KPBSD Communications Field Notes
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Sharing Stories ~ Learn, Connect, Engage

June 9, 2021

Dear KPBSD Staff, Families, and Community Partners,

I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start and that you have been able to enjoy the warm sunny days we have recently experienced!

At the beginning of the past school year, the District mandated face coverings to keep our staff, students, and community safe. However, it is now time to change our guidance regarding face coverings in our district. Beginning on June 14, 2021, our guidance regarding face coverings for students and staff participating in our Summer Learning and Extended School Year (ESY) programs will change and align with updated CDC guidelines and our current school and community risk levels.

Several factors influence this guidance. First, the Centers for Disease Control is recommending that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks indoors, except in hospitals, on public transit, and in other specified places. Secondly, positive COVID-19 case rates have declined significantly with the successful introduction of several vaccines and the ongoing campaign to vaccinate community members ages 12 and older. The summer is the perfect time to make this change as there are fewer students in our buildings and the temperatures allow our staff to increase outdoor instruction and activity time. As we move through the summer we will continue to monitor local transmission levels and keep track of State and CDC recommendations related to mitigation plans in our schools.   

Updated KPBSD guidance for school operations, beginning June 14, 2021:

• Face coverings for district staff will follow CDC guidance; the district strongly advises non-vaccinated staff to wear a face covering (self-determined)
• Face coverings for all students is optional (informed by parental preference). Face coverings for fully vaccinated visitors is optional; non-vaccinated individuals are strongly advised to wear a face covering
• Physical distancing of 3’ or more will be encouraged while working with others indoors
• The Symptom Free Schools Protocol will continue, so anyone who does not feel well, is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, or has recently been exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19, needs to remain at home

I thank our staff, parents, students, and community for all that you have done this year to keep our community and schools safe. I look forward to our future work together.

Have a wonderful and safe summer!

Thank you,

Clayton Holland, Acting Superintendent, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Every Child Has a Right to be Safe, Seen, and Celebrated!

Virtual Job Chat

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will join Alaska Teacher’s Placement for a Virtual Job Chat on Thursday, June 10, 2021, from 3:00-4:30 ADT (7:00-8:30 PM EDT).

For 90 minutes on Thursday, June 10, 2021, tap into the Alaska Teacher Placement Virtual Job Fair (VJF) with guest Kenai Peninsula Borough School District! Join us from 3:00-4:30 PM ADT with your questions, or view it later.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Virtual Job Chat
Hosts: Amy Hagen, Director of Student Support Services, Pegge Erkeneff, Director of Communications, Community, and Government Relations, and backup crew ready to respond to your questions and comments during the live stream event.

When: Thursday, June 10, 3:00-4:30 PM ADT (7:00-8:30 pm EDT)
Time Zone Conversion: (Click here to convert event time)
How to Participate: ATP Facebook Page

Your KPBSD Hosts during the June Virtual Job Chat

Amy Hagen, Director of Student Support Services
Amy’s days are filled working with district employees to help ensure students with disabilities can access quality education and related services within the district. She was raised on the Kenai Peninsula but spent over a decade in Nevada which included working for one of Nevada’s school districts as well as their State Department of Education. Her vast knowledge within the area of disabilities helps provide wrap around services to help meet the needs of each student.

Pegge Erkeneff, Director of Communications, Community, and Government Relations
Pegge describes her role within the KPBSD as a storyteller. Whether it is pitching stories or responding to media, crisis communication, or celebrating what is right in public education in 42 diverse schools, her daily work life includes problem solving, the heart of a good story.

Pegge searches for the story elements to bring solutions and deliver delight to individuals and organizations, oversees school and district digital platforms, engages in meaningful communications with students and publics, offers communications workshops, and advocates with community partners and legislators about all things education related, both instructional and non-instructional. She began exploring Alaska in 2002, and moved her permanently (following her parents) in 2007. She lives alongside the Kenai River in Soldotna, and delights in nature and fishing.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is especially interested in chatting on the ATP Facebook page about the following openings:

Open positions, June 8, 2021:

Valuable KPBSD HR and School Links:

• Current job openings in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
• See a slideshow featuring the 42 diverse KPBSD schools
• Most schools have a Facebook page (you’ll see lots of photos and stories!) and you can visit the A-Z school directory with links to their websites
• Learn more about KPBSD schools through the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development website
• Discover the spectacular Kenai Peninsula through the extensive Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District website which includes industry and education sections, real estate, our municipalities, borough, and the great outdoors.
• Download the free KPBSD mobile app
• @KPBSD Facebook Page or https://www.facebook.com/kpbsd

The Facebook Live is a great opportunity to connect directly to the Human Resources and decision makers with our school district. Bring your questions, and tune into the ATP Facebook Live stream. This event will be recorded for archived viewing.
KPBSD is not able to sponsor foreign teachers for H1 or J1 visas.

We are thrilled that you are considering employment with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District! We are located in a beautiful part of southcentral Alaska and one of the more unique and progressive districts in our great state. Our schools, ranging in size from a K-8 building of 16 to a traditional high school of 600, offer our students a strong education that prepares them for life after graduation. The 1,200 KPBSD dedicated staff members are committed to continuous improvement that embraces our strategic plan goals in academic success, organizational excellence, and community and family engagement. Should you work with us, you will be joining an exciting and successful team of top notch educators who do what it takes to help our students find success.

“Our diverse K-12 district is a leader in Alaska and at the forefront to support our teachers’ instruction—especially in this new time of remote learning. We strive, every day, to prepare our students for their future in a rigorous, relevant and responsive learning environment. Our students perform at or near the top in any standardized test required of them. They are creative thinkers and problem solvers. Our staff focus is to enhance student skills in critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity through personalized learning. This focus only happens in a culture of continuous improvement with high expectations of staff. Our school district makes a commitment to meet these high expectations through professional development for our staff, and ongoing striving to be an innovative, world class school district.

–Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD Director of Communications, Community, and Government Relations

About the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
The Kenai Peninsula is 25,600 square miles, with 17 distinct communities, and 42 schools. You’ll find neighborhood schools, village schools, a home school program, charter schools, K-12 small schools, and a performance based school. An estimated 58,522 (2018) residents live on the Kenai Peninsula. Southcentral Alaska offers year-round outdoor adventure, mild summers, and relatively warm winters. You can live near glaciers, on salt water, rivers, or lakes. Outdoor activities are plentiful and include fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, canoeing, clamming, birding, berry picking, wildlife viewing, ice skating, sled dog mushing, and more! Art, music, native culture, sports, wildlife centers, and museums are integral parts of the diverse Kenai Peninsula communities. Local industry includes oil and gas, a vibrant medical community, commercial and sport fisheries. The climate is mild in contrast to the interior and northern Alaska. Our winters last a month or two longer than the Lower 48. December temperatures average in the mid 20’s, and our summers are brilliant, with nearly 24-hour sunlight, and a lush, green landscape.

Located south of Anchorage, nothing about the Kenai is formal or stuffy. In fact, no other destination offers such an up close and personal Alaskan experience. That’s why we are known as Alaska’s Playground! This map shows links to a detailed Google Map view of the 42 KPBSD school locations.

Alaska Job Search Links

• Kenai Peninsula Borough School District website: www.KPBSD.org
  Open positions in the KPBSD
• ATP Website & Applitrack Job Bank
  http://www.alaskateacher.org/
• ATP Forum – Ask Questions & Search Advice
  http://www.alaskateacher.org/forum/

Facebook Live Streaming Event Format
You will need a free Facebook account to actively participate in ATP’s Live Chats. Once you create that account, you can use it to log in and ask the presenters questions. Anyone can watch the video stream, and observe the chat. If you would like to ask a question or introduce yourself, it is very easy to sign into the comment or post your reactions in real time.

ATP Live Chat on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaTeacher/

KPBSD on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/kpbsd

KPBSD is grateful for all our school leaders who served, and retired or moved onto new adventures at the end of the school year in June.

Let us collectively welcome new school principals, assistant principals (ap), and leadership team members at district office who will begin these new assignments in the 2021-2022 school year!

KPBSD Administrators 2021-2022

• Connections Homeschool: Mr. Greg Melvin, (AP)
• Homer Middle School: Ms. Meghan Redmond
• Kenai Central High School: Mr. Dan Beck
• Kenai Middle School: Mr. Ken Felchle, (AP)
• Mountain View Elementary: Ms. Hannah Dolphin (AP)
• Nanwalek School: Ms. Penny Bearden
• Nikiski Middle-High School: Mr. Shane Bostic; Mr. Mike Crain (AP)
• Nikiski North Star Elementary: Mrs. Jenna Fabian
• Paul Banks Elementary: Mr. Jerry Stapleton
• Port Graham School: Mr. Eric Hart
• Razdolna School: Dr. Michael Sturm
• Seward High School: Mr. Henry Burns
• Seward Middle School: Mr. Matt Potter
• Skyview Middle School: Ms. Jill DuFloth; Ms. Shonia Werner (AP)
• Soldotna High School: Mr. Sarge Truesdell
• Susan B. English School, Seldovia: Mr. Scott Jonsson
• Tebughna School: Ms. Christy Gomez

District Office

• Director of Elementary Education: Mr. Eric Pederson
• Director of Secondary Education: Mr. Tony Graham
• Assistant Superintendent: Ms. Kari Dendurent
• Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Clayton Holland

KPBSD welcomes…

Connections Homeschool
Mr. Greg Melvin has been assigned to be AP for next school year at Connections. Mr. Melvin will be working closely with Rich Bartolowits and also be completing other special projects for the district.

Homer Middle School
Ms. Meghan Redmond accepted the principal position for Homer Middle School for next year. Ms. Redmond has been the assistant principal at New Stuyahok for the last several years. We are thrilled to have her come on board. Ms. Redmond is looking forward to working at HMS and raising her family in Homer.

Kenai Central High School
Mr. Dan Beck has accepted the job of KCHS principal starting next school year. We have the upmost confidence that Mr. Beck and Assistant Principal Will Chervenak will be a powerhouse administrative team working together!

Kenai Middle School

Mr. Ken Felchle will be the new AP at Kenai Middle School. Mr. Felchle has been with the KPBSD for well over 20 years as a teacher and coach.

Mountain View Elementary
Ms. Hannah Dolphin will be the AP at Mountain View Elementary next year. Ms. Dolphin has been an excellent teacher at KPBSD for the last seven years while working at K-Beach Elementary School.

Nanwalek School

Ms. Penny Bearden will be the new principal for Nanwalek School! Penny has been with the district as a teacher in Nanwalek for the last eight years where she has done great work with our students and the community.

Nikiski Middle-High School

Mr. Shane Bostic will be the Nikiski Middle-High School principal starting next year, and Mr. Michael Crain will become the next Assistant Principal!

Nikiski North Star Elementary
Mrs. Jenna Fabian, previously the Assistant Principal at Mountain View Elementary will be the next principal of Nikiski North Star Elementary School! 

Paul Banks Elementary

Mr. Jerry Stapleton will be the new principal at Paul Banks Elementary. In the 2020-2021 school year Mr. Stapleton worked as a primary grade teacher at Nikiski North Star Elementary, but came to our district with vast experience as a principal in Georgia. Mr. Stapleton is thrilled to be leading the team at Paul Banks.

Port Graham School
Mr. Eric Hart will be the next principal/teacher of Port Graham School. Mr. Hart will be joining us from the Chatham School District in SE Alaska where he has spent the last 15 years. We look forward to all that Mr. Hart is bringing to Port Graham and the KPBSD.

Razdolna School

Dr. Michael Sturm has accepted the job as the principal/teacher for Razdolna School. Dr. Strum is a Skyview High School graduate who has been teaching in Razdolna most recently. We are excited to have him come on board with us.

Seward High School
Mr. Henry Burns has the accepted the principal position at Seward High School next year.  Mr. Burns has most recently been an administrator at North Pole High School, in North Pole, Alaska. Mr. Burns is excited to join the KPBSD as the principal of Seward High School and we look forward to the great things to come at Seward High school. 

Seward Middle School

Mr. Matt Potter has accepted the principal/teacher position at Seward Middle School.  Mr. Potter is a long time Alaskan who is currently living in Sitka.  We are excited to have Matt join the KPBSD admin team and we are confident he is going to do great things and bring a lot of energy to Seward Middle School and the district.

Skyview Middle School

Ms. Jill DuFloth, current AP at Skyview has agreed to be the interim principal at Skyview Middle School next school year. Ms. DuFloth has done great work as the AP of Skyview and we are happy to have her step into the principal role next year where we know she will do great work and help the school with the next transition. Ms. Shonia Werner will be joining Principal Jill DuFloth as the AP of Skyview Middle School next school year.  Shonia has been an educator for several years with the KPBSD and most recently has been teaching and doing her administrative internship at River City Academy.

Soldotna High School

Mr. Sarge Truesdell will be the next Soldotna High School Principal. We all look forward to the great things that will come with the team at Soldotna High School.

Susan B. English School, Seldovia
Mr. Scott Jonsson will be joining our administrative team next year as the principal/teacher of Susan B. English School in Seldovia. Mr. Jonsson is joining us from Anchorage and has a spent a lot of time on the Kenai Peninsula, particularly on the water (he can tell you more about that next year). We look forward to all the great ideas and experiences Mr. Jonsson will bring to Susan B. English School.

Tebughna School
In Tyonek, Christy Gomez will take over as principal/teacher for Tebughna School. Ms. Gomez has been an educator at Tebughna for several years and we look forward her to being in this role.

District Office Leadership

Director of Elementary Education
Paul Banks Elementary Principal Mr. Eric Pederson will be the next Director of Elementary Education!

Director of Secondary Education
Soldotna High School Principal Mr. Tony Graham will be the next Director of Secondary Education!

Assistant Superintendent
Homer Middle School Principal Ms. Kari Dendurent will be the next Assistant Superintendent for the KPBSD!

Superintendent of Schools
Assistant Superintendent Clayton Holland will be the next Superintendent of Schools!