Board acknowledges NAPAC "nonconcurrence," accepts six SMART goals and requests response by April 17
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Summary
The Native American Parent Advisory Council presented a formal nonconcurrence with the district's American Indian Education program and submitted six SMART goals; the board voted to acknowledge the nonconcurrence and accept the presentation (5–1) and must send a written response to NAPAC and the Minnesota Office of American Indian Education within 60 days.
The Faribault Public Schools board acknowledged on Feb. 17 that the Native American Parent Advisory Council (NAPAC) voted “nonconcurrence” after reviewing the district’s American Indian Education Program implementation. NAPAC presenters told the board they issued the vote to request more partnership and improvement, and they submitted six SMART goals to guide changes.
Cassie Riopelle, the district’s community education and engagement director, explained statutory expectations and the NAPAC role, saying Minnesota law requires districts with 10 or more students identifying as American Indian to maintain a parent advisory council. She said the council had increased cultural visibility this year — citing Indigenous Peoples’ Day activities, classroom books about Native culture, guest speakers, and partnerships with a regional powwow collective — but had concluded the district’s current work “does not fully meet student needs or statutory expectations at this time.”
Riopelle and NAPAC members summarized six goals: increase virtual access to meetings so at least 80% of meetings have a high‑flex option; double parent participation from roughly 7.5% to 15% through outreach; establish a designated support space or structured program by 2026; form a student‑led Native American club within six months; provide stronger curriculum representation of Native American perspectives; and add an annual staff cultural learning opportunity.
Board members asked how the goals will be measured, whether language exposure will be included, and whether designated spaces risk segregation. NAPAC representatives said they will work collaboratively with district staff, refine measurable goals to submit to the Minnesota Department of Education, and pursue relationships with tribal nations and regional partners. The NAPAC request includes a formal letter and SMART goals; Riopelle asked the board to provide a written response by April 17, 2026, as required by statute.
By voice vote the board accepted the presentation and nonconcurrence acknowledgement (5–1). Superintendent Venti said the district will treat the goals as priorities to work on with the committee and that staff will present recommended curriculum and professional development steps at future meetings.
Next steps: the board must provide a written response to NAPAC and the Office of American Indian Education within 60 days.
