Tag: Alaska

Tustumena Elementary is Recognized as a 2019 National ESEA Distinguished School

Join the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District to celebrate Tustumena Elementary educators, students, and families! One hundred schools nationwide earned recognition as a National ESEA Distinguished School in 2019, and Tustumena Elementary School is recognized in the category of exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years!

In the small coastal area of Kasilof, Alaska, Principal Doug Hayman often refers to Tustumena Elementary School as Camelot. With a population of 549 (2010), a post office, mercantile, gas station, church, and school tucked along the aquamarine Kasilof River flowing to Cook Inlet, the staff and 145 students and their families make the school the place to gather, connect, and learn.

“Relationships between the teachers and the parents at Tustumena Elementary is strong, and by working together to promote this strong bond, we have developed an atmosphere that leads to success. Tustumena has always provided the best education possible. In order to do this, we have worked to keep class sizes down, meet the needs of all students, and draw the best teachers available. The test scores in recent years have shown that all of these factors and more have helped Tustumena become an extremely successful school. Data driven decision-making has been an important part of our overall school planning. Regular Benchmark testing fuels our Intervention process. Beginning with the first I-Team Day and ending with the last day of school, the Intervention and Special Education programs are key to assuring that all students are getting their individual instructional needs met.”

Principal Doug Hayman

Tustumena Elementary School and Evergreen Elementary School in the Wrangell School District were the two Alaska schools named National ESEA Distinguished Schools by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.

“It is an honor to recognize these two outstanding schools in our state. Both Tustumena Elementary and Evergreen Elementary have demonstrated effective strategies to ensure student success. I am proud to congratulate the educators, students, and families of these communities on the recognition of their hard work and dedication to Alaska’s students.”  

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) Commissioner Johnson

Alaska identifies eligible schools for the award based on their students’ performance on the Performance Evaluation for Alaska’s Schools (PEAKS) assessment in English language arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Identified schools chose to apply for the honor, providing evidence of effectiveness in evidence-based instructional strategies; providing opportunities for all children to achieve; coordination of Title I with other programs; professional development of staff; and partnerships with parents, families, and communities.

“The faculty at Tustumena has long been recognized in the community for the steadfast dedication to students and their families. It is exciting to see them being recognized at the state and national level for the academic outcomes resulting from that dedication. To be recognized as having high student performance for two or more years is especially impressive because the PEAKS assessment has undergone some changes. While other schools in the state have grappled with declining student performance due to the academically challenging standards we have here in Alaska, it is worthy of celebrating that students in the KPBSD, and at Tustumena Elementary, especially, are doing so well as they advance toward the opportunities their futures will hold!”

Dr. Christine Ermold, KPBSD Director of Federal Programs and Professional Development

photos: Tustumena Elementary, December 2019, Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD

About ESEA Distinguished Schools Program
www.ESEAnetwork.org.
The National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Schools Program is a project of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators that publicly recognizes schools for their positive educational services. It highlights the efforts of schools across the country making significant improvements for their students. Because only two schools per state can be selected as a National ESEA Distinguished School each year, this award is an especially prestigious honor for the schools, staff, and students.

In the KPBSD, Tustumena Elementary joins Nikolaevsk School which was recognized in 2015.

Links

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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Priorities: Which KPBSD school programs and services do you value?

News Release
Community Budget development meetings – October 13, 2016
How to best prioritize programs and services in KPBSD?
kpbsd-community-budget-meetings-hl
Soldotna, October 3, 2016—Does a quality education and the future success for every young person living on the Kenai Peninsula matter to you? If so, KPBSD needs you to participate in the budget development meetings taking place at 31 KPBSD school sites on Thursday, October 13, 2016, at 6:00 p.m.*
Here are two reasons why:

  1. Learn how KPBSD crafts a multi-million dollar budget in response to the fiscal reality impacting all aspects of state government and funding for public education.
  2. Provide feedback: Which areas of your school site budget could be reduced in 2017-2018 if there is a 3 to 20 percent reduction in education funding revenue from the State of Alaska. What are your suggestions to legislators about funding shortfall solutions? What matters, what doesn’t?

“As the State of Alaska works to develop a sustainable long-term fiscal plan, our district will continue to provide the highest quality educational experience it can within that state plan,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “We are asking all of our stakeholders to be engaged in the budget process to help prioritize programs and services to be offered in our district. Some decisions may be difficult, but there are many opportunities too. Ultimately, our budget process will help inform our state and borough leaders of the needs our schools have to provide an excellent education. I look forward to beginning this discussion and supporting all stakeholders to participate in the district and state planning process.”

Parents, staff, students, business partners, community members, and elected officials are invited to attend the districtwide community budget development meeting on Thursday, October 13, 2016, 6:00 p.m.,* at these KPBSD school sites:

Aurora Borealis Charter School – K-Alt main meeting room;
Chapman – Mr. Sharp’s room;
Cooper Landing – Classroom 4;
Fireweed Academy – Big Fireweed;
Homer High School – Homer High Library;
Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science – Library;
K-Beach Elementary – Room 18;
Kenai Alternative – K-Alt main meeting room;
Kenai Central High School – KCHS Library;
Kenai Middle School – KCHS Library;
McNeil Canyon – McNeil Canyon School;
Moose Pass – Seward Middle Auditeria;
Mountain View Elementary – Library;
Nikiski North Star – Room 13;
Nikolaevsk – Room 11;
Ninilchik School – Library;
Port Graham – Room 2 – Secondary Classroom;
Redoubt Elementary – SoHi Library;
River City Academy – ELA Room;
Seward Elementary – Seward Middle Auditeria;
Seward High School – Seward Middle Auditeria;
Seward Middle School – Seward Middle Auditeria;
Skyview Middle School – Room B104;
Soldotna Elementary – Library;
Soldotna High School – SoHi Library;
Soldotna Montessori –Room 414;
Soldotna Prep – SoHi Library;
Sterling Elementary – Room 162A;
Susan B. English – Commons area;
Tebughna – Room #12;
Tustumena – Library;
West Homer Elementary – Homer High Library
*variances
October 13, 2016: Homer Flex – 5:30 p.m.,  ELA Room; Hope – 3:45 p.m., Sandra Barron’s room; Nikiski Middle-High School – 5:30 p.m., Library; Paul Banks School – 3:15 p.m., Paul Banks Lounge
October 17, 2016: Homer Middle School – 3:30 p.m., Conference Room; Nanwalek – 4:30 p.m., Room 110, Secondary Room
October 19, 2016: Kachemak-Selo, Razdolna, Voznesenka – 4:00 p.m., Voznesenka School

“Our annual budget is one of the most important things we do each year,” said Dave Jones, assistant superintendent of instructional support. “It is important for people to understand the need to pass a multi-revenue fiscal plan this session. We want to give our parents, staff, students, and community members a chance to learn about our budget, participate in the process, and offer input. The meeting on October 13 will be an important step in the process to develop the FY17 budget. We hope to see a large turnout at all our schools across the district.”

Participant input will be synthesized and presented to the KPBSD school board during November and December board meetings and work sessions.
Link
KPBSD Finance Department

New Learning Opportunity: iPads for Orcas

“iPads for Orcas” Celebration Rolls Out New Learning Opportunities for Port Graham School

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Wednesday, September 21, 2016, rolled out iPads for Orcas, a festive celebration in Port Graham School. Students, staff, community, and guests gathered in anticipation for every student to be presented with their very own iPad for use in school. Before presenting the devices, Principal Kleine explained to the joyful audience how this project came to life.
Until just a few years ago, Port Graham was not only geographically isolated—technology more typical of what students on the road system experience was not available, as the internet was exceedingly slow. In 2014, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District subsidized a microwave broadband upgrade in Nanwalek and Port Graham, allowing much faster access. As students and staff watched neighboring Nanwalek School enter a new way of learning through the Apple ConnectED Grant, staff and site council supported efforts for iPads to become a reality for Port Graham students.
img_1931Through requests, Port Graham School was awarded donations from two corporations that important to Port Graham residents. Chugach Alaska Corporation donated $10,000, and through the Paluwek Heritage Foundation, Port Graham Corporation provided $4200, the remainder of the funds that would have provided a 1:1 implementation. However, Port Graham experienced a population explosion this fall, growing from the expected 29 students to 36! Determined to put ipads into every student’s hands, the staff opted to use rollover funds from the school budget for the remaining iPads.

Principal Kleine expressed thanks to everyone who helped this innovation, and invited students to be like the orcas for which they were named. She invited them to swim into the digital world, exploring safe places on the internet, and apps that would help them increase their skills. She encouraged them to dive as deeply as they dared into their research, learning to think more deeply as well. In this celebratory environment, she asked everyone to be partners in this new way of learning, and “to keep a joy of learning in our school, using our strength of helping each other as we leap into this new world of technology!” Teacher Devin Michel read the vision statement for the project, encapsulating the ideas by asking students to “Develop the way we think, the way we work, and the tools we use to expand our minds.”

port-graham-school
As words of gratitude and invitations to learn were presented, students were signaled to express their joy with kazoos and pompoms whenever Principal Kleine sounded her tambourine. Finally, each student’s name was announced in a commencement-like manner, and elementary teacher Ms. Devin Michel presented each with an iPad, followed by congratulatory hand-shakes from Second Chief Martin Norman, site council secretary and staff member Heather O’Domin, and secondary teacher Colby Way.
img_1894Title VI tutor Camille Parry guided students in front of a poster thanking Chugach Alaska and Port Graham Corporation. After a group photo, and cake, students went to classrooms to turn on their iPads and take their new devices for a spin. The activities were riddled with smiles and laughter as the “iPads for Orcas” came to life!
Story contributed by Nanwalek School and Port Graham School Principal Nancy Kleine

 
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Community member Amy Hankins receives Golden Apple

Golden Apple recipient, Ms. Amy Hankins
Golden Apple recipient, Ms. Amy Hankins

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | April 4, 2016
Ms. Amy Hankins, Community Member

Ms. Amy Hankins consistently demonstrates deep support for the students of Seward schools. She has served on the Seward School Site Based Council and is currently serving as the Arts Chair on the board of the Seward Parent-Teacher-Association (PTA). In addition to serving on the PTA board, Amy generously offers her time and talents as the chair of the PTA’s Arts committee. This committee is charged with making the arts available to Seward area students. Last year, Amy spearheaded an 18 month effort to bring Jabali, an African dance troop, from Mombasa, Kenya, to Seward. She coordinated all aspects for this production, including fundraising, PR, ticket printing and sales, transportation and lodging, so that this cultural extravaganza could be enjoyed by the community of Seward and all three Seward schools, along with students from Connections Homeschool and Moose Pass School. This year she spearheaded Scrap Arts music to come to Seward in April 2016.

Amy also has a passion for technology. In 2013, Amy joined with two other staff members to lead a community-based computer programing club for youth aged nine to 18. The Seward Community Library and Museum generously hosts club meetings and activities. Amy’s work with this group eventually evolved into her work with Lego Robotics in the schools.  Amy works with two Lego Robotics groups in Seward: one meets after-school and one meets during school.

The after-school Lego Robotics team, comprised of Seward Elementary and Seward Middle School students, and a homeschool student, met last year to learn to build and program Lego vehicles to perform specific tasks. Co-coach Leigh Ray said, “Amy leads the club by exuding enthusiasm for coding and robotics, which helps the kids get unstuck when the programming gets tough! She is becoming a very accomplished robotics programmer herself!” In 2015, the team competed in the first Lego League regional competition in Anchorage. They were then invited to return and compete in the state championship. At the end of the regional competition in Anchorage, Amy received the Coach Award for her excellence in coaching.

At Seward Elementary, Amy introduced Lego Robotics during the 2013-2014 school year. She worked with approximately 55 second grade students, teaching building and programing skills. This year, she has continued the program with the same students, who are now in third grade, as well as teaching it to all of the current second graders. Students enjoy the challenge of building and coding. Second grader Van Shank says, “It was fun programing the computers. Mrs. Hankins did a really good job.” In addition, Amy began training a teacher to continue the program as the current third graders move up a grade. “We value the way Amy looks for opportunities to enhance the education of all students in Seward through her ongoing dedication to the arts and technology,” said Principal David Kingsland.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Ms. Amy Hankins for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Ms. Rankin was nominated by Principal David Kingland, on behalf of Seward Elementary School.
Link
Golden Apple recipients

Ms. Amy Hankins and Board Member Lynn Hohl
Ms. Amy Hankins and Board Member Lynn Hohl

How-to invest millions in public education on the Kenai

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District News ReleasePrint
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
Does a quality education and the future success for every young person living on the Kenai Peninsula matter to you? 
Yes? ... please participate in the budget development meeting which takes place at 23 KPBSD school sites on Thursday, October 15, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. Here are three reasons why:

  1. Up front learning about how KPBSD is crafting a multi-million dollar budget in response to the fiscal reality impacting all aspects of state government and funding for public education
  2. Give your feedback about areas of the budget that can be reduced or should be expanded, and suggestions for legislators about solutions to our funding shortfalls. What matters, what doesn’t?
  3. Q & R: question and response opportunity

“The district is facing a fiscal gap for our 2016-2017 budget,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “We are prioritizing the programs and services we will be able to offer in our schools. The district may need to make difficult decisions depending upon the level of funding we receive from the state and borough. I encourage the public to use this meeting as an opportunity to learn about this fiscal reality, and to think in terms of what we can do differently to produce a balanced budget.”

Parents, staff, students, business partners, community members, and elected officials are invited to attend the budget development meeting on Thursday, October 15, 2015, 6:00 p.m., via MS Lync, at any of these KPBSD school sites:

Cooper Landing – Room 4; Homer Middle School – Library; Hope School – Sandra Barron’s classroom; Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science – Library; K-Beach Elementary – Room 18; Kenai Alternative School- Front office; Kenai Central High School – Library; Moose Pass School – Katie Abraham’s class; Mountain View Elementary – Library; Nikiski Middle – High School – Library; Nikolaevsk School – Library; Ninilchik School – Library; Port Graham School – Secondary classroom; Seward Elementary School – Library; Skyview Middle School – Library; Soldotna Elementary – Library; Soldotna High School – Library; Soldotna Montessori School – Office; Soldotna Prep School – Library; Sterling Elementary – Mrs. Van Slyke’s room; Susan B. English School – Commons; Tebughna School – Room 6; and Tustumena School – Library.
money“Our annual budget is one of the most important things we do each year,” said Dave Jones, assistant superintendent of instructional support. “We want to give our parents, staff, students, and community members a chance to learn about our budget, participate in the process, and offer input. The meeting on October 15 will be an important step in the process to develop the FY17 budget. We hope to see a large turnout at all our schools across the district.”
Participant input will be synthesized and presented to the KPBSD school board during November and December board meetings and worksessions.
Links

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Budget cuts

June 16 CARD STREET FIRE UPDATE Evacuations map + 1500 acres burned

#CardStreetFire Evacuation Areas, June 16 2015, 12:30pm
#CardStreetFire Evacuation Areas, June 16 2015, 12:30pm

From Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management:
The map indicates the evacuation perimeter for affected Sterling and Funny River subdivisions. The map will be updated as information changes and is available at www.kpb.us and www.facebook.com/kenai.peninsula.borough

CURRENT EVACUATION AREA | June 16, 2015, 12:30 p.m.

  • Sterling area includes subdivisions from Card Street EAST to Kenai National Refuge boundary at Sterling Hwy. mile 76 and SOUTH to the Kenai River. This still includes Feuding Lane and Kenai Keyes.
  • Funny River area includes subdivisions off the end of Salmon Run Drive to the end of Fisherman’s Road and Dow Island residents.
  • Printable PDF: Evacuation Areas June 16, 2015, 12:30 p.m.

Please stay away from the evacuation areas and use caution when driving through smoke or passing fire apparatus. Do not attempt to return to evacuated areas. Updates will be provided to all local radio stations, Rapid Notify and KPB Facebook page when evacuations are lifted.

ONLINE LINKS

Approximate Fire Perimiter 1500 acres
Approximate #CardStreetFire Perimeter, 1500 acres, June 16, 2015, 12:00 p.m.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough provided this Alaska Forestry  update:

  • Approximately 1500 acres have burned. Three helicopters and three fixed wing aircraft and 50 crew are assigned to the fire. Air attack and retardant will resume this morning. Five hot shot crews are arriving late afternoon today and the Type 2 team is expected tomorrow.
  • Six structures are confirmed lost, and Forestry is currently conducting structural, damage assessments. The borough will work with the assessing department to confirm addresses and contact home owners directly just as soon as we receive the information.
  • Once the Type 2 team is operational, perimeter mapping will be provided. Until that time, the Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team has a mapping tool that tracks fire activity at http://afsmaps.blm.gov/imf_fire/imf.jsp?site=fire

The borough will continue to provide resources and support as requested.

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Helpful Facebook links:

 

Take Your Child to School Week

CONTACT: PEGGE ERKENEFF, KPBSD Communication Specialist | 907.714.8888

NEWS RELEASE
Take Your Child to School Week

Soldotna, August 15, 2014—Most KPBSD schools begin Tuesday, August 19, 2014, which is perfect timing to act on the proclamation by Governor Sean Parnell, making August 18 – 22, 2014, as Take Your Child to School Week in the state of Alaska.

“I am pleased to learn that the Governor is proclaiming next week as Take Your Child to School Week. The importance of parental involvement in children’s education is well documented; let’s use the proclamation as a motivation to recommit and to strengthen this involvement.” – Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent

A new school year begins! Parents, relatives, older brothers, sisters, and friends … will you walk, bike, drive, or ride to school with a K-12 student during the first week of school?
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Take Your Child to School Week
WHEREAS, Alaska’s children are our greatest and most valuable resource, and their education is essential to the future of our great state; and
WHEREAS, the end of August marks the beginning of a new school year – a chance for families, school staff, and community groups to recommit themselves to supporting students as they continue to learn and grow; and
WHEREAS, studies indicate that when students feel supported, they tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and enjoy school more; and
WHEREAS, parental involvement plays a large role in a child’s classroom success; research shows that students with engaged parents are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, enroll in higher level classes, stay enrolled in school, pass their classes, graduate, and go on to postsecondary education; and
WHEREAS, Alaskans and Alaskan schools are keenly aware of the importance of the family-school partnership in helping our children reach their full potential; and
WHEREAS, expanded and enhanced family engagement in schools across the state helps parents build positive relationships with school staff, connect with other families in the school environment, and feel like welcome members of a friendly school community; and
WHEREAS, as parents, guardians, and community members, let us set a strong example for each other, our children, and their teachers and schools, and demonstrate our involvement in our children’s education throughout the school year. We can start by taking them back to school the first week of the school year.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim
August 18-22, 2014 as:
Take Your Child to School Week
in Alaska, and encourage parents, guardians, relatives of Alaska’s schoolchildren, and community members to foster the learning, growth, and success of the children in their lives through continual encouragement, support, and engagement.
08 14 14 Take Your Child to School Week
Links
KPBSD pupil transportation, http://bit.ly/TransportationInfo
Take Your Child to School Week proclamation by Governor Sean Parnell, http://1.usa.gov/1t4Cu1E
Volunteer in a KPBSD school, http://bit.ly/VolunteerInKPBSD
PDF August 15, 2014:  News Release: Take Your Child to School Week
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This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory
 
 

Homer High School intensive needs classroom receives 2014 Inclusive Practice Award

Homer High IN Team 2014

“The intensive needs (IN) team at Homer High School is outstanding and goes to incredible lengths to make sure that our students have meaningful inclusion,” said Clayton Holland, director of pupil services. “Along with the other wonderful staff at Homer High School, they have created a school culture that accepts, includes, and is accountable for every student. The benefits of what this team has done extends not only to the students they serve directly in their classroom, but to every student and staff member in the building who has the opportunity to work and interact with students with disabilities on a daily basis.”

The 2014 winner of the Inclusive Practice Award is the Homer High School Intensive Needs Classroom. The Governor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education established the Inclusive Practice Award to recognize outstanding educators who work to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity for an inclusive education with their peers as part of the general education curriculum. The 2014 dynamic group includes:

Monica Stockburger (Intensive Needs teacher)

Bobby Creamer (Speech Language Pathologist)

Mary Cooper (Paraprofessional)

Sara Fischer (Paraprofessional) 

Michael Kelley (Paraprofessional)

Rhonda Owens (Paraprofessional)

Clayton Smith (Paraprofessional)

Michael Steen (Paraprofessional)

The team bases their support of students on the expectation that inclusion in all aspects of the school fits with the individual needs of the student. As a result, virtually the entire school staff interacts and works closely with the Intensive Needs students. These students are involved in functional skill training as well as regular education classes and extracurricular activities both inside the school and outside in the community.

“All of the special education staff working with our Homer High School intensive needs students are to be commended for their willingness to go beyond the norm of what is expected in their pursuit of helping their students have a meaningful and successful experience at school.” –Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent

The 2014 The Inclusive Practices Award is given by the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, and recognizes outstanding educators who work to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity for an inclusive education in the general education curriculum. The nominations are based on the following activities that assure a positive learning environment for all:

  • Involving parents as equal partners in their child’s education
  • Encouraging student’s self-determination
  • Emphasizing inclusive practices amongst peers and others
  • Providing leadership in sharing the values of inclusion
  • Designing support services that enable access to the regular curriculum
  • Modifying programs or curricula as needed

This year’s award was presented Tuesday February 11, 2014, at a luncheon at the Hilton Hotel in Anchorage. It was attended by more than 200 special educators, administrators, parents and advocates from all over the state.
Links:
KPBSD Pupil Services
Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education
2014 Inclusive Practice Awards photo album

Homer Intensive Needs Team partial

Soldotna 7-12 grade Schools Reconfiguration Advisory Committee

KPBSD logo 4c todayMedia Release

Soldotna Schools Reconfiguration Advisory Committee

Soldotna, September 9, 2013—The fourteen person advisory committee will meet for the first time at Soldotna Middle School library on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, 5:30 p.m. The committee will make recommendations about cultural and historic issues (colors, school names, mascots, and so forth). This committee will serve in an advisory capacity.
Twenty-six community members applied to serve on the advisory committee; five people were selected, in addition to a student, staff member, and site council member from Skyview High School, Soldotna High School, and Soldotna Middle School.
Soldotna Schools Reconfiguration Advisory Committee Members
Doug Hayman, Transitions Facilitator
Community and Parent Representatives

  • Michelle Blackwell
  • Lynne Carter
  • Dale Dolifka
  • Michael Gallagher
  • Roxanne Miller

Skyview High School

  • Paul Kupferschmid, site council
  • Darren Jones, staff
  • Austin Laber, student

Soldotna High School

  • Kathy Gensel, site council
  • Troy Minogue, staff
  • Kelci Benson, student

Soldotna Middle School

  • Krista Arthur, site council
  • Joel Burns, staff
  • Jode Sparks, student

The Advisory Committee will meet six times at the Soldotna Middle School library on Tuesdays, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.

  • September 10
  • September 24
  • October 8
  • October 22
  • November 5
  • November 19

“Last spring the KPBSD School Board approved the reconfiguration of our three Soldotna area secondary schools. We are now ironing out the details for our three schools and will be utilizing an advisory committee as a way to gain critical public input on the upcoming decisions.” — Dr. Steve Atwater, Superintendent.

The KPBSD Board of Education approved a reconfiguration for Soldotna area 7-12 grade schools, effective August 2014:

  • Soldotna area grades 10-12 will be located at the current Soldotna High School campus
  • Soldotna area 9th grade students will be housed at the existing Soldotna Middle School
  • Soldotna area 7-8th grade students will be housed at the existing Skyview High School
  • River City Academy will be moved to the existing Soldotna Middle School

Links
Information: Soldotna Area Schools Advisory Committee
Background documents: Soldotna Area Schools Reconfiguration
Media Release, September 9, 2013: Soldotna Area 7-12 Grade Schools Reconfiguration
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This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD communications specialist, 907-714-8888
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
148 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, Alaska 99669
Pegge@KPBSD.org