Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo.

Board of education considers school consolidations

Paul Banks Elementary in Homer and Seward Middle School are currently under consideration for closure in the next academic year.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo.
Juniors who earned honor roll distinction during the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year at Soldotna High School were recognized during an assembly in the school’s auditorium on Jan. 14, 2026. Photo courtesy of Tabitha Blades, Soldotna High School
Juniors who earned honor roll distinction during the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year at Soldotna High School were recognized during an assembly in the school’s auditorium on Jan. 14, 2026. Photo courtesy of Tabitha Blades, Soldotna High School
The Alaska State Capitol building stands on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol building stands on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)
Snow covers a branch hanging over Watergate Way in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Update: District-wide schools and activities closure in effect Friday through Saturday, Jan. 16-17

All Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools and Kenai Peninsula College campuses are closed due to rain and freezing temperatures expected overnight.

Snow covers a branch hanging over Watergate Way in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo. (Photo courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)

District superintendent dispels rumors about student construction

Superintendent Clayton Holland said student involvement in Seward High School construction is “based on rumor, not fact.”

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo. (Photo courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo.
Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

School board approves initial Nikolaevsk charter application

The application will next be forwarded to the State Board of Education and Early Development for review.

Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Board of Education moves to increase school meal prices

In January, the cost of adult meals and elementary student lunches will increase.

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The cast of Kenai Central High School’s upcoming production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” pose for a photo on Nov. 6, 2025. The play will open on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Photo courtesy of Travis Lawson

Kenai students prepare to open ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

The play will premiere Friday at Kenai Central High School, with additional showings the following weekend.

The cast of Kenai Central High School’s upcoming production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” pose for a photo on Nov. 6, 2025. The play will open on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Photo courtesy of Travis Lawson
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board swears in elected members

Mica VanBuskirk and Ash-Lee Waddell were newly elected to the board in October; Patti Truesdell was reelected to her seat.

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

School board continues consideration of Nikolaevsk charter school

The board reviewed the initial charter application on Oct. 20 and will hold another work session and a special meeting before issuing their final decision.

Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Ash-Lee Waddell and Gayle Claus, candidates for the District 9 seat of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education, answer questions during an election forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI AM 890 on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

South peninsula school board candidates talk funding, future of district

Ash-Lee Waddell and Gayle Claus discussed their takes on multiple issues facing the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in an election forum last week.

Ash-Lee Waddell and Gayle Claus, candidates for the District 9 seat of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education, answer questions during an election forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI AM 890 on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Patti Truesdell, Donna Anderson and Shelby Oden, candidates for the Kalifornsky seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education, participate in a forum at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Patti Truesdell, Donna Anderson and Shelby Oden, candidates for the Kalifornsky seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education, participate in a forum at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Marching Band performs during the Second Annual Kenai Marching Showcase at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Marching Band preps for national contest during weekend showcase

The Kenai band will be traveling to Indianapolis in November to compete at the Bands of America Grand National Championships.

The Kenai Marching Band performs during the Second Annual Kenai Marching Showcase at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

School board authorizes $1.8 million in new, restored spending

The spending comes in response to the increase in funding received from the state this year.

President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly calls on school district to fund Ninilchik, Seldovia pools

The pools were defunded as of July 1 but have been kept open temporarily with other funds and community donations.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District IT Manager Jordan Chilson leads a tour of the district’s server infrastructure in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

School district highlights importance of E-Rate program during meeting with Murkowski, FCC commissioner

The federal program provides funding for expansion and development of network infrastructure.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District IT Manager Jordan Chilson leads a tour of the district’s server infrastructure in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)