American Indian parent advisory committee votes 8-0 nonconcurrence, asks Duluth Public Schools for specific actions

The American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (APAC) voted eight-to-zero on Feb. 20 that it did not concur the Duluth Public School District is meeting the needs of American Indian students and presented 16 written recommendations to the school board on Feb. 25.

APAC co-chairs Amber Greensky and Amber Lightfeather said the vote followed review of district data and meetings held to satisfy state compliance timelines. The committee notified the board at Monday's meeting and submitted signed documentation; the district's superintendent acknowledged the vote and said the district has 60 days to respond.

The APAC recommendations ask the district for a slate of immediate and near-term actions. They include touring all school sites with American Indian liaisons (inviting school board members and community partners); developing a fourth-quarter action plan in 2024-25 identifying American Indian students who need additional transportation supports and using district vans and drivers to serve them; involving the new…