Sheridan SD 48J board approves revised MOU with Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

The Sheridan SD 48J School Board unanimously approved a revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde after discussing edits that remove specific grade-level mandates and relax attendance requirements for the tribe's annual summit.

Superintendent Dorey told the board the district had removed language that would lock curriculum to particular grade levels so the district can phase in lessons and prepare staff. "We wanted that flexibility," Dorey said, explaining edits to the curriculum and professional development language.

Board members praised the substance of the curriculum. One board member said the tribal curriculum materials on the Oregon Department of Education site were strong and welcomed the district–tribe partnership. The motion to approve the MOU was made by Ruby and seconded by Samantha; the board chair called the vote and the MOU passed unanimously.

The next step is for the tribal council to review the board’s edits; if the tribe accepts the changes the district will return the final document to the board for formal adoption and then present implementation materials to staff. The superintendent said the revised language clarifies that a representative, not the whole staff, would attend the tribe’s summit and that the district will have opportunities to provide feedback after each professional development session.

Board members framed the agreement as a cooperative partnership rather than a prescriptive contract: the MOU sets shared expectations for curriculum, curricular feedback and phased implementation across grade levels. If approved by the tribal council, implementation would begin in the following school year.

Action taken: the board approved the MOU as edited and staff will forward the document to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde for their review.