Indian Policies and Procedures 22/23
Niobrara Public Schools
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
P.O Box 310
Niobrara, NE 68760
Phone (402)857-3323 - Fax (402)857-3716
Indian Policies and Procedures
Niobrara Public School District
2022-2023 School Year
It is the intent of the Niobrara School District that all Indian children of school age have equal access to all programs, services and activities offered within the school district. To this end, the Niobrara Public School District will consult with local tribal officials and parents of Indian children in the planning and development of Indian Policies and Procedures (IPPs), general education programs, and activities. These policies and procedures will be reviewed annually, and revisions will be made within 90 days of the determination that requirements are not being adequately met.
The Niobrara Public School District attests that it has established Indian Policies and Procedures (IPPs) as required in section 7004 of the Impact Aid law for any Indian children claimed who reside on eligible Indian lands. The IPPs have been adequately disseminated to the tribes and parents of children residing on eligible Indian lands. A copy of the current policies and procedures will be attached to the FY 2024 Impact Aid application.
The Niobrara Public School attests that it will provide a copy of written responses to comments, concerns, and recommendations received from tribal leaders and parents of Indian children through the Indian policies and procedures consultation process. Responses will be disseminated to tribal leaders and parents of Indian children via school board minutes annually prior to school board policy approval.
Policy 1:
The Niobrara School District will disseminate information by the method preferred by the tribes and no less than one week prior to the hearing. Annual input regarding the following programs of the Niobrara Public educational program will be gathered by an annual parent meeting prior to the school board meeting in October through public comment or writing (including, but not limited to): Indian Policies and Procedures (IPPs), Impact Aid FY 2024 application and an assessment of equal participation in all Educational Programs. Parents of Indian children, tribes and the public will be given notice of any and all meetings at least one week in advance by a posting of the policy on the school website and an informational meeting time and date published in the local newspaper the prior week to the hearing.
The completed Indian Policies and Procedures will be posted on the school website and available to parents of Indian children, Tribal officials, and the Indian Education Committee (Parent Advisory Committee). A summary of changes proposed will be prepared and posted on the school website as soon as reasonably possible after information becomes available, but not later than one week in advance of any public hearing. These hearings will be publicly advertised by the local newspaper as part of school board proceedings prior to the October board meeting annually. Annually changes and updates will be made at the October Board of Education meeting. All changes will be presented and voted on by the Governing Board. Once the IPPs are approved the changes will take immediate effect.
Parents of Indian children, tribal officials, the Indian Education Committee (Parent Advisory Committee) and any other interested persons can review assessment data on the Nebraska Department of Education website (https://nep.education.ne.gov/) to help develop or modify educational programs and services allowing for the participation of Indian students on an equal basis in the district.
Policy 2:
The Indian Education Committee (Parent Advisory Committee) of the Niobrara Public School District will meet bi-annually to address written comments and concerns of the parents of Indian children regarding the district’s educational program and activities. The meetings are planned bi-annually and are open to the public allowing tribal officials and parents of Indian children the opportunity to submit written comments and recommendations for consideration.
At each of the monthly school board meetings, a section of time is set aside for communications from the public. This is a time to offer written comments and suggestions regarding programming for Indian students. In addition, a public hearing is scheduled (October) which is specifically devoted to addressing questions regarding federal programs. Based upon suggestions, preferred methods of communication, as well as ways to maximize participation from tribal officials as well as parents of Indian children, will be seriously considered. At least one tribal official (Secretary) will be contacted by phone or email to request the tribe’s preference for communication.
The policy will be included in student handbooks with a student and parent/guardian signature line regarding opportunities to provide input into the district.
Policy 3:
The Niobrara Public School District shall annually analyze participation rates of Indian children compared to other children in Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Science educational programs and school sponsored activities. Bar charts or line charts will be utilized to show the rates of participation of Indian children compared to all other children. (Example: The number of Indian children enrolled in college credit course work)
The Niobrara Public School in conjunction with the Indian Education Committee (Parent Advisory Committee) will review annually written comments gathered from families and students. Parents of Indian children, tribes and other interested parties may express their views on participation through the following: Quarterly Indian Education Committee meetings, annual October Hearing, and by contacting school administration. This policy is disseminated annually to the tribes by email as the preferred method.
At least one week prior to the public hearing in October the school will work with the Indian Education Committee (Parent Advisory Committee) to review data prior to the public hearing. During the public hearings in October the school district will present information relating to Indian children’s participation in the LEA’s education program and activities. If it is determined that there are gaps in Indian participation in the educational program or activities, the Niobrara Public School Board in consultation with the Indian Education Committee (Parent Advisory Committee) will modify its educational program in such a way as to improve Indian participation.
Policy 4:
During the meeting of the Indian Education Committee (Parent Advisory Committee), the Indian Policies and Procedures may be reviewed and revised, if necessary, at the bi-annual meetings. Any updates will be published in the Board of Education minutes within one month of the adoption by the Niobrara Public School Board or the local school newsletter that is disseminated monthly on the school website. If necessary, the Indian Education Committee (Parent Advisory Committee) may suggest revisions at other times of the year as appropriate. Any updates will be decided by the Niobrara School Board and will be published in the local newspaper and posted on the school website.
Policy 5:
The Niobrara Public School District will at least annually respond in writing to comments and recommendations made by the Niobrara Indian Education Committee (Parent Advisory Committee), parents of Indian children and tribal officials. The responses to all written comments will be in the school board minutes published in the local newspaper, following the Indian Education Committee (Parent Advisory Committee) meetings.
Policy 6:
The Niobrara Public School District will annually provide a copy of the current Indian Policies and Procedures along with the Impact Aid Application prior to the application due date (typically in January), by email to the Santee Sioux and Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
Board Approval Date: October 10, 2022
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