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Board accepts Native American Parent Advisory Committee vote of nonconcurrence, committee urges action on achievement gap and data
Summary
The board formally accepted a NAPAC resolution declaring nonconcurrence with the district’s services for Native American students, citing achievement gaps, attendance and graduation disparities and concerns about incomplete data collection.
The South St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education voted Feb. 24 to accept the Native American Parent Advisory Committee’s annual vote of nonconcurrence following a presentation by Amy Winter on behalf of NAPAC.
Amy Winter summarized the committee’s review and said members “expressed their belief that the district has not fully met these needs,” citing persistent disparities in academic achievement, daily attendance and graduation rates. NAPAC also flagged “a lack of accurate data collection in recent years” that impedes targeted interventions, Winter said.
Why it matters: A vote of nonconcurrence is the committee’s formal statement under state advisory‑committee requirements that the district’s offerings are not yet meeting the needs of American Indian students. The committee acknowledged areas of improvement but urged the district to implement recommendations from its prior presentations to close gaps and improve data practices.
Board action: The board voted to accept NAPAC’s decision (vote recorded as 7‑0). Chair Heumann and other board members thanked NAPAC members and reaffirmed the district’s intent to work on the concerns raised.
Next steps: The superintendent and board members said they will follow up on the committee’s recommendations. NAPAC co‑chair Renee Davis and member Siobhan Lashley attended the meeting; the board previously heard the committee’s presentation at a Feb. 10 work session.
