Central Consolidated Schools board approves cultural policy, directs rewrite of HEART-team language

The Central Consolidated Schools Board of Education voted 3–2 on March 2 to adopt a revised cultural policy but asked administrators to remove and rework language establishing a HEART (Hojo Advisement Response Team) before returning that language to the board.

Germaine Chappelle, who presented the third reading of the draft policy, read the amendment language aloud and referenced legal foundations: "The Central Consolidated School District recognizes the findings in Yazzie Martinez v State of New Mexico ..." Chappelle described creation of an intercultural community outreach office (ICO) and a HEART team charged with advising administrators on cultural protocols, holistic wellness services and recommendations for curricula and school responses to culturally significant events.

Board discussion focused on how HEART members would be appointed, whether the team would have its own policies or stipends, and whether policy language on discipline and implementation could lock the district into problematic procedures. Vice President Metoyer asked whether HEART would have "their own policies and procedures" and whether the board would review them; Chappelle replied that "the superintendent and the board would have final say" and that the policy establishes a foundation for later, more detailed work.

Several board members and community speakers raised concerns about the survey used to inform the policy. The staff and community surveys—presented by Jared Noble—reported 279 staff responses and 89 community responses; Noble said many staff responses reflected training focused on Navajo/Diné culture and that 78.9% of respondents said they had read the draft policy. A public commenter who identified themself as the person who drafted the staff and teacher surveys said the document was a draft and warned that "The intent behind this language is to eliminate Halloween, the day of the dead, allowing funeral receptions and things of that nature on school grounds." Chappelle and others responded that the amended policy does not ban holidays and instead provides recommendations for honoring traditions.

Board members also debated whether the survey questions were leading or unclear. Several elected members urged an independent review of the survey questions and broader outreach to remote communities lacking broadband access before relying heavily on the results. Eric Gale, who identified himself as a community member and professor, recommended community forums to capture perspectives missing from an online-only survey.

Facing competing views, the board first considered a motion to adopt the policy as amended. That motion failed on a roll-call vote (Hasky and Soh in favor; Aspis, Montoya and the presiding officer opposed). Vice President Metoyer then moved to adopt the policy while extracting HEART-team language for separate revision and return; that motion carried 3–2. Board members directed Chappelle and staff to draft clarifying amendments reflecting concerns raised about wording, implementation, and representation on HEART.

The board left key practical questions for the rewrite, including how HEART members will be appointed, whether stipends will be provided, how the team will coordinate with ICO and other district staff, and how the district will ensure representation across cultures if a requirement of "one member from every culture" cannot be met. Chappelle asked for specific written concerns from board members to guide revision work.

The board’s action concludes the policy process for this meeting; members said the policy will return with clarified HEART language and implementation details before finalizing how the district will operationalize cultural programming and training.

The board moved on to a separate agenda item after the policy vote.