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ISD 622 board accepts American Indian Parent Advisory Committee letter of concurrence
Summary
The Independent School District 622 board voted to accept a letter of concurrence from its American Indian Parent Advisory Committee, which praised recent initiatives and requested ongoing curriculum consultation to align instruction with Minnesota standards for Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) and Dakota histories and cultures.
The Independent School District 622 school board voted to accept a letter of concurrence from the district's American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC), the board confirmed at its regular meeting.
The AIPAC's letter, presented by Perry Stone, a parent and AIPAC member, says the committee reviewed recent initiatives addressing academics and attendance and voted to file a letter of concurrence for ISD 622. "The American Indian Parent Advisory Committee has voted to file a letter of concurrence for ISD 622," Stone said during the meeting.
The nut graf: AIPAC credited district programs that the committee said support American Indian students and requested a formal role in curriculum alignment. The committee asked that Indian education staff and parent advisors be included in the district's adoption and revision of curriculum components that reference Minnesota tribes and their histories.
Board members heard that the committee endorsed initiatives including transitional supports for eighth-grade students entering high school, alternative high school options, arts exposure programs (including theater and choir), urban debate and leadership building, and math supports described in the presentation. Rebecca Buck, the district's American Indian education coordinator, said parents 'guide the program: "Our program is guided through our parent committee. They have the students that we service and so it's really important that we get their voice in our program."
During discussion, board members sought clarification about whether parents were currently consulted at every stage of curriculum selection. AIPAC representatives said Indian education staff review curriculum sections and advise selection committees, but parents do not always receive direct, routine updates when new curriculum is adopted. Perry Stone asked the board to provide parents access to curriculum lessons that include American Indian teachings so families can see what students will be taught.
The superintendent, Tucci Osorio, and staff described close collaboration with Indian education staff and acknowledged the request for more routine parent consultation and transparency. Osorio noted the district's continuing focus on equity and monitoring of federal guidance related to curriculum and funding, but did not commit to specific procedural changes at the meeting.
The board motion to accept the letter of concurrence was moved and seconded; the board voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ending: The AIPAC letter will be part of the district's public record. Board members and staff indicated they will continue conversations about how to provide the committee with more regular access to curriculum materials and to document consultation as standards are revised.
