The Board of Education on March 27 unanimously approved the district’s written response to a Jan. 29 vote of nonconcurrence submitted by the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC).

Isis Buchanan, director of educational equity, summarized five AIPAC recommendations and the district’s proposed responses. The recommendations addressed (1) review of disciplinary actions and middle-school American Indian student data plus cultural-proficiency professional development; (2) stronger site-level recognition of American Indian observances such as Indigenous Peoples’ Day; (3) review of the funding source for American Indian education staff salary lines and whether general education funds should be used; (4) provision of cultural space and trained staff to support smudging at school sites; and (5) broader distribution of "cultural trunks"—classroom resource kits approved by APAC.

Buchanan said the district will create a middle-school data plan, share school-level results with administrators and staff, expand professional development about American Indian history, culture and language and work with APAC and outside partners on lesson revisions. She said district staff will review the funding source used to pay the American Indian cultural specialist and indigenous cultural liaison and will share that information with APAC members.

Regarding smudging, Buchanan said district policy 4.19 was reviewed and updated to include language addressing smudging; the district will seek clarification with APAC to identify space and staff training needs so that sites can support the practice where appropriate. For cultural trunks, Buchanan said the district currently has one check‑out learning trunk and will create a plan and budget to expand approved culturally appropriate teaching materials (Ojibwe, Dakota and powwow trunks were cited as existing examples).

Trustees approved the written response without opposition. In closing, board materials expressed appreciation for AIPAC’s engagement and stated an intent to collaborate on implementation.