The school district contacted family and staff contacts in PowerSchool associated with Kachemak-Selo, Razdolna, and Voznesenka schools with this message, on Monday evening:
The school district is contacting you with this important information about the Caribou Lake Fire at the request of the Borough Office of Emergency Management
KPB Alerts information, 8/19/19 8:00 pm
The fast moving Caribou Lake Fire, located about 25 miles northeast of Homer in the Fox Creek Drainage, has grown from 50 acres to approximately 150 acres in the last hour. A load of smokejumpers have been deployed to work on structure protection for the nearly 30 structures that are threatened by the fire.
Tactical firefighting aircraft – including Fire Bosses, two heavy airtankers, and the local Alaska Division of Forestry helicopter – are currently assisting firefighters on the ground with both water and retardant drops. The fire is 100 percent active, burning in black spruce, and backing east due to winds from the west.
Because of aircraft working in the area, civilians are asked to stay out of the area for their own safety. Being in the area, even on the ground, can impede fire operations.
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.
KPBSD and Swan Lake Fire Update: August 18, 2019, 7:45 PM
August 18, 2019, 7:45 PM
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
Soldotna, 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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KPBSD proposals to KPEA and KPESA, August 13, 2019
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) proposals to the Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) and Kenai Peninsula Educations Support Association (KPESA) provided during bargaining on Tuesday, August 13, 2019.
PDF: August 13, 2019 Package Proposal to KPEA and KPESA
- handout at bargaining: KPEA and KPESA 5-13-19 4:30 p.m. proposal to KPBSD – district analysis of KPEA and KPESA May 13, 2019, proposal cost of 100% migration, no cap, to High Deductible Health Plan, with elimination of the Traditional Plan.
This KPBSD Collective Bargaining webpage contains links to all past proposals and additional facts. (Updates will be made to this webpage on 8.14.19)
What will happen if there is a strike in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District?
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
News Release
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
August Board of Education Public Involvement Opportunities
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
Soldotna, 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.
Non-Discrimination Statement:
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
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
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
KPBSD inspiration: Elena Basargin, Voznesenka School #ClassOf2019
Voznesenka School
Elena Basargin, Class of 2019
“Elena Basargin is definitely a student to be recognized,” said Principal Wojciak. “Her list of accomplishments is extensive, which exemplifies her perseverance and dedication. Elena is not a person who tends to stick out of the crowd with loud actions or reactions, yet, she does shine when it comes to persistence, responsibility, and accountability. Elena can be counted on to finish what she starts, completing every task with devotion and an innate desire to do it precisely.”
Elena actively involved herself with each opportunity offered. She was a member of the school soccer team, a two-time Project Grad summer institute participant, valued Battle of the Books team member, and Youth Court judge. She was accepted into the Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and accepted multiple scholarships. In addition to her steadfast dedication to school, Elena’s personality is a quintessential match. She is delightful, humorous, and witty. She may not always be the first to catch a joke, but with a deeper understanding, she has the biggest laugh. “Her contagious smile is one that will be missed around our school,” said Principal Wojciak. “With grateful hearts for all she has offered, we wish her the best in her continued success.”
- Connect with the Voznesenka School website
- Kenai Peninsula Borough School District KPBSD.org
The mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is to empower all learners to positively shape their futures.
KPBSD inspiration: Mykenna Foster, Soldotna High School, #ClassOf2019
Soldotna High School
Mykenna Foster, Class of 2019
Mykenna Foster is an industrious, driven, focused, and accomplished young person. She has excellent personal characteristics including honesty, commitment, and intuition. “Academically, Mykenna is conscientious and motivated,” said Principal Tony Graham. “She has studied in our most challenging courses including Honors Language Arts in ninth through eleventh grade, and taken five Advanced Placement courses including AP World History, AP U.S. History, AP Literature & Composition, AP Biology, and AP United States Government & Politics.
Mykenna is a very involved student. She was involved in extra-curricular activities including Cross-Country Running, Nordic Skiing, Soccer, and Student Council. She was senior class president and a member of the National Honor Society.
Outside of school, Mykenna is an equally involved young person. She is the Public Relations Director for the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Student Ambassador Program and is the Student Representative for the City of Soldotna City Council. She has volunteered at the Food Bank of Alaska, the Soldotna Public Library, and at Central Peninsula Hospital. Mykenna has been involved in pageants and became Miss Alaska Pre-Teen and Miss Alaska Hostess. In addition to all of her many involvements, Mykenna has held a part time job throughout her high school career.
After high school, Mykenna plans to study Sports Medicine and Kinesthesiology at Boise State University. “Mykenna is a young person of great quality,” said Principal Graham. “We are confident that she will attain any goals she sets her mind to and we look forward to hearing about her future accomplishments.”
- Connect with the Soldotna High School website
- Connect with Soldotna High School on Facebook
- Kenai Peninsula Borough School District KPBSD.org
The mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is to empower all learners to positively shape their futures.
KPBSD inspiration: Meghan Mullaly, Seward High School #ClassOf2019
Seward High School
Meghan Mullaly, Class of 2019
A four-year member of both the swim and soccer teams, Ms. Meghan Mullaly also represented her class and school in student council. She won significant recognition and awards in every juried art show in which she contributed, supports her school and classmates through all of her volunteerism and leading by example. Within this level of athletic, artistic, and civil engagement, Meghan still maintained a 4.023 grade point average.
Nearing the end of the school year, Principal Walker had an epiphany when he realized that, “No matter what, Ms. Meghan Mullaly is going to make sure that things get done correctly!” He recognized that Meghan worked on every dance since she began her first year—even though she was not always a formal a member of the group hosting the dance. He made a final observation during graduation set-up when a paper was slightly misaligned and she asked him to correct it. This final act of service to her class and the school created a graduation of which she and the entire community were proud.
Meghan will put her artistic and academic prowess to work at Lindfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. “We at Seward High are quite confident that everyone at Lindfield will quickly recognize that they will also be as proud as we are to claim her as one of their own,” said Principal Walker.
- Read the student newspaper, SHS Today: The Student News Site of Seward High School
- Connect with the Seward High School website
- Kenai Peninsula Borough School District KPBSD.org
The mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is to empower all learners to positively shape their futures.
Read the SHS Today story: The Meghan Mullaly You Don’t Know
