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Fort Peck fellow outlines plan for tribal school; national network offers technical support
Summary
A Fort Peck enrolled member and NISN school design fellow described plans to open a tribal school in Poplar, Montana, aiming for fall 2027; the commission heard from NISN director Derek White about cohort support and timing tied to an ongoing court case.
Rain Turcotte, an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Tribes (Assiniboine and Sioux) and a school design fellow, told the Community Choice Schools Commission on Dec. 9 that she is working to establish a tribal school in Poplar, Montana, and hopes to open in fall 2027.
"My name is Rain Turcotte. I'm an enrolled member with the Fort Peck tribes ... I'm in currently in year 2 of the planning stages, and we are hoping to open our doors fall of 20 27," Turcotte said during the meeting’s public comment period. She said the land is secured and the building is “in the process as of right now.”
Derek White, director of the school design fellowship with the NACA/NISN Inspired Schools Network, told commissioners his nonprofit provides fellows with salary support, curriculum and operational guidance and a cohort of communities working on similar projects. He described NISN’s role supporting founders and said Rain’s application progress is tied to the resolution of a pending district court lawsuit in Montana; until the court matter is resolved the timing for the first application cycle remains uncertain.
Kathy, the commission’s director of planning, confirmed that the materials discussed at the meeting are posted on the Board of Public Education website and that staff will post final versions of any revised templates. When asked by a public commenter about when an application will be available, staff said the documents from the meeting are already online and that the first application cycle will begin once the district court ruling allows it.
Commissioners thanked Rain and White for participating and noted the commission’s preference to balance an evidence‑based performance framework with mission‑specific, qualitative reporting so that culturally specific goals (language, culture and community measures) are visible alongside standardized assessment data.
