Tag: Kenai Peninsula Borough

action: Support for Borough Assembly Resolution 2020-061

Education Funding Action
Contact your Borough Assembly representative, or testify 9-15-20, 6:00 PM Assembly Meeting

ACTION: On 9-15-20, request Assembly Members support of Kenai Peninsula Borough Resolution 2020-061 “Resolution in Support of the State’s Use of Estimated Student Count Data to fund K-12 Education for Fiscal Year 2021”

  • cause: Decline in projected KPBSD student school enrollment due to COVID-19 global pandemic in the 2020-2021 school year

  • effect: without “Hold Harmless” the enrollment decline creates a potential loss of already budgeted $2,361,550 (est. 9-8-20) from State of Alaska education funding to KPBSD

  • solution: State of Alaska can “Hold Harmless” school district funding, creating a safe harbor for FY21 education funding in the year of COVID-19

Links

9-15-20: Superintendent O’Brien email to Assembly Members and Mayor Pierce Download

The school district Board of Education adopted Resolution 20-20-21 on August 3, 2020, and conveyed it to Kenai Peninsula legislators. KPBSD Board of Education Resolution to support the State’s use of estimated student count data to fund K-12 Public Education for FY21

News Release: Kachemak Selo New K-12 School Bond

2018_08_27_HL_K Selo BondKachemak Selo New K-12 School Bond*
Kenai Peninsula Borough Proposition No. 1
To be voted on by all KPB voters, October 2, 2018
Soldotna, September 10, 2018—The Kachemak Selo New K-12 School Construction project began July 9, 2011, when a petition was submitted to the school board by local residents requesting a public school facility. Kenai Peninsula Borough voters

Kindergarten through twelfth grade classes are currently housed in three leased residential facilities that have deteriorated beyond useful capacity. The estimated cost of this construction project will not exceed $15,460,000. The proposed bonds in the amount of $5,450,000 would fund the 35% local match as well as costs associated with planning, design, site acquisition, preparation and development, construction and equipping the Kachemak Selo K-12 School.
The approximate annual amount of taxes on $100,000 of assessed real or personal property value to retire the debt are $4.95 (based on the Borough’s FY2018 taxable assessed valuation). Review supporting legislation.
Links:

*GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PAY THE LOCAL REQUIRED MATCH PORTION OF THE COSTS OF THE KACHEMAK SELO NEW K-12 SCHOOL. To be voted on by all voters October 2, 2018.
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News Release: KPBSD: Proposition 1 Kachelmak Selo New School

Superintendent Dusek on Borough Special Assembly Meeting

KPBSD logo 4c todaySuperintendent Dusek invites you to contact your Borough Assembly representative for your district, or attend the Borough Special Assembly Meeting on July 6, 2018, at 6:00 PM, to offer your comments about funding for Kenai Peninsula K-12 schools, and the $652k funding veto for the school year beginning July 1, 2018.

The Borough special assembly meeting action items will discuss:

  • Mayor’s FY19 Budget Line Item Veto School District Operations $652,609
  • Mayor’s FY19 Budget Line Item Veto Peninsula Promotions $206,000

“All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting. Written comments may be emailed to assemblyclerk@kpb.us or mailed to the Assembly, c/o Borough Clerk, 144 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, AK 99669.”
Superintendent Dusek wants you to know:

“While I am disappointed with the Mayor’s veto of $652,609, I am confident that the Mayor and Assembly support KPBSD and have made a significant investment already, for which we are very thankful. We support the other entities that the borough funds because we are all a part of the larger puzzle that provides an excellent place to live and work. The positive results we get support the economic engine in this borough—and others are able to share that information to attract visitors and new families to the peninsula to promote more growth.”

Why is the $652k important now?
Superintendent Dusek explains,

“The school district was going to specifically utilize these additional funds to address mental health issues with younger students—schools have responsibility now more than ever for wrap-a-round services to support students to be ready to learn, and to provide a safe learning environment. We had set plans in motion for the $652k to hire three itinerant elementary counselors to begin serving our students when school starts in August, and contract with one clinical psychologist. Additionally, our intent was to contract with a school safety specialist to review our schools. The remainder would help offset the remaining deficit after our fund balance usage.”

KPBSD FY19 Deficit and Budget Update (June 27, 2018)
Since 2015, the school district has been making budget reductions, and used General Fund Balance reserves to offset deficits totaling $12,575,312 million.
FY19 KPBSD deficit:                                     3,356,161
Planned Use of General Fund Balance:          1,318,109
Additional one-time funds from State:           1,405,152*
*this one-time funding allowed KPBSD to keep current pupil-teacher ratios (PTR) in classrooms
In late June, the school district learned about potential funds from the State of Alaska related to a PERS and TRS forfeiture from the state for defined contributions for employees spanning a twelve-year period. The district is awaiting details and guidance from the state for the actual portion of the $945,275.36 that could become a “credit on the books” and reassigned to the general fund.
Superintendent Dusek states,

“I believe in the future of this borough and look forward to working with the Mayor and Assembly to develop a fiscally responsible, long-term plan to continue to grow our communities. The future is bright and I believe this because I get to work with our future everyday–our students.”

If you have a friend who would find this information helpful, kindly share it.
The Future is Bright in KPBSD
 
KPBSD will inspire all learners to pursue their dreams in a rigorous, relevant and responsive environment.

Borough Mayor vetoes 652k in school funding

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor vetoes $652k of school funding
June 19, 2018, Soldotna, Alaska—Today, Borough Mayor Pierce introduced two funding vetoes for the Borough budget beginning in less than a month. The Borough Assembly meets tonight, and one veto directly affects school district funding.
Mayor Charlie Pierce said this in the memorandum to decrease funding to Kenai Peninsula Borough schools by $652,609: 

“Including this amount in the budget for school district operations would reduce the general fund, fund balance to an amount that is, in my view, too close to the recommended minimum fund balance to be financially prudent. Had the funds been appropriated from the Land Trust Fund I would not have taken this action.”

  • The school district hoped to add mental health counselors and school security measures with the $652k funding appropriation from the Borough. Plans were already in motion, and these important measures would have taken effect beginning July 1, 2018.
  • The veto announced today would increase the FY19 school district overall deficit to more than two million dollars.
  • Tonight is an opportunity to provide your thoughts during public testimony. The Tuesday, June 19, 2018, Assembly Meeting begins at 6:00 PM in the Borough Assembly Chambers, 144 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, Alaska 99669.

The school district is hopeful Borough Assembly members and Borough administration will resolve their budget prior to the start of the KPBSD fiscal year in 12 days.
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Budget cuts

Mayor Mike Navarre awarded Golden Apple

2017 Mayor Mike Navarre

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | October 16, 2017
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre provides tireless support of public education in our borough and in the state.
Mayor Navarre is a graduate from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and did not forget his roots. A successful businessman and public servant, through his personal business he supports KPBSD schools through donations of funds, products, and most importantly, time. His love of kids is genuine and while he is a Kenai Central High School graduate, he supports all of the schools in the district with equal zeal and pride!
Mayor Navarre has consistently demonstrated his support for public education in his various public servant roles. He speaks to the accomplishments, while also asking the tough questions that hold our schools accountable to high standards. When the district has needed funding, he has recommended, supported, and followed through on providing additional funding.
What is most impressive about Mayor Navarre is that he believes in public education because he believes in children and is optimistic about their future, especially if it is grounded in a quality education. He has been a strong partner building the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. “Through this partnership, he should share in our successes, know that he has made a profound difference in thousands of students’ lives, and be recognized for his unwavering support,” said Superintendent Sean Dusek. “I sincerely appreciate all that Mayor Navarre has done throughout his lifetime to help make the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District a high quality institution that is considered one of the best districts in the State of Alaska. Thank you for all you have done and I hope you will continue to be fully engaged with KPBSD in the future.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mr. Mike Navarre for his dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
2017 Mayor Navarre Golden Apple

 

News Release: KPBSD can hire 12 of 30+ frozen positions

News ReleaseKPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL
KPBSD can hire 12 of 30+ frozen positions

Soldotna, June 8, 2017—The Borough Assembly passed the Fiscal Year 2018 budget on June 6, 2017, which included funding for the KPBSD school year which begins August 22, 2017. The State of Alaska has not yet determined funding for public education.
Mayor Navarre increased the FY18 borough funding appropriation to KPBSD by $1.5 million over FY17 in Ordinance 2017-19, and the Borough Assembly voted to pass this funding. The Borough will provide KPBSD $38.88 million in Local Effort support available for use by KPBSD, and $10.85 million for operations and in-kind support, for a total appropriation of $49,738,432.
The increase provided KPBSD the fiscal certainty to offer contracts to a handful of local teachers on June 7, 2017, some of who had not yet been offered positions because of the hiring freeze and fiscal uncertainty. In addition, a handful of principals are interviewing for positions now open at their school site, with the ability for KPBSD to offer a qualified candidate a position immediately. The remaining positions are still on hold until the state legislature determines education funding, which could range from status quo to a five percent reduction.

“I am grateful that the Borough Assembly and Mayor Navarre took action that provided some fiscal certainty to the school district. They demonstrated leadership and made some difficult decisions that supported the schools in our district. We will continue to work closely with the Assembly and Mayor in our planning for next year to ensure efficiencies and provide the best opportunities for all of our students in the coming years. We will work together to make our communities positive, vibrant places that our graduates will want to live and work in as they have their own families in the future.” – Sean Dusek, Superintendent of Schools

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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
Please contact Pegge Erkeneff, communications liaison, Communications@kpbsd.org
with questions or connections to be made for your KPBSD district and school stories.

Middle School students code for Project Zero Waste

Curious about if you can recycle something? Anything? And then … where to take it on the Kenai Peninsula?
Embedded maps of Kenai Peninsula recycling locations
Middle School students in Anchor Point, Alaska, built a website to give you what you need to know, on the go.
The Kenai Peninsula Recycling website is hosted on KPBSD servers, and Chapman School students explain they will keep adding pertinent information, “Hopefully we’ll need to do so as recycling programs continue to expand!”

“This project helped me learn more about where to recycle. It allowed me to use my skills and discover the wonderful world of coding.” –Andy Drake, Chapman School
Chapman 8th grade web coding class
“Learning how to code can help us change the world because electronic devices are popular and people are more likely to use a website than a book. Coding is a fun and educational way to use time.” –Melissa Baxter, Chapman School

“The project grew out of the “Zero Waste Project” that Chapman School eighth grade students are doing with the Center for Alaska Coastal Studies,” explained teacher Mr. Jon Crocker. “We realized that a lot of people don’t know what can be recycled, and where to go locally. There are resources out there, but none that can be easily accessed while somebody is on the go. It also fits in with our year-long thematic unit about community. Once it became clear that such a resource would be a good idea, I asked my eighth graders to put designing their personal webpages on hold for a few weeks while we developed the site. Each student took one topic, researched it, and came up with their page based on a few guidelines. If a student was assigned something that isn’t recycled locally (such as #3 plastic), I asked them to focus more on reducing and reusing strategies. We wanted it to be something people could access from their phones while doing things like making decisions on what to buy in the grocery store.”
Students worked to improve on the information available on the Borough website. For example:

  • Embedded maps (students figured out how to do this!) replace written descriptions of facility locations
  • Recycling #5 plastics through private parties is included
  • Recycling #4 plastics—many plastic bags are actually #4, and those can be recycled in a couple of places

Visit the Chapman School coding class Kenai Peninsula Recycling website: http://bit.ly/KenaiPeninsulaRecycling
Embedded maps of Kenai Peninsula recycling locations
 
What do you want to recycle? Click a link below to find out where it can be recycled.
Tip: you can also learn about reducing and reusing strategies for each item! Or visit the main site at http://bit.ly/KenaiPeninsulaRecycling

Find your local recycling center
Visit the Kenai Peninsula Recycling website: http://bit.ly/KenaiPeninsulaRecycling
The Chapman School 8th grade coding class built the website, and the 7th grade students are also learning HTML. Chapman School 5th and 6th graders are learning programming with Scratch http://scratch.mit.edu.

Tsalteshi Trails Story Mapping and App Project 


Skyview Middle School eighth grade students in Sheilah-Margaret Pothast’s classes took to the Tsalteshi Trails to learn about GIS (Geographic Information Systems), use GPS to map a new trail, build a mobile app, and provide research for a story map now posted on the Kenai Peninsula Borough website.

Mrs. Pothast explains, “My first and second hour eighth grade American History classes participated in much of the research “grunt work” guided by our outstanding adult volunteers.  Many of the ideas for direct links, etc. that you’ll see in the product are ideas the kids recommended. Our adult volunteers contributed the expertise in their respective fields as well as the actual technical construction of the map. Students worked with adults to add attributes to the app and worked in teams led by the adults to develop the basic content ideas for each tab. Students are seeing the work for the first time and loving it! They are also already thinking of ways to improve it. This has been a wonderful learning experience for all of us, and one I look forward to continuing in the future. Many thanks to our adult volunteers without whom this would not have been possible.”

Thank you to the SMS staff, and amazing community partners and volunteers who did so much with our students, including: Bobbi Lay and Celina Robinson – KPB GIS Department; Nancy Carver – KPB Kenai River Center; Austin Johnson, City of Soldotna; Stephanie Queen – City of Soldotna Economic Development & Planning; Branden Bornemann – Kenai Watershed Forum GIS Specialist; Mark Laker – Kenai Wildlife Refuge Ecologist; and Bill Holt, Tsalteshi Trails Maintenance Manager extraordinaire.
Link: Tsalteshi Trail System
kpb-tsalteshi-trails-map
storymap storymap2 storymap3 storymap4
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Battle of Binkley – School District vs Borough at Tsalteshi Trails

KPBSD employees, Let’s win the Battle of Binkley!

This fun series promotes play, wellness, and a dash of fierce competition! Walkers and runners are welcome, every Wednesday, beginning July 8th

Details…

Battle of Binkley flyer
About the Salmon Run Series
The Salmon Run Series is a series of 5 races hosted at the Tsalteshi Trails.  Each race is 5K and utilizes a variety of trails in the Tsalteshi Trails system.  The Salmon Runs are perfect for any type of runner or walker. Individual races are $10 for Tsalteshi members, $15 for non-members.  All 5 race discount pricing is $45 for members, $70 for non-members.  All the money raised will be used to fund the Kenai Watershed Forum’s summer camps! Register here:  http://www.tsalteshi.org/events/?ee=169 Details: BAttle of Ninklet rules

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: