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District report: low returns on federal 506/JOM forms and chronic absenteeism cited as barriers to services
Summary
A district official reported about 70 students had returned federal Form 506 and 36 families had completed a new JOM form; staff warned incomplete forms limit eligibility for certain grants and programs and outlined attendance, tutoring and outreach plans.
Miss Williams, presenting the JM/Johnson grant and eligibility report, told the board the district has roughly 106—107 students who identify as Native American but only "a little over 70" families have submitted completed federal Form 506, which the district uses to document Native American heritage for program eligibility.
She explained Form 506 is a federally issued documentation form used by the Office of Indian Education and state education offices to determine eligibility for some programs and that a newly used JOM form has only 36 completed returns so far. Miss Williams said the district distributes forms at events, will provide them at registration and that board leadership has assisted by visiting homes to collect forms; she emphasized families must return the paperwork for the district to claim program funds and to pass audits.
Miss Williams described chronic absenteeism as a major concern. The district has instituted attendance incentives (certificates and awards), parent meetings, teacher outreach and ongoing home contacts. She proposed a survey to identify household barriers to attendance, and said she will reach out to tribal social-service contacts to explore home-visit or social-worker support.
On student achievement, Miss Williams gave benchmark figures and tutoring context: for grades 2—8 ELA, 3% of students were proficient and 14% highly proficient; for grades 2—8 math, 7% proficient and 8% highly proficient. For high school benchmarks she reported higher rates: ELA 21% proficient and 25% highly proficient; math 17% proficient and 10% highly proficient. She said tutoring programs, running since November and scheduled through March 15, aim to push students to proficiency before state testing.
Miss Williams also summarized smaller-scale cultural events (an essay contest with winners named, a jiu-jitsu demonstration, and holiday events distributing supplies) and noted the district continues to plan field day and graduation activities.
