EUINTAH SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY ACTION REVIEW

1st Reading	10/11/11	New
2nd Reading	10/11/11	Revised	X
Approved	10/11/11	Substitute

001.0300 policies and procedures for INDIAN education and pertaining to SECTION 8003 AND 8004(a) OF PUBLIC LAW 103-382, TITLE VIII, IMPACT AID PROGRAM

(Revisions to Policy 001.0300 Policies and Procedures for Indian Education and Pertaining to Section 8003 and 8004(a) of Public Law 103-382, Title VII, Impact Aid Program previously approved on 10/12/11)

1.0 Statement of Philosophy

1.1 It is the philosophy of the Uintah Board of Education to meet the educational needs of Native American students by planning appropriate programs in consultation with parents and educational leaders appointed by the Ute Tribal Business Committee.

1.2 We believe the primary purpose of education is to teach children and young people basic academic skills and life skills so they can become responsible and contributing members of society, able to select vocations which will prove to be of satisfaction and a source of happiness to them.

1.3 We recognize the heritage and cultural beliefs of Indians and accept and support continued reverence for these beliefs.

2.0 Statement of STANDARDS

2.1 Recognizing the State of Utah’s policy for equality in education, the Uintah Board of Education continues to implement equal educational opportunities for all students without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, or national origin.

2.2 Native American children attending Uintah County schools will have the opportunity to participate in school programs on an equal basis with all other children who attend the district schools.

2.3 The Ute Indian Tribe and parents of children residing on Indian lands will have the opportunity to present their views regarding P.L. 103-382 Section 8003 and 8004(a) applications.

2.4 The Ute Indian Tribe has an opportunity to make recommendations concerning the needs of their children and the ways by which they can assist their children in realizing the benefits to be derived from the educational program of the Uintah County School District.

2.5 The Ute Indian Tribe will be consulted and provided opportunity to be involved in the planning and development of the Uintah County School District’s Native American Educational programs.

2.6 Positive action shall continue to be taken to implement this policy in all aspects of the instructional program and in all areas of extra-curricular activities and student relations.

2.7 We recognize that schools with a large population of Indian students may have academic and cultural needs to be considered.

3.0 Procedures

3.1 In order to assure that this equal access to instructional services and programs includes all children and young people who are Native American, and any others who may reside on Native American Trust lands or whose parents are employed on these Trust lands, the Uintah School District shall do the following:

3.1.1 Invite tribal officials and parents or guardians of all elementary and secondary students living on Indian lands, who are enrolled in Uintah District Schools, to attend public meetings to be held in October and March of each year immediately preceding the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting to be held at Eagle View Elementary School. The purpose of the meeting is to review school data concerning instructional programs, extra-curricular programs, services and Impact Aid Title VIII Applications. School officials will assess, using school data, the extent of Native American students’ participation in all programs of the district on an equal basis with all other students. Opportunity for questions, recommendations, and concerns will be given to tribal officials and parents of Native American children present at the meetings. Uintah School District officials will review school data and comments from tribal officials and parents to assess the extent of Native American children’s participation in the educational program on an equal basis.

3.1.2 Publish notices of the meetings to be held in October and March in local media two weeks before the meetings. A written notice of the time, place, and agenda for the meetings will be sent to the chairman of the Tribal Business Committee and the Ute Tribe Education Committee Director for dissemination to their committee members. It will also be distributed to students of Eagle View Elementary, Lapoint Elementary, Vernal Middle School, Vernal Junior High, and Uintah High School to take home to parents. The meeting will be attended by at least one member of the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Schools, the Directors of Student Services, Curriculum and Human Resources, the District Business Administrator, the principals of the schools involved, and others as deemed necessary.

The Title VIII Application will be disseminated by mail to Ute Tribal Business Committee Chairman and the Ute Tribal Education Director prior to the March meeting. In addition, a copy of the Application will be available at this meeting for others.

3.1.3 The Board of Education of the Uintah School District will review annually and modify as appropriate these policies and procedures. If the discussions with tribal officials and parents of Native American students at the October and March meetings indicate that there is a need, an ad hoc committee will be formed to review the Native American input and opportunity for input. Committee recommendations will be considered in a meeting of the Board of Education and the ad hoc committee. The committee shall be composed of the Tribal Chairman or his/her designee, the Tribal Education Director, one parent from each school: Eagle View Elementary and Lapoint Elementary, one principal to represent the two schools mentioned in these policies and procedures, Superintendent of Uintah School District or his/her designee, the Director of Curriculum and the District Business Administrator.