District outlines steps in vote-of-nonconcurrent response; cultural trunks and smudging space considered

The board received an update March 13 on the district’s planned response to issues raised in a recent vote-of-nonconcurrent review concerning American Indian students and cultural practices.

Director of Educational Equity Isis Buchanan and Superintendent Dr. Battle described a multi-part plan that includes: reviewing disciplinary data for American Indian students using the district’s EduCLIMBER data wall and site-level team discussions; updating and vetting Indigenous Peoples Day lessons with community partners and the achievement-integration partner; reviewing cultural specialist and cultural liaison funding streams to ensure compliance with grant rules; clarifying guidance and training on smudging and cultural spaces at school sites; and exploring grants and partnerships to fund cultural trunks (kits of materials and resources) for classroom use.

Buchanan said the district has submitted annual compliance documents to MDE and will present a formal response for board review and sign-off at a future meeting. Staff noted that some trunk development would require partnership with tribal or community representatives and that timelines and budgets will be developed as work continues. The district also flagged the upcoming MIEA conference as an opportunity for staff and community engagement on indigenous education topics.

Board members commended the approach and asked that the district return a formal written response for board approval at the next meeting; staff said they would do so after completing the steps described.