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Public commenters and superintendent press for swift tribal consultations, IPAC and IPP updates
Summary
Public commenter Lieutenant Governor Wendell Chino urged faster tribal consultation and fuller implementation of the district’s Indian policies and procedures (IPP); Superintendent Weidner said he will work with stakeholders, the Office of Indian Education template, and legal counsel to update bylaws and schedule consultations to secure Title VI funding compliance.
Public comment and a lengthy board discussion focused on tribal consultation, the Indian Parent Advisory Committee (IPAC), and the district’s Indian policies and procedures (IPP), with the superintendent promising steps to secure Title VI compliance.
During public comment, Lieutenant Governor Wendell Chino told the board the district had delayed tribal consultation for the Pueblo of Acoma and urged the district to schedule consultations promptly. "The excuse that his administrative team schedule is quite full for December ... is unacceptable," he said, pressing the board to prioritize timely engagement.
Superintendent Weidner acknowledged the challenge and described steps taken: legal review of bylaws, meetings with the Office of Indian Education, and plans to appoint interim parent‑committee leadership to ensure Title VI grant compliance. "As the superintendent, I am the authorizing official for the Title 6 grant," he said, and he said the district will work with stakeholders and the Office of Indian Education template to revise bylaws and schedule consultations.
Board members raised procedural concerns about how parent‑committee officers would be chosen and requested written documentation from the Office of Indian Education describing any guidance given to the district. Members emphasized that the selection process and bylaw revisions should be public and include tribal participation to avoid perceptions of unilateral action.
Next steps and timeline: Superintendent Weidner said staff will continue stakeholder outreach and will bring revised IPP and IPAC officer nominations or election processes to the board in a future meeting, with signature and submission steps for Title VI‑related forms expected in January.
Context: Board members noted that the IPAC is a parent‑led advisory body established under federal Indian education policy to provide input on needs assessments, objectives and staffing for programs supporting Native students. The district uses Title VI funds to support liaisons and related activities; missing tribal agreement or documentation could affect those applications.
