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Navajo Preparatory School board endorses BIE pay‑parity bill, approves IB policy and multiple travel requests
Summary
At its Oct. 18, 2024 meeting, the Navajo Preparatory School Board of Trustees endorsed the Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2024, approved performance pay incentive proposals and an IB Diploma admissions policy, adopted a grant‑funded budget modification, and authorized personnel and several travel requests including a student exchange to Mexico and a D.C. trip funded in part by Senator Heinrich.
The Navajo Preparatory School Board of Trustees met Oct. 18, 2024, at 1:03 p.m. at Navajo Preparatory School. President Sherrick Roanhorse presided over a meeting that included endorsements, policy updates and multiple travel and personnel approvals.
The board voted unanimously to endorse the Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2024, a Bureau of Indian Education pay‑parity measure, after Head of School Shawna Becenti reviewed the resolution. The board also approved a proposal for performance pay incentives for staff and adopted an admissions policy required for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme; Keith Neil said the IB admissions policy will be formalized and added to the Community Handbook as part of the IB review process.
The trustees approved a 2024–25 budget modification to reflect additional grant revenue, which Becenti described as the basis for the adjustment. The board additionally amended the off‑contract pay policy to allow the Head of School to designate an administrator to work a non‑contract day and be on call, and authorized the administration to enter into agreements for Special Education support services to meet students’ Individualized Education Plan needs.
Manuel Watchman reviewed personnel memos documenting resignations and new hires; the board approved those personnel items unanimously.
The board approved travel requests for faculty and staff to attend professional conferences, and for student programs. Approved travel included: the American Orff Schulwerk Association national conference (Des Moines, Nov. 12–17); the National Student Safety and Security Conference & Workshop (Las Vegas, Nov. 18–20); IB‑related training sessions in Arlington, Va., Los Angeles and Vancouver; a student exchange to San Luis Potosí, Mexico (Jan. 11–Feb. 22, 2025); and a Close Up High School Native Youth Summit in Washington, D.C. (April 4–12, 2025). Keith Neil noted that the Close Up trip has approved funding from Senator Heinrich that will continue for four years.
Board members and staff also reported on recent outreach and events: parent‑teacher conferences with strong turnout, a staff appreciation luncheon, participation in Hozhó Naasha pageant and Western Navajo Fair Parade, and outreach at the NIEA Trade Show & Convention. LeAnne Magnuson of the San Juan College Foundation presented information about the upcoming state GO Bond election and the board asked that the presentation be shared with staff and the broader community.
Votes at a glance: approval of the meeting agenda (motion by Dr. Bernadette Todacheene, seconded by Craig Sandoval), approval of prior meeting minutes, endorsement of the Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2024 and related resolutions (Items A–F were moved by Anderson Yazzie Jr., seconded by Dr. Bernadette Todacheene), personnel approvals, and authorization of travel items A–H. Reported tallies where recorded: agenda and minutes approvals 3‑0‑0; resolutions and later approvals 4‑0‑0.
The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Nov. 15, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at Navajo Preparatory School — Hogan. President Roanhorse adjourned the meeting at 2:41 p.m.
