Education

Paul Banks Elementary School Principal Eric Pederson interacts with students in this undated photo at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Eric Pederson)

KPBSD chooses Pederson as next Homer High principal

School district held public interviews Wednesday, April 9.

 

From left: Alaska House Reps. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak; Bill Elam, R-Nikiski; Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna; and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, take the oath of office at the Alaska Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

Ruffridge, Vance, Elam oppose stripped down education funding bill

The Senate passed a modified HB 69 on Friday that removed everything from House bill but a $1,000 BSA increase.

 

A school bus passes in front of the Alaska Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Legislature passes $1,000 per student funding boost, despite governor vowing to veto it

In an 11 to 9 vote, senators narrowly passed House Bill 69.

 

A screenshot of a Zoom meeting where Superintendent Clayton Holland (right) interviews Dr. Henry Burns (left) on Wednesday, April 9, while Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent (center) takes notes.

KPBSD considers 4 candidates for Homer High School principal position

School district held public interviews Wednesday, April 9.

A screenshot of a Zoom meeting where Superintendent Clayton Holland (right) interviews Dr. Henry Burns (left) on Wednesday, April 9, while Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent (center) takes notes.
The Kahtnuht'ana Duhdeldiht Campus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninula Clarion)

Tułen Charter School set for fall opening

The school’s curriculum integrates Dena’ina language, culture and traditional values.

The Kahtnuht'ana Duhdeldiht Campus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninula Clarion)
Zaeryn Bahr, a student of Kenai Alternative High School, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Alternative would lose staff member under proposed district budgets

Students, staff champion school as “home” for students in need.

Zaeryn Bahr, a student of Kenai Alternative High School, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Vail Coots, a Kenai Central High School student, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Students, parents speak against proposed defunding of Quest gifted program

The program is the largest single line-item cut included in all three potential budget scenarios crafted for the coming fiscal year.

Vail Coots, a Kenai Central High School student, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a meeting of the KPBSD Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD budgeting in ‘no-win situation’

School board plans to advance budget with significant reductions in staff and programs while assuming a $680 BSA increase.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a meeting of the KPBSD Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A draft of three budget scenarios that would implement deep cuts is considered during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer, Alaska, on Monday, March 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Additional cuts added to KPBSD budget reduction scenarios as April deadline looms

The school district faces a $17 million deficit.

A draft of three budget scenarios that would implement deep cuts is considered during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer, Alaska, on Monday, March 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Freeing states from the ‘stranglehold’ of the U.S. Department of Education

The USDOE has also been captured by a political ideology that has been harmful to education in America.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Students and hosts stand for a photo during a luncheon at the end of SoHi’s first Job Shadow Day, Wednesday at Soldotna Prep School. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna High launches 1st Job Shadow Day

SoHi students spread across community on Wednesday to try out professions.

Students and hosts stand for a photo during a luncheon at the end of SoHi’s first Job Shadow Day, Wednesday at Soldotna Prep School. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Delana Green teaches music to kindergarteners at Tustumena Elementary School in Kasilof on Friday, March 21. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bringing back music education

Tustumena Elementary students get lessons from Artist-in-residence Delana Green.

Delana Green teaches music to kindergarteners at Tustumena Elementary School in Kasilof on Friday, March 21. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninula Clarion)

State board approves Tułen Charter School

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe will be able to open their charter school this fall.

The Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninula Clarion)
Cemre Akgul of Turkey, center left, and Flokarta Hoxha of Kosovo, center right, stand for a photo with members of their host family, Casady and Patrick Herding, at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Photo provided by Patrick Herding)

International students get the Alaska experience

Students to share their experiences visiting the Kenai Peninsula at a fundraiser dinner on Sunday.

Cemre Akgul of Turkey, center left, and Flokarta Hoxha of Kosovo, center right, stand for a photo with members of their host family, Casady and Patrick Herding, at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Photo provided by Patrick Herding)
Virginia Morgan speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer, Alaska, on Monday, March 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

School budget scenarios would cut staffing, programs

Even at the highest level of funding, the drafts describe significant cuts.

Virginia Morgan speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer, Alaska, on Monday, March 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Around 100 people fill seats during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer on Monday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

School board strikes 6 schools from closure consideration

The board will continue to consider closing Nikolaevsk School, Sterling and Tustumena.

Around 100 people fill seats during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer on Monday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Member Jordan Chilson speaks in support of an ordinance that would establish a residential property tax exemption during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna joins call for increased school funding

The city is calling for an increase to the BSA and ongoing inflation proofing of that amount.

Member Jordan Chilson speaks in support of an ordinance that would establish a residential property tax exemption during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cy Garcia, a student at Soldotna High School, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly calls on state to boost school funding

The move was made as the school district faces a $17 million budget deficit.

Cy Garcia, a student at Soldotna High School, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD to tackle budget, school closures at Monday meeting in Homer

The district is facing a $17 million deficit.

Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Professor of Process Technology Jeffrey Laube explains equipment to Kachemak Bay Campus Director Brian Partridge at a showcase of Kenai Peninsula College’s career and technical education programs in the college’s Career and Technical Center in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula College showcases career programs to Board of Regents

A group of KPC students were first to speak during the full board meeting Thursday afternoon.

Professor of Process Technology Jeffrey Laube explains equipment to Kachemak Bay Campus Director Brian Partridge at a showcase of Kenai Peninsula College’s career and technical education programs in the college’s Career and Technical Center in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)