Board and superintendent discuss draft response to APAC nonconcurrences, pledge collaboration and grants search

Superintendent Anderson reviewed a draft response to the American Indian Education Parent Advisory Council (APAC) nonconcurrences at the Feb. 23 St. Francis Area Schools board meeting, and board members gave feedback aimed at tightening timelines and increasing collaborative language.

Anderson outlined four primary APAC requests: adding a second liaison (administration said current staffing and a projected decrease in compensatory funding make a full new position difficult to commit to this year), preserving or better coordinating facility spaces for APAC use (elementary schools have limited reserved space), providing more regular communication and progress reporting on APAC issues, and increasing supports for PSEO (Postsecondary Enrollment Options) students. Anderson said the district already subsidizes part of the AIE (American Indian Education) coordinator's salary and that some compensatory dollars are used in that work.

Board members asked for measurable goals and timelines for the draft response (for example, specifying how the district will implement a shared calendar or identify lockable rooms and a schedule), suggested exploring Johnson O’Malley funding and other grant opportunities to help staff a second liaison, and recommended greater clarity about the roles of the APAC parent group versus the district coordinator. A board member suggested adding quarterly reporting or an administrative report item to show progress.

The superintendent said he would incorporate collaborative language, consider grant opportunities, add clearer timelines, and return the revised draft for board consideration before the March 27 deadline for the formal response to the state.