Fountain Hills board adopts revised Native American policies to secure Impact Aid funding

The Fountain Hills Unified School District governing board on Jan. 15 approved revised Native American policies and procedures administrators said are required for the district’s Impact Aid submission.

Superintendent Dr. Jay told board members the district has worked for a year with a Native American parent committee and representatives from Fort McDowell and Salt River to update bylaws and consultation processes. He described the revision as a grant-related requirement and said, "This is the only it's over a million dollars," when explaining the urgency of submitting the application.

Board discussion focused on whether the document was truly new policy or an update of an existing document. One board member asked why the district could not use a general policy that applies to all students; administration replied the grant requires a specific document, historically called "Indian policies and procedures," and the committee opted for the name "Native American policies and procedures." Administrators said the updated document will formalize annual consultations, data review in site councils and how grant dollars will be spent.

A motion to approve the revised policies was made and seconded; the board recorded four votes in favor and one abstention. Administration said the district can return to the board for clarification and will provide the redline version when requested.

What happens next: administration will finalize the Impact Aid submission and continue committee consultation and annual review; the board requested more detail, including grant requirements and a redline showing edits.

Sources: statements and discussion during the board meeting and the recorded vote on the policy item.