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Board approves memorandum of understanding with Washoe tribal education program to restore student services
Summary
Trustees voted unanimously to approve an updated MOU with the Washoe Tribe to resume information sharing and student support services, with final edits acceptable to district legal counsel.
The Douglas County School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding on June 26 to reestablish a formal agreement with the Washoe Tribe’s education program for information sharing and coordination of tribal services for Native students.
District and tribal representatives said the updated agreement restores relationships that previously existed between the tribe and local schools and aims to provide tutoring, attendance and family‑engagement supports. The tribe’s education staff described services that include education advisers at school sites, pre‑college advising, scholarship help, home visits for students with attendance issues, tutoring, referrals to culturally relevant services and outreach to families to help navigate school systems.
Board members discussed a drafting issue in section 1.b.6 of the MOU that, as written in one draft, allowed the district to revoke the tribe’s access to student information “without cause and without prior notice.” Board counsel advised the board to approve the agreement in a form acceptable to district legal counsel so the counsel can adjust language to ensure the tribe has an opportunity to correct errors prior to any final revocation of access; trustees made clear that counsel’s edits must preserve legal compliance and parental consent procedures.
Megan Newman, education services manager for the Washoe Tribe, and tribal chairperson (introduced at the meeting) described the tribe’s local programs and said the tribe wants to ensure consent is obtained annually and that information sharing follows the law. Trustees said they were pleased to reestablish the agreement and to work with tribal staff on implementation.
Motion and vote: A motion to approve the memorandum of understanding between the Washoe Tribe and Douglas County School District “in a form acceptable to DCSD legal counsel” passed unanimously.
The district said staff will finalise the MOU with legal counsel and will implement an annual consent process for parents so tribal advisers can be included in appropriate meetings and information sharing when families consent. The board asked staff to confirm follow‑up steps and timelines as part of implementation.
