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 American Indian education coordinator and local tribal urban offices in vetting professional development and curriculum; producing a human-resources plan to retain American Indian educators and sharing data on American Indian staffing and hiring outcomes; and clarifying funding and admission criteria for the Denfeld Indigenous Cohort pilot program, including who may be removed from the cohort and which supports follow removal.

APAC also asked the district to increase American Indian liaison staffing to ensure caseloads align with evidence-based recommendations (APAC cited a 1:30 ratio as typical guidance), to provide APAC with regular district reports on attendance and academic services, and to inventory and make accessible cultural materials currently stored off-site. The committee requested monthly disclosure of P-card purchases and purchase orders tied to American Indian Education funds and a transparent line-item budget showing FTE and building assignments for American Indian education staff.

APAC said it had not received required ESSA data while developing the American Indian education plan and that tribal consultation dates reported in federal documentation were inaccurate. The committee flagged a publicly available district audit item suggesting a restricted American Indian education balance of $114,974 and asked the district to explain whether that figure is carryover, special-education reimbursement or otherwise.

During the Feb. 25 meeting Superintendent Magus acknowledged the nonconcurrence vote, said district staff would work diligently to address the recommendations and promised a follow-up at the next call meeting. Board Chair Eder and members who questioned APAC emphasized appreciation for the committee's work and asked for copies of the written recommendations.

APAC members said they expect the district's formal response within 60 days as required by procedure; APAC also requested an ongoing seat at the school board table and strengthened pathways for students through partnerships with local tribal authorities and urban Indian offices.

The APAC presentation and its written recommendations were entered into the meeting record and received by the board. The school district indicated staff would review the items and return with responses and implementation steps within the statutory timeframe.

Clarifying details provided by APAC included the date of their vote (02/20/2025); that eight voting members formed a quorum; that APAC requested evidence-based caseload guidance (citing 1:30 as an example); that APAC sought itemized salary and reimbursement details by FTE and building; and that the committee believes ESSA data and tribal consultation timelines were not provided as required.

The district did not vote to concur or nonconcur at the Feb. 25 meeting; the board is now in receipt of APAC's 8-0 nonconcurrence and must provide a written response on the committee's recommendations within 60 days.

Sources: APAC presentation to the Duluth Public School Board on Feb. 25, 2025, and district comments to the board at the same meeting.