Anoka‑Hennepin outlines American Indian education supports; board approves annual compliance document

Tom Shaw, director of student services, introduced the American Indian Education annual update on Feb. 23 and turned the presentation over to Mindy Myers, the district’s American Indian program coordinator. Myers said the program, funded by state and federal grant dollars, serves just over 1,200 American Indian students (K–12) and operates with a team of seven advisors: two elementary advisors covering roughly 500 elementary students and five secondary advisors each supporting just under 200 students.

Myers described core activities that include culture groups, college and career readiness support, individualized academic and attendance interventions, and partnerships that provide tutoring scholarships (recently transitioned to Huntington Learning) and ACT‑prep scholarships through Advantage Education programs. She highlighted culturally based activities such as traditional archery, lacrosse, language tables, community sewing for regalia, ribbon‑skirt and ribbon‑shirt gifting at senior ceremonies, and a powwow scheduled for April 11 at Champlin Park High School.

Nutgraf: The American Indian Education program ties federally and state‑funded grant dollars to targeted cultural and academic supports. Myers stressed parent‑advisory involvement: the JOM parent committee votes on every grant expenditure and submitted concurrence documentation following a January 13 meeting.

After board Q&A on event calendars and program logistics, Director Simon moved to approve the Appendix N annual compliance document; the motion passed 6–0.

Ending: The presentation concluded with trustees commending staff. The board moved on to policy first reads and labor‑relations items later in the meeting.