Borough to propose bonds for new K-Selo school

Kenai Peninsula Borough voters may be asked to take on revenue bonds to fund a new school for the remote Old Believer community of Kachemak Selo.

Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce’s administration plans to introduce an ordinance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly to ask voters to approve an approximately $5 million bond package to help finance the school. The state has already promised approximately $10 million for the construction, but the borough is required to provide a match.

Kachemak Selo is one of three small Old Believer Russian Orthodox villages east of Homer on Kachemak Bay. The village’s approximately 46 students currently attend school in a set of converted houses with a variety of structural flaws, like cracks in the walls and substandard power.

The state appropriated the money with the condition of a borough match in June 2016. However, the borough match was too high to fund out of pocket, so the borough has been considering how to pay for it since, as well as where to put the new school facility. Pierce said at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday that the biggest cost drivers are building the road access and upgrading the power connection.

“There’s a workgroup working on this and we will very soon bring some options to (the assembly) as far as bonding the matching dollars,” Pierce said.

Borough staff members were headed down to meet with the Kachemak-Selo community Wednesday and talk about the future for the school, Pierce said. The site selection committee identified a preferred location for the school up above the village, he said. Kachemak Selo is separated from the rest of the Kenai Peninsula’s road system by a steep set of switchbacks that the borough has previously identified as a cost barrier because it would be too expensive to bring that system up to borough road standards.

Reach Elizabeth Earl at elizabeth.earl@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

State House District 6 candidates Rep. Sarah Vance, Dawson Slaughter and Brent Johnson participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Saturday update: House District 6 race tightens slightly in new results

Neither incumbent Rep. Sarah Vance or challenger Brent Johnson have claimed 50% of votes in the race

A grader moves down 1st Avenue in Kenai, Alaska, during a snow storm on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Storm system to bring weekend snow to western Kenai Peninsula

Extended periods of light to moderate snow are expected Friday through Sunday morning

Homer Electric Association Chief Operating Officer Rob Montgomery speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
HEA talks search for new energy sources, hazard trees at chamber luncheon

The utility produces 90% of its electricity using natural gas

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Update: Troopers arrest Anchor Point man wanted on felony warrants

Troopers sought help from the public in a search for Tanner Allen Geiser

From left: Joseph Miller Jr. and Jason Woodruff, Alaska State Troopers charged with felony first-degree assault, appear with their lawyers, Clinton Campion and Matthew Widmer, for an arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Troopers renew not guilty pleas after grand jury indictment

Woodruff, Miller charged with felony first-degree assault for alleged conduct during May arrest in Kenai

Canna Get Happy owner Sandra Millhouse, left, appears with attorney Richard Moses during a meeting of the Board of Adjustment at Kenai City Hall in Kenai, Alaska, on Oct. 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai board of adjustment denies Canna Get Happy appeal

The owner sought to operate a retail marijuana establishment at Swanson Square in Kenai

A winter weather advisory and special weather statement are in effect for the western Kenai Peninsula, while other messages are published for the eastern Kenai Peninsula, in this map from the National Weather Service. (Screenshot/National Weather Service)
Snowfall, heavy winds forecast for tonight

Winter weather advisory and other messages from National Weather Service effective through Friday morning

The storefront of Madly Krafty in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce holds 5th annual Spark event

Soldotna sharks give $4,000 scholarship to local gift shop

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a meeting of the KPBSD Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School board considers ‘hypothetical’ 4-day calendar, asks for community survey

Included in the work session notes is a potential calendar describing weeks running from Monday to Thursday starting in August 2025

Most Read