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Board reviews Indian policies and Impact Aid; special‑education carryover and late allocations flagged
Summary
Staff warned that Impact Aid guidance will likely require policy language updates; the board approved Indian policies as presented while staff highlighted low parental consultation rates and projected a $3,494,650 IDEA Part B allocation with a $1,275,000 carryover estimate.
Board staff reviewed the district's annual Indian policies and procedures and briefed the board on Impact Aid and IDEA Part B funding projections.
Dwayne told the board the district expects to continue current intergovernmental agreements unless revisions are needed and that Impact Aid guidance from the Department of Education will likely prompt a policy revamp next school year. "We get somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,250 to $300,000," Dwayne said while describing Impact Aid support and the district's use of national associations (NAFIS and NESA) for technical assistance in renewing Impact Aid allocations. Staff recommended approval of the policies for now and said they would request a tribal waiver to avoid annual reapproval if possible.
Board members raised participation concerns. One member quoted policy language saying consultation should be reevaluated when parental participation is low; Dwayne confirmed participation is low in many Title programs and that parent nights (typically in October) are often the primary venue for consultation. "Participation is low," Dwayne said. The board discussed timing and whether contract or signature cycles align with required consultations; staff said they would follow up on outstanding signatures with the EIE director's office.
On IDEA Part B funding for Turtle Mountain High School, staff presented projections and carryover concerns. Dwayne summarized Danielle Sloan's figures: an ISF (15%) estimate of about $827,000, a carryover estimate of $1,275,000 (which BIE would prefer to be zero), a base amount last year of $1,392,300, and a total projected special-education allocation of $3,494,650. He explained that late allocations in May and June in prior years made it difficult to spend down funds and that fuller staffing should reduce carryover next year. The board approved the IDEA Part B application and assurances as presented.
Next steps assigned to staff include following up with the BIE/EIE office on signatures and continuing outreach to improve consultation participation before the next school year.
