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Swain County Schools clarifies Native American policy and opens after-school facility access for private therapy providers

Swain County Board of Education · January 13, 2026
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Summary

Board reviewed and approved annual revisions to policy 4060 while staff described changes to allow non-school-funded therapy providers to use facilities after school via a facilities-use form; Blue Ridge Health remains grandfathered under an existing agreement.

The Swain County Board of Education reviewed changes to the district's Native American policies and procedures and discussed updates to how outside providers may operate on school campuses.

Barbara Snead presented the district’s Native American policies and procedures, emphasizing the system’s consultation with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and parents to ensure equal access under federal impact-aid law. Staff said the district has posted policy 4060 online, is soliciting input and is revisiting the policy to clarify job expectations for Native American tutors at elementary, middle and high school levels.

During public comment, a parent (Bree) asked whether outside providers that deliver therapy services bill insurance or receive school funds and requested a public list of agencies currently serving students. The superintendent asked the commenter to provide contact information so staff could follow up and said the district would provide answers.

Staff also described a proposed change to allow organizations not funded through the school system but required under IEPs or 504 plans to use school facilities after the end of the school day by completing a facilities-use request; the district said such services would be restricted to facility hours (roughly 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and require a facilities-use form that addresses liability and scheduling. The only outside provider specifically preserved in the policy language is Blue Ridge Health, which the district said has an existing grandfathered agreement for mental-health services.

The superintendent told the board these changes will appear as a first reading and are not being adopted tonight; the board later approved the annual revision of policy 4060 (date corrections only) as recorded in the consent items.

What happens next: staff will add specific hours language and finalize the facilities-use form; the district will follow up with the public commenter about local provider lists.