Corvallis School District staff and members of the district’s Indian Parent Committee presented a Title VI Indian Education grant update at the May 8 meeting, reporting expanded parent engagement, a ribbon‑shirt and ribbon‑skirt workshop and plans for an enlarged grant award in 2025–26.

The district’s multilingual programs and equity coordinator, Marcianne, and Indian Parent Committee chair Christy Jones described a November native community potluck and an April sewing workshop led by Siletz tribal member Sonia Moody Jurado, who helped families and students construct traditional regalia. Christy Jones said organizers provided supplies and sewing instructors and offered free follow‑up sewing time through a local shop for participants who could not finish during the two‑hour session.

Why it matters: The committee said the grant’s goals are to strengthen supports for native students’ cultural identity and academic achievement and to increase parent participation. The presenters said the district used registration and Synergy data to invite families and that Oregon State University student groups have assisted at community events to mentor K–12 students.

Planned activities and grant change: Presenters said the grant’s second year supported community events and that an increase in family responses to district forms allowed the Indian Parent Committee to request roughly a 50% increase in Title VI funding for next school year. The committee also plans a native graduation on May 27 and ordered native regalia items from a Hoopa Valley vendor for student participants.

Board reaction: Board members thanked the presenters and recognized volunteer time. The board’s equity liaison said the district would invite the new parents to the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion advisory forums to deepen engagement.

Ending: The board opened a short public‑comment period for Title VI testimony; students and families described cultural activities, and one fifth‑grade student carried a tribal flag and described participation in school culture day. The board closed the Title VI public hearing after hearing the submitted testimony and directed staff to continue outreach and grant implementation work.

Speakers:[{"name":"Marcianne","role_title":"Multilingual programs and equity coordinator","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"Corvallis SD 509J"},{"name":"Christy Jones","role_title":"Indian Parent Committee chair","affiliation_type":"citizen","affiliation_name":"Indian Parent Committee"},{"name":"Sonia Moody Jurado","role_title":"Guest instructor","affiliation_type":"citizen","affiliation_name":"Siletz Tribal member (guest)"},{"name":"Sydelle Harrison","role_title":"Parent","affiliation_type":"citizen","affiliation_name":"Corvallis SD 509J"},{"name":"Blake Ashley","role_title":"5th-grade student","affiliation_type":"citizen","affiliation_name":"Adams Elementary"},{"name":"Jacoby","role_title":"10th-grade student","affiliation_type":"citizen","affiliation_name":"Corvallis High School"}],"authorities":[{"type":"grant","name":"Title VI Indian Education Grant","referenced_by":["presentation","public hearing"]}],"actions":[],"discussion_decision":{"discussion_points":["Summary of events funded by the Title VI grant: community potluck, ribbon‑skirt/shirt workshop, beading and mentoring events with OSU students."],"directions":["Board to continue outreach and invite new Indian Parent Committee members to district DEI advisory meetings."],"decisions":["Staff will pursue increased Title VI funding for 2025–26 and continue planned events, including native graduation on May 27."]},"clarifying_details":[{"category":"ribbon skirt workshop","detail":"18 families registered; 16 youth shirts, 16 adult shirts and 6 ribbon skirts listed in post‑event tally; not all finished the event; follow‑up finishing provided at Corvallis Sewing and Vacuum","source_speaker":"Christy Jones"},{"category":"native graduation","detail":"34 seniors will receive invitations for the native graduation on May 27","source_speaker":"Marcianne"}],"proper_names":[{"name":"Corvallis School District 509J","type":"agency"},{"name":"Siletz Tribe","type":"other"},{"name":"Hoopa Valley Tribe","type":"other"},{"name":"Oregon State University Native American Student Association","type":"organization"}],"community_relevance":{"geographies":["Corvallis","Benton County, OR"],"funding_sources":["Title VI Indian Education Grant"],"impact_groups":["Native American students","families","OSU Native students as mentors"]},"meeting_context":{"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":8,"duration_minutes":35,"items_count":1},"implementation_risk":"low","history":[{"date":"2024-11","note":"Initial community potluck noted as prior event"}]},"searchable_tags":["Title VI","Indian Education Grant","ribbon skirt","native graduation","Indian Parent Committee"],"provenance":{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"9315.625","local_start":0,