM radio show, guest Governor Michael J. Dunleavy. Call in number: 907-283-5811, listen live online

 

  • 6:00 – 8:00 PM: The Cannery Lodge, Kenai. Statewide Discussion for a Permanent Fiscal Plan with Governor Dunleavy and team. Event is full, wait list only.*

 

“One thing is clear, in order to be successful, we must have the engagement and support of the Alaskan people.”
– Governor Michael J. Dunleavy

“Cuts and efficiencies are possible and necessary, but these proposed reductions would have significant impacts on elders and youth, rural and urban residents, and every facet of our economy. Because of this stark reality, all budget decisions must be informed by input from people across our state.”
– House Speaker Bryce Edgmon

*KDLL 91.9 FM public radio will stream these events live.
District administration, principals, and the Board of Education identified cuts that will be necessary if the Governor’s proposed budget is adopted. This list is $5 million shy of the proposed $22.4 million cut.
2019_March KPBSD 22.4 million in proposed cuts
 
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