Hiring a School Principal – Public Involvement Opportunities
Everyone is invited to watch the principal candidate interviews live via Zoom, and then provide written feedback through a new survey link provided during the live interview.
Thank you for your participation in the selection and hiring of KPBSD principals.
Check back to this page for updates, or additional schools that are hiring a new administrator.
Format
On the hour, Zoom audience members join interview process. The Zoom doors will close when each candidate interview begins, so make sure to join the call at the top of the hour, and no later than 10 minutes later.
:10: Introduction of Candidate followed by 45 minute candidate interview
Example:
4:00 – 4:10 Zoom audience members join call when doors open
4:10 – 4:15 Candidate arrives and is introduced. Doors close
4:15 – 5:00 Interview with candidate
Public Comment
Everyone present at the interview may submit written candidate feedback. Details will be provided during the Zoom call.
Kenai Alternative High School
Monday, February 21, 2022, with interviews at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting with Meeting ID: 827 7828 2618 and Passcode: 386636
Chapman School
Tuesday, February 22, 2022, with interviews at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting with Meeting ID: 837 8284 6684 and Passcode: 206955
Skyview Middle School
Wednesday, February 23, 2022, with interviews at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting with Meeting ID: 826 7282 9909 and Passcode: 805634
Paul Banks Elementary School
Monday, February 28, 2022, with interviews at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting with Meeting ID: 886 3101 0843 and Passcode: 506601
Nikolaevsk and Ninilchik schools (regional principal)
Tuesday, March 1, 2022, with interviews at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting with Meeting ID: 886 1463 6079 and Passcode: 726519
River City Academy School
Wednesday, March 2, 2022, with interviews at 5:00, 6:00, and 7:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting with Meeting ID: 813 7152 1012 and Passcode: 725577
Visit school websites and social media for additional information.
Curious about openings in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District? We are hiring!
Visit the HR webpage and current openings.
Legislative Flyin Packet AASB: February 12-15, 2022
Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) Legislative & Leadership Fly-In & Youth Advocacy Institute, February 12-14, 2022 in Juneau, Alaska AASB Event
DOWNLOAD PDFs
KPBSD Board of Education packet for legislators*
Contents:
- KPBSD Fast Facts
- Celebrate Student and Educator Success
- Human Resources: Recruit and Retain
- Literacy and PreK in KPBSD
- CTE: Career and Technical Education
- Social and Emotional Development (SEL)
- COVID-19 Federal Relief Funding in KPBSD
- School Finance and the BSA (HB272 and HB273)
- KPBSD Board of Education
- 2022 State Legislative Priorities and Federal Legislative Priorities
*These documents were created in February 2022, and will be refined and updated throughout the session and as new information becomes available.
Posted in Board of Education Legislature by .
Celebrate Diane Buchanan, the 2022 Alaska School Nutrition Association Administrator of the Year
The statewide award recognizes her commitment and dedication to school nutrition! Fun fact: every day KPBSD Student Nutrition serves a daily average of 1,200 breakfasts and 3,200 lunches!
For thirty years, Diane Buchanan has worked in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, a diverse district the size of West Virginia, with 42 schools, some only accessible by boat or plane. Starting as a student nutrition cashier in 1992 at Soldotna Junior High, for the past six years, she has served as the Student Nutrition Services Supervisor, where she oversees food nutrition services, school kitchen management, free and reduced lunch applications, and menus among other responsibilities.
During the past two years of the pandemic, she and her team stepped up to provide “Get It and Go” lunches when schools were in remote learning, juggled supply chain issues of not receiving food, and kept school meals served every day that school has been open in person. In 2020, at the start of the pandemic, the Governor of Alaska announced the shift of all schools to remote learning after spring break. Immediately, district leadership asked what can we do to provide meals to students, since so many families rely on school meals. The Director of Planning and Operations called Diane, and everyone went to work over the weekend. KPBSD was proud to offer “Get it and Go Meals” and an online ordering service that began the Tuesday after that 2020 spring break.
An avid quilter, she creates beautiful art, she is a beekeeper, goes along with her family on hunts, rides her four-wheeler, enjoys gardening and flowers, is active in her church, and loves time with her grandchildren.
“The KPBSD student nutrition staff are a remarkable bunch of people that quietly feed the students every day without much recognition of what they have accomplished each day.”
In her words…
Advice to her younger self, or current students
Always have a job and work for a living and no matter what job you have, always give 110%. You do not have to have a college degree to have a job in field you have interest so keep searching for the opportunity to get into a field of work you enjoy.
How I got started…
My career in student nutrition started when I wanted a job that would allow me to be on the same schedule as my children, and allow me to volunteer in their school. I started in student nutrition not expecting it to be my life’s career choice, but after these many years I realized that this was something I really enjoyed and will have a hard time leaving.
Facing challenges
When the pandemic hit, the student nutrition staff was asked to work at different kitchens as a group preparing hundreds of sack breakfast and lunch meals each day for the students of KPBSD. The staff worked together without any questions or complaints and like all of us not knowing what this really was or when it would end. The staff would stand out in all types of weather for an hour each day handing out meals to families as they drove up.
Gratitude
I would like to thank the many student nutrition staff who I have worked with over the last 30 years. The KPBSD student nutrition staff are a remarkable bunch of people that quietly feed the students every day without much recognition of what they have accomplished each day.
Her team says, “These last two years working through the Covid-19 challenges have been trying to say the least. Diane’s leadership has been extraordinary. It is obvious Diane love her job, and she loves numbers! Diane has shared her knowledge of the ins and outs of Student Nutrition. When she retires she leaves big shoes to fill, all of which has become second nature to her. She will be greatly missed.”
“For over 30 years Ms. Buchanan has provided outstanding service to the district and all of our students,” said Superintendent Holland. “During the last two years, Diane worked through school closures, staffing issues, and supply chain shortages to make sure our students have access to food. The geographic diversity and size of our district makes this even more impressive! Congratulations to Ms. Buchanan for this well-deserved recognition. We are incredibly proud of her and all of our student nutrition services employees.”
Link
Feb 22
7
Celebrate School Counselors
KPBSD School Counselors, you are appreciated!
“Please join me to celebrate our school counselors during National School Counselor Appreciation week! Now, more than ever, we recognize and appreciate the great work our school counselors provide to our students and to our entire district. On a daily basis they connect with students, and are actively engaged to help them examine their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents. They work in partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; they focus on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career, and social and emotional development; they work with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic, and optimistic aspirations for themselves. The work that our School Counselors are doing resonates not only in our schools and communities today, but also into the future lives of our students.”
–Superintendent Clayton Holland
Celebrate school counseling by taking part in the 2022 National School Counseling Week photo challenge. Simply download each day’s sign, write in your response and then take a picture with it to post to your social media channels. Be sure to tag ASCA and #NSCW22.
- Monday, Feb. 7: School counselors and other school-based mental health professionals are better together because …
- Tuesday, Feb. 8: School counselors and administrators are better together because…
- Wednesday, Feb. 9: School counselors and teachers are better together because…
- Thursday, Feb. 10: School counselors and the community are better together because…
- Friday, Feb. 11: School counselors are better together because…
Share your thoughts, and thank a school counselor today!
Feb 22
3
Thank your school board rep!
Celebrate School Board Recognition Month in February!
February is School Board Appreciation Month in Alaska! Together throughout our school district and state, let us honor school board members who provide grassroots governance of public schools. Kindly make a special effort to tell school board members that their hard work is noticed and very much appreciated.
We are thankful for our Board of Education!
Idea: send a thank you note to your school board representative!
- Zen Kelly, President, District 9, South Peninsula
- Debbie Cary, Vice President, District 7, Kasilof/Central
- Jason Tauriainen, Clerk District 3, Nikiski
- Penny Vadla, Treasurer District 4, Soldotna
- Patti Truesdell, District 1, Kalifornsky
- Matt Morse, District 2, Kenai
- Jennifer Waller, District 5, Sterling/Funny River
- Virginia Morgan, District 6, Seward/East Peninsula
- Timothy Daugharty, District 8, Homer
- Neviya Reed, Student Representative
The mission of public schools is to meet the diverse educational needs of all children and to empower them to become competent, productive contributors to a democratic society and an ever-changing world; and
AND, school board members are dedicated to the success of our public schools, the students who attend them, and work closely with educational professionals, parents, and other community members to promote excellence in student learning and academic achievement; and
AND, local school board members are committed to children and believe all children can be successful learners and the best education is tailored to the individual needs of the child; and
AND, local school board members contribute their time and talents to our communities, and work closely with parents, educational professionals, and other community members to create the educational vision we want for our students; and
AND, local school board members are responsible for ensuring the structure provides a solid foundation for our school system; and
AND, local school board members ensure the assessment of students, school staff, and educational programs and are accountable to the community; and
AND, local school board members are strong advocates for public education and are responsible for communicating the needs of the school district to the public and the public’s expectations to the district.
Join the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District to recognize the dedication and hard work of our local school board members, and the working in collaboration with them to mold an education system to meet the needs of all our children, today and in the future!
Links
On February 2, 2022, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District sent this communication to families via School Messenger, our internal communication system. School districts in Alaska have 30 days from when the annual Report Cards to the Public are available on the DEED website, to inform their families. KPBSD received the information on January 31, 2022.
Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s):
The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) released the 2020-2021 Report Cards to the Public for each school district and school in Alaska. The continuing impact of COVID-19 on the operation of Alaska’s public school buildings throughout the 2020-2021 school year has had a substantial effect on the state’s accountability system and Alaska Report Card to the Public. As a result, the Accountability waiver that was approved on June 9, 2021, limits the data that are available on the Report Card for the 2020-2021 school year. The Reporting Plan for the 2020-2021 Alaska School, District, and State Report Cards outlines the data that will be reported publicly on the website and the data that will likely be accompanied with additional documentation.
You may view the 2020-2021 (and prior years) Alaska Department of Education & Early Development Report Card to the Public, and specifically the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, or any school in the KPBSD, at this link: education.alaska.gov/reportcardtothepublic
- On the webpage, select “Kenai Peninsula Borough School District” in the “District” drop down selection
- In the “School” field, select your KPBSD school from the alphabetical list
If you are unable to access the “Report Card to the Public” online, kindly contact the school your child attends.
In August 2021, Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson wrote, “It is important to keep in mind that for many students, instruction and assessment looked very different during the COVID-19 pandemic. As local school boards managed the impacts of COVID, assessment participation rates among students taking the assessment were so low that the department [Alaska Department of Education and Early Development] cautions against drawing sweeping conclusions about student performance statewide.”
We know that the report card to the public is just one of many ways you will engage with us. We look forward to sharing our school’s successes with you, and working together to make our schools better every day. In particular, we are proud that the report card to the public shows how we are doing.
We hope you will closely follow your student’s academic progress and work with their teacher(s) to help ensure academic success. Working together as a team, we can improve not only how well our students are performing individually, but how our school and district is performing as a whole. There is nothing more important to administrators and teachers than ensuring that students are ready for the next step in their academic career. We look forward to partnering with you.
If you have questions or concerns regarding your school report card, kindly contact your school principal.
For questions about the district report card to the public, call the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District office at 907-714-8888, and ask to speak with the student assessment department.
The mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is to empower all learners to positively shape their futures.
Feb 22
2
Community Budget Forums
“At the community budget forums, we will review the 2022-2023 (FY23) preliminary budget. Staff, parents, students, and community members will have an opportunity to learn about our budget, provide input, and ask questions.”
–Liz Hayes, Director of Finance, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Choose a location to attend in person, or via Zoom on Feb. 23:
- Homer area community: Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 6:00 PM, Homer High School library
- Central Peninsula community: Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 7:00 PM, Kenai Central High School library
- Seward area community: Thursday, February 24, 2022, 6:00 PM, Seward High School library
- One ZOOM option: Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 7:00 PM, from the KCHS library. The link is online at go.kpbsd.org/finance
2-16-22 Note: Due to weather and school closures, the date and time for the Central Peninsula community and Zoom option changed from February 16, 2022, and is rescheduled on February 23, 2022, at 7:00 PM.
On April 4, 2022, the budget recommendation for the 2022-2023 school year will be presented to the KPBSD Board of Education during the evening meeting, and then transmitted to the Kenai Peninsula Borough on April 5, 2022.
Links
- Visit the KPBSD Finance Department webpage for documents, budget development information, previous year data, and new budget information updates
*One ZOOM option for everyone is offered at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 16, 2022:
(213) 338 8477
Conference ID: 856 3332 1805
Passcode: 039315
or go online to go.kpbsd.org/finance
###
Feb 22
2
KPBSD Summer STEAM Camps 2022
FREE Summer STEAM Camps for any current KPBSD 6th, 7th, or 8th grade students
Computer Science E-Game Camp
May 30–June 3 or June 13-17
Drone Camp
June 6–10 or June 20-24
Sign up for one camp, or both!
Summer Camp is for any KPBSD student, and hosted at Skyview Middle School in Soldotna, Alaska
Sign up by Friday, February 25, 2022
LINK: KPBSD 2022 Summer Camps
If you would like to be considered for summer camp at Skyview Middle School, this is what you need to do:
1. COMPLETE the online application or PRINT a hard copy application
2. Turn in the completed application to the Skyview Middle School front office or email it to nkant@kpbsd.k12.ak.us no later than Friday, February 25, 2022.
Questions? Reach out to Ms. Natalie e: NKant@kpbsd.k12.ak.us, or call 907-260-2507
If you have having trouble opening the links, reach out to Ms. Natalie!
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Feb 22
2
Monthly School Board Meeting
February Board of Education Meeting
The following school board meetings and work sessions will be held in the
Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers at 144 Binkley Street, Soldotna AK unless otherwise noted.
PLEASE NOTE: The meetings are open to the public. The public is invited to attend in person and to listen and participate as noted below. District Administration may determine if it is prudent to allow public in person participation based on risk level or if the meeting will only be virtual and streamed live.
(877) 853-5257
Conference ID: 708 024 188
When prompted for an Attendee ID, press #.
Zoom ID: 708 024 188
Meeting Schedule
February 7, 2022
Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers
10:00 a.m. Special Meeting(Public Listening and Participation will be as noted on the Agenda in BoardDocs )
1:00 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting (Public Listening)
1:30 p.m. Information Committee Meeting (Public Listening)
2:15 p.m. Board Policy Committee Meeting (Public Listening)
Work Sessions-(Public Listening)
3:00 p.m. Board Policy Review
3:15 p.m. Finance
3:45 p.m. Strategic Plan
4:30 p.m. Board Discussion
6:00 p.m. Business Meeting: (Public Listening and Participation will be as noted on the Agenda in BoardDocs )
If you would like to pre-register to testify telephonically (optional) or if you have any technical difficulties or questions, contact Lisa Gabriel at lgabriel@kpbsd.k12.ak.us, 907-714-8836, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To view the agenda and packet items, log on to: http://www.boarddocs.com/ak/kpbsd/Board.nsf/public. To view the live broadcast log on to http://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us or Live Broadcast.
Posted in Board of Education by .
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education will hold a joint budget work session about the 2022-2023 (FY23) budget, with the Borough Assembly at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 01, 2022, at the George A. Navarre Administration Building, Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers, 144 North Binkley St., Soldotna, AK.
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
1:00-2:00 p.m.
For more information, visit the Kenai Peninsula Borough website and navigate to Assembly>Calendar: https://www.kpb.us/
Attend in person, or listen via the KPB Zoom
Meeting ID: 884 7373 9641
Passcode: 671108
School Board Agenda and KPBSD presentation: http://www.boarddocs.com/ak/kpbsd/Board.nsf/public