Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Clayton Holland

Holland to be next superintendent

The board unanimously supported Holland, who will take over from O’Brien later this year

Clayton Holland
Pegge Erkeneff (left) virtually interviews Dr. Clayton Holland (right) on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (screenshot)

Superintendent finalists share experience, visions

Ahead of interviews, the three candidates participated in QAs with the district’s communications director

Pegge Erkeneff (left) virtually interviews Dr. Clayton Holland (right) on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (screenshot)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Superintendent John O’Brien (courtesy photo)

School board to interview superintendent candidates

The new superintendent, who will replace Superintendent John O’Brien, will begin serving on July 1.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Superintendent John O’Brien (courtesy photo)
Image via Kenai Peninsula School District

Eastern peninsula students to return full time on Monday

Includes Seward Elementary, Seward Middle, Seward High and Moose Pass schools,

Image via Kenai Peninsula School District
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion

Eastern peninsula schools drop to medium risk

When a school or region shifts to medium risk, all students will be allowed to return to on-site learning every day with enhanced COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
The River City Academy class of 2019 awaits the walking ceremony Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

City of Soldotna now accepting scholarship applications

In total, the committees will award up to a combined $55,100 to eligible applicants

The River City Academy class of 2019 awaits the walking ceremony Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Schools head to ‘medium’ risk

Eastern and southern peninsula schools may return to in-person learning five days a week for all grades on Jan. 25

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

As in-person learning resumes, parents ask for more changes

Many called for allowing students in all grades to resume in-person learning five days a week or for eliminating mask requirements for student athletes while active.

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Vaughn Dosko adjusts a basket for sanitizing rags at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More students resume in-person learning

Students returned to in-person learning on Monday in response to downward trends in COVID-19 case trajectories

Vaughn Dosko adjusts a basket for sanitizing rags at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Vaughn Dosko (left) and Sarah Hutchison (right) discuss COVID-19 mitigation in Hutchison’s classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A change in culture’: Kenai Middle prepares for return of more students

The school is one of many preparing for the return of more students to in-person learning on Monday

Vaughn Dosko (left) and Sarah Hutchison (right) discuss COVID-19 mitigation in Hutchison’s classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna's Morgan Bouschor digs up a ball against Kenai Central on Nov. 7, 2020, at Kenai Central High School. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Hockey, basketball practice to start Monday

Hockey practice normally starts in the middle of October.

Soldotna's Morgan Bouschor digs up a ball against Kenai Central on Nov. 7, 2020, at Kenai Central High School. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Graphic by Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Graphic by Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion

KPBSD resumes remote learning for new quarter

A decision will be made Tuesday about whether schools will resume onsite learning on Jan. 11

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent John O’Brien, bottom left, gives a presentation to members of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce during a virtual luncheon held via Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. Also pictured: Kenai Chamber Executive Director Brittany Brown, top left, moderator Merrill Sikorski, top right, and KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Dave Jones, bottom right. (Screenshot)

O’Brien optimistic about kids returning to classrooms

At chamber luncheon, the school superintendent shared details on the district’s path forward.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent John O’Brien, bottom left, gives a presentation to members of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce during a virtual luncheon held via Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. Also pictured: Kenai Chamber Executive Director Brittany Brown, top left, moderator Merrill Sikorski, top right, and KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Dave Jones, bottom right. (Screenshot)
Image via KPBSD
Image via KPBSD
Protesters gather at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways on Tuesday, Dec. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Parents protest remote learning

People held signs and glow sticks in Soldotna to protest remote learning

Protesters gather at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways on Tuesday, Dec. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska.
From left to right, Peyton Cobb, Mason Bock and Myla Cobb hold signs opposing remote learning on Monday, Dec. 14. (Photo courtesy of Andie Bock).
From left to right, Peyton Cobb, Mason Bock and Myla Cobb hold signs opposing remote learning on Monday, Dec. 14. (Photo courtesy of Andie Bock).
Todd Brewer (photo courtesy of Sarah Adelmann Spanos)

Seward mourning ‘Hot Rod’ Todd Brewer

The beloved school activities bus driver died on Dec. 3 from COVID-19 complications.

Todd Brewer (photo courtesy of Sarah Adelmann Spanos)
Image via KPBSD

On-site learning may resume in January

K-6 students will be allowed to return to school on Jan. 19 even if their region is at high risk.

Image via KPBSD
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 580 new cases, 36 on the peninsula

All peninsula communities were affected except for Fritz Creek and Other South

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)