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Selah district: Title VI grant rises as more Native students complete ED506 count
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Summary
District director of student support said the district received $5,246 this year based on 16 filed ED506 forms and expects an increase next year after the Indian student count rose to 24; staff outlined allowable uses and challenges with small cohort data suppression.
The Selah School District held a public hearing and review of its federal Title VI (Native American Education) program, with the district's director of student support, Chris Yurian, describing grant funding, eligible activities and data challenges tied to small cohort sizes.
"Title VI is a supplemental federal program that addresses the unique cultural, language and educational related needs for our Native American and Alaska Native students," Yurian told the board. He reported the district received $5,246 this grant cycle based on 16 ED506 filings; because the Indian student count rose to 24 during the district's count period, the district expects higher formula funding next year. Yurian also said the district has 78 Native American or Alaska Native students overall but Title VI eligibility requires an ED506 filing or other proof of enrollment or lineage (such as an enrollment number or certificate of Indian blood).
Yurian outlined permissible activities the grant can fund: school readiness for younger students; targeted academic supports to close gaps; cultural identity and awareness programming; attendance and graduation supports; career and college readiness; and prevention activities such as health, suicide prevention and substance use supports. He said a Native American parent advisory committee — made up of parents or guardians of eligible students — completed a needs assessment and prioritized cultural awareness and identity activities.
Staff noted challenges using funds this year because the district's small per‑grade cohorts led to state report suppression that limited disaggregated public data, and some planned camps were not held on the grant schedule; the district plans to request carryover to run a high‑school camp next year. Yurian said staff will apply for the next grant cycle when the application window opens in May.
The board asked clarifying questions about the ED506 requirement and what proof is acceptable; Yurian confirmed that a student's enrollment number on the ED506 is the usual route and that descendants may use a grandparent's enrollment number or a certificate of Indian blood where appropriate.
Outcome: The board closed the public hearing and did not take a separate vote at the hearing; staff plan to apply for the next Title VI grant cycle and to use carryover where needed to schedule cultural activities.
