Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

A voting booth for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections is photographed at Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)

Candidate filing period for city, borough elections now open

The filing deadline is Aug. 15

A voting booth for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections is photographed at Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce, left, and committee Chair Jason Tauriainen participate in the first meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Four Day School Week Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board committee asks district to develop plan for potential 4-day school week

The plan would be brought to the community for input and consideration

Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce, left, and committee Chair Jason Tauriainen participate in the first meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Four Day School Week Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelley Cizek speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD reverses budget cuts after Dunleavy approves one-time funding increase

The additional funding KPBSD will receive includes around $11.4 million in per-student money and $740,000 for student transportation.

Kelley Cizek speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

State correspondence allotment program to continue unchanged

Alaska Supreme Court sides with state, overturns Superior Court ruling that called program ‘unconstitutional’

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy is pictured with members of the House Majority after signing the fiscal year 2025 budget bills on June 27 in Anchorage. From left to right: Reps. Stanley Wright, Tom McKay, Thomas Baker, Craig Johnson, Kevin McCabe, Julie Coulombe, and Laddie Shaw. (Photo provided by Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy signs budget with most education funding intact

Dunleavy cut nearly $12 million that was set to go to school districts, including KPBSD, in outstanding pandemic relief funds

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is pictured with members of the House Majority after signing the fiscal year 2025 budget bills on June 27 in Anchorage. From left to right: Reps. Stanley Wright, Tom McKay, Thomas Baker, Craig Johnson, Kevin McCabe, Julie Coulombe, and Laddie Shaw. (Photo provided by Office of the Governor)
Kenai Central High School stands under clear skies in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough issues contract for new KCHS concession stand

The $733,000 contract covers the cost of the construction of a new building that’s 24 feet by 36 feet

Kenai Central High School stands under clear skies in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
An arch marks the entrance to the Church of St. Nicholas on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. In rear, cars are parked in front of a building that has been used this school year as a makeshift classroom for families part of a home-school cooperative. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikolaevsk, Forest School charters not moving forward

Nikolaevsk’s application sought a school with closer adherence to the practices of Nikolaevsk’s Russian Old Believer community

An arch marks the entrance to the Church of St. Nicholas on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. In rear, cars are parked in front of a building that has been used this school year as a makeshift classroom for families part of a home-school cooperative. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Clayton Holland, superintendent of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, speaks during a meeting of the Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Holland to remain KPBSD superintendent

Clayton Holland will remain the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s superintendent through June 2027 after the district’s Board of Education on Monday approved a new… Continue reading

Clayton Holland, superintendent of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, speaks during a meeting of the Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Zen Kelly, president of the board, speaks during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s School Board in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

School board directs KPBSD to begin restoring cut positions

The board had previously advanced and approved a budget based on “the worst-case scenario” of no additional funding for the state

Zen Kelly, president of the board, speaks during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s School Board in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly President Brent Johnson asks questions of representatives of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District during a joint work session of the School Board and Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to enter contract for asbestos flooring abatement in 3 central peninsula schools

The work will be done at Kenai Central High, Kenai Alternative High and Sterling Elementary schools

Assembly President Brent Johnson asks questions of representatives of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District during a joint work session of the School Board and Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central High School stands under clear skies in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough approves contract for KCHS parking lot rehabilitation

Soldotna-based Foster Construction will be awarded the bid of $648,997 to complete the project

Kenai Central High School stands under clear skies in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
(from left to right) Jachin Sanchez, Carter Lemons, Rowan Mahoney, Adelyn McCorison and Taylor Rickard graduated from Ninilchik School on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo provided by Mattea Peters-Williamson

Ninilchik graduates 5 in 2024 commencement

The school held the ceremony Monday, May 13

(from left to right) Jachin Sanchez, Carter Lemons, Rowan Mahoney, Adelyn McCorison and Taylor Rickard graduated from Ninilchik School on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo provided by Mattea Peters-Williamson
Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce, left, and committee Chair Jason Tauriainen participate in the first meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Four Day School Week Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

4-day school week committee adjourns

The committee will deliver recommendations to school board in July

Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce, left, and committee Chair Jason Tauriainen participate in the first meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Four Day School Week Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Elementary School Principal Dr. Austin Stevenson points out corroded insulation outside of the school building on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 in Soldotna . (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Elementary awaits action on approved bond

Almost two years after public OKs bond, borough asking for more time

Soldotna Elementary School Principal Dr. Austin Stevenson points out corroded insulation outside of the school building on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 in Soldotna . (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Screenshot Graduates of Seward High School leave the gym at the end of their graduation ceremony on Wednesday.

‘Give people something to talk about’

Seward High School graduates 30

Screenshot Graduates of Seward High School leave the gym at the end of their graduation ceremony on Wednesday.
Graduates listen to Connections Homeschool Principal Doug Hayman speak during the school’s commencement ceremony on Thursday in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion) Graduates listen to Connections Homeschool Principal Doug Hayman speak during the school’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 16, 2024 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Expect a lot from yourself and from others’

Connections Homeschool students accept diplomas at commencement ceremony

Graduates listen to Connections Homeschool Principal Doug Hayman speak during the school’s commencement ceremony on Thursday in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion) Graduates listen to Connections Homeschool Principal Doug Hayman speak during the school’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 16, 2024 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Middle/High School graduates throw their caps into the air at the conclusion of a graduation ceremony in the school’s gym in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski graduates ‘will always be a part of each other’s stories’

The graduates celebrated their time together and took a moment to anticipate the bright futures that lie ahead

Nikiski Middle/High School graduates throw their caps into the air at the conclusion of a graduation ceremony in the school’s gym in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Caitlin Babcock, left, and other graduates enter Soldotna High School’s commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna sends off more than 140 graduates at Tuesday commencement

More than 140 students stepped off the Soldotna High School graduation stage and into their futures on Justin Maile Field on Tuesday evening, where school… Continue reading

Caitlin Babcock, left, and other graduates enter Soldotna High School’s commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Students of Kenai Alternative High School proceed into a graduation ceremony in the school’s gym in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Alt grads take ownership of their lives, told ‘make it into something spectacular’

The school graduated 19 students Tuesday

Students of Kenai Alternative High School proceed into a graduation ceremony in the school’s gym in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students of Kenai Central High School celebrate at the end of their graduation ceremony in the school’s auditorium in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 13, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Central grads look to future in a changing world, urged to ‘make it change for the better’

The Class of 2024 graduated Monday

Students of Kenai Central High School celebrate at the end of their graduation ceremony in the school’s auditorium in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 13, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)