Education

Kenai Central High School graduates prepare to enter the auditorium for their graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central High School graduates prepare to enter the auditorium for their graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
KPBSD Superintendent Clayton Holland
KPBSD Superintendent Clayton Holland
Graduates walk in to a ceremony at Soldotna High School on Monday, May 15, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘You have been set up for success’

Soldotna High School graduates more than 120 at Monday night ceremony

Graduates walk in to a ceremony at Soldotna High School on Monday, May 15, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Alternative High School graduates deliver roses to their supporters during a graduation ceremony on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Kenai Alternative High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Alternative High School graduates deliver roses to their supporters during a graduation ceremony on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Kenai Alternative High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula College graduates proceed into the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium for Kenai Peninsula College’s 53rd annual commencement on Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating ‘a milestone’

Kenai Peninsula College graduates honored at commencement ceremony

Kenai Peninsula College graduates proceed into the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium for Kenai Peninsula College’s 53rd annual commencement on Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Elementary students prepare to stock rainbow trout in Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Johnson Lake in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids gather for annual Salmon Celebration at Johnson Lake

They stocked rainbow trout in the lake and visited dozens of booths to learn about fish, wildlife, habitat and regulations

Elementary students prepare to stock rainbow trout in Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Johnson Lake in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board considers capital improvement plan

Of the 13 projects included on the district’s priority list, eight are being funded through the school maintenance bond

Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A trombone player in the robes of a jedi warms up during Pops in the Parking Lot at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai bands take annual concert outside

“Pops in the Parking Lot” stood in for Kenai Central High School’s year-end band concert

A trombone player in the robes of a jedi warms up during Pops in the Parking Lot at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland, center, addresses the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during a budget work session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly OKs max school funding

The borough will contribute $54.8 million to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District for fiscal year 2024

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland, center, addresses the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during a budget work session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
First Place Winner Paxton McKnight, of Cook Inlet Academy, is introduced by Merrill Sikorski at the Caring for the Kenai Awards Celebration held during a Joint Chamber Luncheon on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Chambers honor Caring for the Kenai finalists

The contest challenges peninsula students to devise ways to improve the environment or prepare for a natural disaster

First Place Winner Paxton McKnight, of Cook Inlet Academy, is introduced by Merrill Sikorski at the Caring for the Kenai Awards Celebration held during a Joint Chamber Luncheon on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/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 briefed on remote learning opportunities

Members of the school board’s small schools committee were briefed Monday about the kinds of remote learning opportunities made available to students. The committee, officially… Continue reading

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 Alaska Capitol is photographed in January 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file)

School funding tops district’s priority list

“Parental rights” legislation and defined benefit plans were also among concerns discussed

The Alaska Capitol is photographed in January 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file)
A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly to get first crack at proposed budget Tuesday

Lower property taxes and full funding for education are included in a draft version of the budget

A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Apayauq Reitan, the first transgender woman to participate in the Iditarod, tells the House Education Committee on March 30, 2023, why she opposes a bill restricting sex and gender content in schools. A second meeting for public testimony is scheduled Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

Peninsula voices among ‘parental rights’ debate in Juneau

People who spoke in opposition outnumbered those who spoke in support by three to one

Apayauq Reitan, the first transgender woman to participate in the Iditarod, tells the House Education Committee on March 30, 2023, why she opposes a bill restricting sex and gender content in schools. A second meeting for public testimony is scheduled Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
All 12 finalists of the Caring for the Kenai competition receive their awards at Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Clarion file)

Caring for the Kenai finalists to present Thursday

12 high school finalists are expected to take the stage to present their proposals

All 12 finalists of the Caring for the Kenai competition receive their awards at Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Clarion file)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, April 10, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board OKs policy revisions

Changes to the policy, which was first adopted in 2006, came as part of a routine review

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, April 10, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View Elementary School teacher Kristin Perkins demonstrates with students “phonemic awareness” with practices from Heggerty during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meeting on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

District to debut new English language curriculum this fall

The curriculum was selected to align with with state standards and the Alaska Reads Act

Mountain View Elementary School teacher Kristin Perkins demonstrates with students “phonemic awareness” with practices from Heggerty during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meeting on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, April 10, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Connections looks to boost home-school enrollment

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche has pointed to state money that goes to non-KPBSD home-schooled students

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, April 10, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education member Penny Vadla; Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent; Board members Jason Tauriainen and Matt Morse; and student representative Ashley Dahlman participate in a board meeting on Monday, April 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board sends KPBSD budget, with cuts, to borough assembly

Among the cuts put forth were the elimination of theater technicians and pool supervisors

From left: Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education member Penny Vadla; Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent; Board members Jason Tauriainen and Matt Morse; and student representative Ashley Dahlman participate in a board meeting on Monday, April 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council member Henry Knackstedt (left), Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (center) and Kenai City Council member Teea Winger (right) debate a resolution that would have voiced the city’s support for a legislative increase in school district funding during a city council meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council member Henry Knackstedt (left), Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (center) and Kenai City Council member Teea Winger (right) debate a resolution that would have voiced the city’s support for a legislative increase in school district funding during a city council meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)