APAC tells Rochester Public Schools it cannot concur yet, urges more Indigenous staff and program funding
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Summary
The American Indian Parent Advisory Committee delivered a letter of non‑concurrence on staffing and program sustainability for Dakota language and cultural education, asking the district to expand the 0.5–1.5 FTE Indigenous liaison to a full‑time role, strengthen hiring pathways, fund elders‑in‑residence and partner formally with Prairie Island.
The American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (APAC) told the Rochester Public Schools board on Feb. 17 that it could not concur with the district's current Indigenous education staffing and urged immediate, sustained changes.
APAC member David — who introduced himself by his Dakota name and English name during the presentation — read an annual compliance letter submitted under Minnesota Indian education requirements and the federal Indian Education Formula Grant program. The letter said the American Indian education program is “significantly overextended,” citing roughly 1.5 FTE serving more than 230 students across 27 school buildings and urging that the part‑time indigenous liaison be expanded to a full‑time position “with the potential to transition into an indigenous social worker position.”
"Our school remains safe havens for every student, regardless of background or immigration status," David said during the presentation, framing APAC's broader requests as efforts to strengthen supports for students.
APAC's letter enumerated specific asks: prioritize American Indian recruitment and retention by attending targeted hiring events and coordinating with tribal colleges; include APAC representation on interview committees for indigenous‑specific roles; hire qualified Dakota language and culture teachers and ensure long‑term staffing sustainability; provide culturally appropriate professional development on indigenous history and trauma for all staff; expand the elder‑in‑residence program; and establish a formal partnership and regular consultation with the Prairie Island Indian Community to vet curriculum and cultural protocol.
Board members responded with questions about implementation and alignment with district initiatives. Director Whitehorn said she appreciated the thoroughness of the recommendations and asked APAC to include more implementation detail (timelines, staffing models) where possible. APAC presenters said meaningful implementation would require sustained funding, broader district coordination and time to build policy and school‑level practices.
Superintendent Nathan (introduced earlier in the meeting) and other board members said staff will draft a formal response and return with additional information at a future meeting. Chair Nathan thanked APAC for the work and affirmed the district'level commitment to continued collaboration.
Next steps: the board recorded the APAC letter as an information item and said it will prepare a response and consider the committee's recommendations for action and budget planning in upcoming meetings.
