Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Soldotna Montessori Charter School kindergartners parade with balloons around the school playground on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Balloons on parade

Montessori kids put spin on traditional Macy’s parade

Soldotna Montessori Charter School kindergartners parade with balloons around the school playground on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer Forest School logo. (Image from Homer Forest School draft charter)

Homer group envisions school in nature

Homer Forest School would offer KPBSD students a learning model focused on immersion in the outdoors

Homer Forest School logo. (Image from Homer Forest School draft charter)
AK STAR testing results and materials are displayed on a table at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District office on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Most AK students not proficient in math, reading, new assessment finds

The first set of AK STAR results were published by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development last week

AK STAR testing results and materials are displayed on a table at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District office on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Principal Denise Kelly helps Grecia Martinez Sandstrom, second grade, dispose of lunch materials at Sterling Elementary School on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘It takes just that one person’

Sterling Elementary principal spearheads zero-waste program in lunchtime cafeteria

Principal Denise Kelly helps Grecia Martinez Sandstrom, second grade, dispose of lunch materials at Sterling Elementary School on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Homer hockey team celebrates the Division II state championship Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at the Curtis Mendard Sports Complex in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Tim Rockey/Frontiersman)

SoHi working to bring state hockey championship to Soldotna

The City of Soldotna agreed to waive ice and user fees for the event

The Homer hockey team celebrates the Division II state championship Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at the Curtis Mendard Sports Complex in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Tim Rockey/Frontiersman)
Dr. Beverley Romanin attends her first meeting as the representative for the Board of Education’s Sterling/Funny River district on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New school board member brings educational expertise to district

Beverley Romanin is Sterling and Funny River’s new representative

Dr. Beverley Romanin attends her first meeting as the representative for the Board of Education’s Sterling/Funny River district on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Abriella Werner leaps as she approaches the end of the diving board, Derrick Jones watches during a dive practice on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

From springboard to diving board

SoHi junior takes gymnastic experience to pool and breaks 17-year dive record

Abriella Werner leaps as she approaches the end of the diving board, Derrick Jones watches during a dive practice on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Efrosinia Yakunin, a Nikolaevsk parent, testifies in support of a charter school for the area during a board of education meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

2 groups pursue peninsula charter school options

There are currently four charter schools operating as part of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Efrosinia Yakunin, a Nikolaevsk parent, testifies in support of a charter school for the area during a board of education meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Homer Police Station, as seen Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News file)

Homer teen arrested after school shooting threat

Police received a tip from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Anchorage office

The Homer Police Station, as seen Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News file)
Elementary school students line up to touch a salmon during the annual egg take demonstration at the Anchor River on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Anchor Point, Alaska. Students leave the egg take event with fertilized salmon eggs to raise into fry throughout the year through the Salmon in the Classroom project hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Sport Fish Division. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News file)

Kids to get close-up look at fish life cycle

Alaska Department of Fish and Game representatives will conduct presentations at coho salmon egg takes

Elementary school students line up to touch a salmon during the annual egg take demonstration at the Anchor River on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Anchor Point, Alaska. Students leave the egg take event with fertilized salmon eggs to raise into fry throughout the year through the Salmon in the Classroom project hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Sport Fish Division. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News file)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara

What’s on the ballot: Reapportionment, new field house, school bond

Voters will decide on ballot measures that address schools, public safety and legislative bodies

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara
Cars line up ahead of dismissal at Mountain View Elementary School on Thursday, September 29, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. A bond package up for consideration by Kenai Peninsula Borough voters on Oct. 4 would fund improvements to the school’s traffic flow. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Critical needs’: Parking lot problems

Lack of space for pickup and drop-offs creates traffic jam at elementary school

Cars line up ahead of dismissal at Mountain View Elementary School on Thursday, September 29, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. A bond package up for consideration by Kenai Peninsula Borough voters on Oct. 4 would fund improvements to the school’s traffic flow. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Elementary School Principal Dr. Austin Stevenson points out elements of the school building on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Critical needs’: Aging school on the brink

Renovations are cost prohibitive at Soldotna Elementary

Soldotna Elementary School Principal Dr. Austin Stevenson points out elements of the school building on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Principal Sarge Truesdell looks at cracked siding outside of Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The siding is one of several projects in a bond package Kenai Peninsula voters will consider during the Oct. 4 municipal election. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Critical needs’: Split siding at SoHi

The damage has been given patchwork treatment over the years

Principal Sarge Truesdell looks at cracked siding outside of Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The siding is one of several projects in a bond package Kenai Peninsula voters will consider during the Oct. 4 municipal election. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of Kenai Central High School Esports gather around coach Shane Lopez before their League of Legends match Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Video gaming enters the arena

Kenai Central debuts esports team

Members of Kenai Central High School Esports gather around coach Shane Lopez before their League of Legends match Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko gestures toward a cart used to provide school lunch services on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Critical needs’: Security concerns and lunch lines

Safety upgrades, more space sought at Kenai Middle

Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko gestures toward a cart used to provide school lunch services on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Montessori Charter School Principal John DeVolld explains Montessori materials in a classroom at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Critical needs’: Soldotna Montessori maxes out

The relocation of Soldotna Montessori is included in a bond package on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot

Soldotna Montessori Charter School Principal John DeVolld explains Montessori materials in a classroom at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Middle/High School Principal Shane Bostic stands near a track and field long jump sand pit on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. The track is one of several projects in a bond package Kenai Peninsula voters will consider during the Oct. 4 municipal election next month. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Critical needs’: Nikiski athletes await upgrade

Funding for long-delayed school projects on Oct. 4 ballot

Nikiski Middle/High School Principal Shane Bostic stands near a track and field long jump sand pit on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. The track is one of several projects in a bond package Kenai Peninsula voters will consider during the Oct. 4 municipal election next month. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
(From left) Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education candidates Patti Truesdell, Virgil Gattenby, Virginia Morgan, Ryan Culbertson and Zen Kelly participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Sept. 20, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board hopefuls talk education at forum

Among topics discussed include bond proposition, teacher retention and federal funding

(From left) Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education candidates Patti Truesdell, Virgil Gattenby, Virginia Morgan, Ryan Culbertson and Zen Kelly participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Sept. 20, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A school bus advertises driver positions outside of Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. Multiple Kenai Peninsula Borough School District bus routes will be consolidated beginning next week as it faces rising prices and a labor shortage. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district further changes bus routes

Changes were shared in a Friday post to the district’s Facebook page

A school bus advertises driver positions outside of Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. Multiple Kenai Peninsula Borough School District bus routes will be consolidated beginning next week as it faces rising prices and a labor shortage. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)