News Release: contact Pegge Erkeneff, Communications Specialist | 907.714.8888
KPBSD Ski Teams in Bus Accident
Soldotna, January 10, 2014—While traveling to the Valdez Invitational, Kenai Central High School and Skyview High School cross-country ski teams were in a bus accident at approximately 11:44 a.m., at mile 55 on the Richardson Highway. Valdez City Schools sent buses to transport students to the elementary school, where a medical triage team assembled to assess every student. Several students were subsequently transported to Providence Valdez Medical Center for further evaluation.
At the accident site cell coverage was minimal, weather conditions were poor. Forty-nine people were on board the bus from KPBSD, in addition to the bus driver. Skyview High School team: 15 students and three adults; from Kenai Central High School: 28 students and three adults. Students and KPBSD staff began arriving in Valdez at approximately 4:00 p.m.
At the time of this media release, students at the hospital were being treated and released, and we are awaiting a full update. All parents and guardians have been contacted.
Due to the circumstances, the two KPBSD teams will not compete in the Valdez Invitational on Saturday; Unique Charters is sending a replacement bus for the teams which plans to leave Valdez and drive back to the central peninsula midday.
“I thank all of the staff from Valdez City Schools, the Valdez Emergency Services, Valdez Police, personnel at the Valdez Hospital, and the Alaska State Troopers for their immediate and professional response to today’s accident,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent. “The location of the accident made the response difficult, we are thankful that these agencies are so well trained. In addition, thank you to local families who volunteered to bring food to students, and open their homes to parents.”
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This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
New: Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory
Please contact Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD communications specialist, with questions or connections to be made for your KPBSD district and school stories.
Pegge@kpbsd.org
907.714.8888
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KPBSD third through fifth grade students from Redoubt Elementary, K-Beach Elementary, Kaleidoscope School, Ninilchik, and Chapman Schools played with the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra through Link Up, a program of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.
“One of the district’s unsung sources of pride is our elementary music programs,” said Steve Atwater, superintendent. “These concerts are a great way for the public to appreciate our music teachers’ excellent work and their students’ commitment to learning their respective instruments. The concert is also a great example of how much local support is given to the arts.”
Concerts took place Saturday, November 2, 2013, 3:00 p.m., at Kenai Central High School and Sunday, November 3, 2013, 3:00 p.m., at Homer High School.
“This year, Link Up is The Orchestra Moves. The underlying theme is how music moves, how music makes you move and how the music moves through the melodies,” said Tammy Vollum-Matturro, the director and conductor of the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra. “Last year, Link Up was such a huge success for students, orchestra members, and the community. This year we were excited to include students from Redoubt, K-Beach, Kaleidoscope, Ninilchik, and Chapman schools. The students have been exploring, singing, and playing great music such as The Blue Danube by Strauss, Nocturne by Mendelssohn, and will get to hear the orchestra perform The Marriage of Figaro Overture by Mozart and Beethoven’s Fifth. During the program, the students are on stage immersed in the orchestra sitting right next to the strings, winds and percussion. The concert included host Marc Berezin who led us in an educational concert with the help of visuals and soloists,” said Vollum-Matturro.
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Dec 13
20
KPBSD celebrates employee Kelly King
Debbie Michaels, Kelly King, and Sand Miller at Vigil for Youth and Family Homelessness
“One of the more challenging tasks that we face is educating our homeless students. Because of the extraordinary effort and dedication of Kelly King, the district is able to do its best to meet this challenge.” –Steve Atwater, superintendent
“I am blessed with the opportunity to do what I love every day. Having the work I do be recognized at the vigil, by good friends who have the same vision … I am very humbled and just so grateful. Receiving the Knight in Shining Armor award means so much to me; I am sincerely honored.” –Kelly King, KPBSD homeless liaison.
November 7, 2013, Kelly King was awarded the Knight in Shining Armor award during a candlelight vigil for youth and family homelessness. The award is named after retired KPBSD school teachers Janiece and Nina Knight. The Knights are founders of a non-profit, Luva Child, Inc. The mission of the non-profit is to provide food, shelter and education for children at risk.
Speaking at the vigil, Sandy Miller, federal programs coordinator said, “KPBSD is proud of the support Kelly provides and is pleased she is receiving the Knight in Shining Armor award this evening. She truly is a hero. The task of the homeless liaison is not a high profile position and it does not garner a lot of attention. King doesn’t need those accolades; she truly has a heart for families and youth finding themselves in difficult times. Over the course of a year, Kelly typically supports approximately 300 students.
The real reward for Kelly is watching her clients grow and rise above their challenges. During her time as homeless liaison, Kelly has watched many of her unaccompanied youth make it through high school, graduate on time, and go on to college or enroll in vocational education.”
The KPBSD Students in Transition program has been in existence since the early 1990s. The numbers of students and families served through the program have increased each year; however the staffing to serve this population has not. KPBSD has one full-time and one part-time position to cover the majority of KPBSD needs. On average 275 – 300 individuals are provided assistance each year through the KPBSD Homeless Liaison.
Kelly King came to KPBSD in 2008. As a lifelong Kenai resident, King understands the unique characteristics of each community. She continually goes well above her job expectations to develop strong, respectful relationships with local and state agencies in order to provide the very best assistance possible for her clients.
Tim Vlasak, director of K-12 Schools, Assessment and Federal Programs reflected, “It was so nice to have this program as part of the district; in my previous school district we did not have a program such as this one. I so appreciate the opportunity to recognize a member of our team who provides essentials for students—we cover bases for K-12 students from food, to clothing, transportation, and this includes both unaccompanied youth, and families with K-12 students who are experiencing homelessness. Kelly has an ability to find a way to meet the essential needs of students with her vast community connections and the limited resources available in the district. Any opportunity we have as a school district to support our students in transition in an effort to keep students in school and on a path to providing life skills to and through graduation and beyond is valuable.”
King adds, “A special thanks to Covenant House and Dave and Debbie Michaels who help with the annual vigil for homelessness, work in the KPBSD, and are advocates in the community.”
Links
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Dec 13
20
APECS 2.0 Software Update
I’m happy to report the KPBSD team that has worked so long and hard to ensure a successful implementation of our upgrade to the APECS 2.0 software came through with a win. We aren’t done yet, but we’ve made it through the first payroll successfully, which we considered the biggest test. This sums up the general feeling among the team on November 5, 2013, just before the system was opened up for all users:
“One thing is sure. We have to do something. We have to do the best we know how at the moment … If it doesn’t turn out right, we can modify it as we go along.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt
I’ve heard operating a school is like building an airplane while in flight–moving everyone forward toward an uncertain future and destination. We understand that feeling. I only have 300 words, so I don’t have room to name all the team members. And while space is a limitation, another part of my reluctance to name names comes from the reality that everyone in the district has played a part. Certainly, some were involved more directly in the testing and training and spent many long hours making sure that the transition went smoothly. But all school district employees were involved in some way. None are more appreciated than those who provided their support and understanding when things didn’t turn out quite the way we hoped on the first try.
Part of the reason the KPBSD is a great place to work is the amazing support of fellow employees, who feel like this, too: “I’ve worked too hard and too long to let anything stand in the way of my goals. I will not let my teammates down and I will not let myself down.” -Mia Hamm
Contributed by Laurie Olsen, KPBSD director of finance
Posted in KPBSD employees by .
Applause! Dan Bohrnsen is named AACTE Outstanding Career and Technical Education Administrator of the Year!
Congratulations to Dan Bohrnsen, our Career and Technical Education Work Force Development and Coordinator! Honored at a banquet sponsored by the Alaska Association of Career and Technical Education in Anchorage, Alaska, Bohrnsen was selected by his peers throughout the state to receive the honor. The Association was impressed with his ability to leverage his student advocacy with a clear vision for CTE in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.
“One of Dan’s accomplishments over the past five years has been a 21% increase in new CTE class offerings (39 additions), and an increase of distance and online CTE class offerings and the utilization of fractional CTE class offerings,” said John O’Brien, director of secondary education. “KPBSD now offers several one period offerings taught by either retired staff or Type M certified industry experts. Some examples include: advanced welding, marine technology, auto mechanics, criminal justice, dental assistant, and so forth. Another very creative and unique idea that Dan supported was to offer an all-girls construction academy in the Homer area for one of our Russian Village schools.”
“It was great to be recognized for this award,” said Dan Bohrnsen. “Over the past four years the increase in 
CTE state and federal funding has enabled our district to expand our curriculum, improve our classrooms and shops and provide needed equipment and supplies to most of our CTE programs, which in turn has enabled our teachers to expose students to twenty-first century skills needed in the work force. We have some outstanding CTE teachers, and these improvements have given them the tools to offer more opportunities to our students. To me this award is verification that the KPBSD is heading in the right direction.”
“The funds from Senate Bill 84 allow us to offer more CTE opportunities for our secondary students. I am impressed by the district’s successful use of this new money and mostly attribute this success to Dan Bohrnsen,” said Steve Atwater, superintendent. “Dan is to be commended for his ownership of our CTE program as well as his leadership and vision for how best to prepare students for life after high school.”
Dan demonstrates tireless efforts to align curriculum to national standards, build industry partnerships, further awareness of CTE programs for all stakeholders, and increase offerings and enrollments in CTE courses across our vast and diverse district. Yet even with these director-level activities, you may still find Dan sitting down to discuss pathways and offerings of interest with an individual student.
Posted in Awards by .
Dec 13
20
Will you wear your new ice cleats?
Every fall as the seasons change, the Kenai Peninsula turns into a winter playground for many. Unfortunately, the cold and snow that creates our recreational opportunities also creates icy parking lots and sidewalks.
Each year multiple KPBSD employees have experienced falls on these icy surfaces resulting in bodily injury.
In an effort to reduce and hopefully eliminate these injuries, KPBSD has purchased ice cleats for every employee in the district. These cleats are of high quality and easy to put on and take off. It is our hope that all employees will use these cleats as they travel to and from work and across the district.
Please wear your cleats and be safe, we care about you!
Posted in KPBSD employees by .
News Release
Advisory Committee recommendations for Soldotna schools 7-12 grade reconfiguration
Soldotna, November 8, 2013—The Soldotna area 7-12 grade schools Advisory Committee completed its work and presented recommendations to the KPBSD Board of Education during a work session on November 4, 2013.
Last spring, the school board voted to reconfigure the three Soldotna area secondary schools which set in motion a series of events to address the details of what needed to be in place for these schools at the start of the FY15 school year. One of these events was the administration’s creation of an advisory committee. This committee was tasked with making recommendations on school names, school colors, school mascots and suggestions on how to address the pending changes in school cultures.
This committee’s work is complete, and Doug Hayman, Transitions Coordinator, presented the following recommendations to the school board on November 4, 2013, during a work session. Consensus by the Advisory Committee was reached on the following topics:
- The 7-8 grade middle school be named Skyview Middle School
- The 7-8 grade middle school mascot be a Panther
- The ninth grade school be named Soldotna Prep
- Two 10-12 grade high school name possibilities are Soldotna High School or Soldotna Central High School
- The ninth grade school and 10-12 grade high school mascots both be a Star
- The available colors for all three schools be blue, purple, black and white. (This palette opens the possibility but does not require additions of complementary highlights.)
- The committee recommends that the current student body of each of the three schools, with the guidance of staff, develop and plan the transfer and preservation of all cultural and historic elements.
“I am pleased that the advisory committee accomplished so much and I want to thank each member for their positive, can-do approach toward their committee membership,” said Dr. Atwater, Superintendent. “Now that the committee’s recommendations have been made, it is important to dispel the misinformation that large sums of money will be required for next steps. As necessary, the district will change small items, e.g., signs in front of a school, but will not commit to large cosmetic changes, e.g., changing the gym floor. I encourage everyone to look forward to the benefits that the students will receive from this reconfiguration. We have an excellent secondary staff at our three schools who will do all that they can to ensure that the transition to the new schools will be smooth.”
Thank you to Soldotna Schools Reconfiguration Advisory Committee
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
Doug Hayman, Transitions Facilitator
School reconfiguration
- Soldotna area 7-8th grade students will be housed at the existing Skyview High School
- Soldotna area 9th grade students will be housed at the existing Soldotna Middle School
- River City Academy (7-12) will be moved to the existing Soldotna Middle School
- Soldotna area 10-12 grade students will be housed at the existing Soldotna High School
Links
- NEW! KPBSD Facebook page “KPBSD Soldotna 7-12 Grade Schools Reconfiguration” https://www.facebook.com/KPBSDSoldotnaSchoolsReconfiguration
- Soldotna area 7-12 grade schools reconfiguration http://bit.ly/SoldotnaAreaSchoolsKPBSD
- Soldotna area schools Advisory Committee http://bit.ly/ReconfigurationAdvisoryCommittee
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Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release: 2013_11_08 Soldotna area schools Advisory Committee recommendations to KPBSD school board
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Media Release
KPBSD announces Soldotna 7-12 grade administrators for 2014-2015
Soldotna, October 2, 2013—The principals and assistant principals for the Soldotna schools reconfiguration were determined this week after an interview process. Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent, made the final decision. The assignments will take effect in the 2014-2015 school year, and each of the five is an administrator in good standing with the district. The administrators will remain in their current position for the 2013-2014 school year.
“One of the more pressing needs of our reconfiguration process is naming the administrators for the three Soldotna area secondary schools. In response to this need we created a process that included district administration interviewing the five Soldotna area secondary school administrators,” said Dr. Atwater. “I am pleased with how the process worked and am confident that the five will work well together in their assignments to ensure a smooth transition for our Soldotna area secondary students and staff.” The new assignments (school names are not yet determined) are:
10-12 grade high school at current Soldotna High School campus:
- Principal: Mr. Todd Syverson (currently Soldotna High School principal)
- Assistant Principal: Mr. Randy Neill (currently Skyview High School principal)
Grade 9 at current Soldotna Middle School campus:
- Principal: Mr. Curt Schmidt (currently Soldotna Middle School assistant principal)
7-8 grade middle school at current Skyview High School campus
- Principal: Mr. Sarge Truesdell (currently Soldotna Middle School principal)
- Assistant Principal: Mr. Tony Graham (currently Soldotna High School assistant principal)
- River City Academy (7-12 grade) will relocate from the Skyview High School campus to the current Soldotna Middle School campus. Mrs. Dawn Edwards-Smith will remain the administrator.
Todd Syverson said, “Over the past 24 years the KPBSD has blessed me with the privilege and honor of working with the greater Soldotna area at Skyview High School, Soldotna Middle, Redoubt Elementary, Soldotna High School, and now as the principal of the new 10-12 grade high school. My vision is to continue to strive for excellence in creating a school that has our students ready for career or college pathways that will land our students with rewarding careers and a promising future!”
“It’s been a privilege working the past nine years at Skyview High School,” said Randy Neill. “I look forward to continuing to work with students, staff, and the community in the coming years. This is great opportunity to help students and staff come together to bring out the best of both schools.”
Curtis Schmidt, new principal for the ninth grade school said, “I am excited and privileged to be selected as the principal for the Soldotna area ninth grade school. It is my intent to assist every ninth grade student in making a successful transition to high school and to provide them with a learning experience that is engaging and challenging.”
“It is an exciting time to be a member of the team at Soldotna Middle School and I feel privileged to be chosen to lead such a great school,” said Sarge Truesdell. “I look forward to being here to support our students, staff, and stake holders as we transition to a new building in 2014-2015.”
Tony Graham, who will be the new assistant principal at the 7-8 grade school said, “I am thankful to be given this opportunity and I am looking forward to cultivating a new educational community along with Sarge Truesdell. I plan to use my experience to help support students, staff, and community transition and grow.”
The Board of Education will approve these five contracts in the spring during the normal process of administrator contract renewals.
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Media Release
General Obligation Bond, Proposition 2
Soldotna, September 10, 2013—On October 1, 2013, Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) voters will be asked to consider $22,987,018 in bonds to repair ten school roofs ($20,995,282) and install a turf field at Homer High School ($1,991,736). These projects have been approved by the State Department of Education for 70% reimbursement under the state debt reimbursement program, which means the state reimburses the KPB 70% of the total cost of the bonds and KPB taxpayers pay 30%.
Voters approved Phase I of the roof school bonds project in 2010; the work was completed in 2011-2013.*
Phase II includes roofs dating back to 1967, is staggered over three years, and provides an opportunity for our local labor force. Many schools have expanded since their original construction date, and different sections of roof were built in phases.
2014
Kenai Alternative High School, Kenai Middle School, Skyview High School, Tustumena Elementary, and Homer High School turf field
2015
Homer Middle School, Kenai Central High School, Paul Banks Elementary, Soldotna Middle School
2016
Ninilchik School, Soldotna High School
“Why bond now?”
- Energy measures, such as increased roof insulation, will be built into the project plans
- The roofs have exceeded their expected useful life and are in need of repair
- The new roof systems include a 20 year warranty, and will cost less to maintain overall
- Take advantage of the 70% state debt reimbursement
Taxpayer 70% Savings on the Bond – Debt Reimbursement Program
- Borough cost: 30% of every dollar
- State Debt Reimbursement Program: 70% of every dollar (approved)
Cost to the borough taxpayer
- $ 6.77 per $100,000 assessed property value (annually)
- $ 472,350 annual net cost to Borough with State of Alaska 70% debt reimbursement program (approved)
The funds are subject to the appropriation process in the Alaska Legislature, as are all funds expended by the State of Alaska.
Borough school district roofs equal 1,861,400 square feet; nearly 43 acres of roof
*History Phase I (2011-2013)
In October, 2010, Kenai Peninsula Borough residents approved Phase I school bonds of $16,865,000 for these KPBSD schools spanning the peninsula from Seward to McNeil Canyon in Homer. The work is complete.
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“It’s important to protect almost a billion dollars in Borough facility assets. This is responsible stewardship.” – Mayor Mike Navarre
Links
- September 11, 2013, Media Release: KPB Bond Proposition No 2
- http://bit.ly/KPBproposition2SchoolRoofs
- PDF: PowerPoint presentation
- PDF: One page bond information handout
- Kenai Peninsula Borough Proposition No. 2 (to be voted on by all voters)
- Kenai Peninsula Borough Elections webpage
Contact
Mayor Mike Navarre, Kenai Peninsula Borough, 907-714-2150, mnavarre@borough.kenai.ak.us
Pegge Erkeneff, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications specialist, 907-714-8888, Pegge@KPBSD.org
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Media 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
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