NAPAC presents nonconcurrence and staffing, compliance recommendations to St. Cloud district
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Summary
The Native American Parent Advisory Committee (NAPAC) told the board it voted nonconcurrence, cited gaps in access to data and funding information, and recommended at least three dedicated American Indian education staff including a leadership role and two liaison positions.
Representatives from the district’s American Indian Education program and the Native American Parent Advisory Committee presented program work and concerns to the board on Feb. 18.
Program overview: American Indian Education staff reported that the district currently has 234 students who identify as American Indian, Native American or Indigenous (109 elementary, 125 secondary) and described culturally responsive programming including weekly lunch groups, Ojibwe language resources, smudging and other cultural practices at secondary schools, and college/career supports such as St. Cloud State University visits and contracted tutoring partnerships.
NAPAC nonconcurrence and recommendations: NAPAC leaders told the board they had voted a formal nonconcurrence, asserting they had been “deprived of necessary information” such as testing and attendance data, graduation rates, funding balances and program expenditures that NAPAC needs to advise effectively. Ian Shenander relayed the nonconcurrence and outlined three recommendation categories: compliance (ensure statutory consultation with curriculum advisory committees and access to required data), staffing (increase American Indian education staff to a minimum of three, create an Indian education leadership role plus a cultural liaison and an educational liaison), and academics (expand tutoring and use Title VI/state/federal funds for academic supports and culturally appropriate incentives for student success).
Why it matters: NAPAC’s nonconcurrence triggers a required board response; Achievement Integration and Equity Committee members told the board they will prepare a letter acknowledging NAPAC’s nonconcurrence within 60 days and will continue to consider the committee’s recommendations.
Quotes: “We as NAPAC have been deprived of necessary information,” NAPAC treasurer Ian Shenander said, listing testing, attendance and funding data as examples. American Indian Education Coordinator Kip Perkins noted program successes and community events and reported a 75% graduation rate for American Indian seniors in 2025 and a projected 100% graduation at Apollo for the class of 2026.
Next steps: The board’s equity committee said it will draft the statutory response letter and continue engagement with NAPAC as the district evaluates compliance, staffing and programmatic recommendations.