12-11-19

IPP Revisions

On September 4, 2019, the Native American Education Committee requested IPP changes during their meeting. The committee approved it with changes to policy 5; “communicated through Facebook, school website, and public school board meetings” and “Recommendations and concerns can be given to Timber Lake School District 20-3 via a written letter or an IPP Comments and Recommendation Form which is at the main office and on our school website.” This was approved by the Timber Lake School Board on September 11, 2019, pending U.S. Department of Education approval. The IPP was approved by the Timber Lake School Board on Dec. 11, 2019, with both the NAEC and U.S. Dept. of Ed. requested changes.

2-12-20

On January 6, 2020, the Native American Education Committee requested an IPP change during their quarterly meeting. Rather than having community input meetings during the April and September school board meetings, they recommended having the meetings in April and October. October better aligns with district and state assessment availability.  The IPP was approved by the Timber Lake School Board on February 12, 2020.

12/17/20

Please note the below revision to the Indian Policies and Procedures (IPP).  This revision notice is also posted on the school website under NAEC, IPP Revisions/Communication.  The 2^nd reading and approval of the revision was passed with a motion at the December 9, 2020 school board meeting.  The board minutes are published in the Timber Lake Topic and posted on the school website (https://timberlakeschool.org). 

IPP Revision

On November 11, 2020, the Timber Lake School Board discussed the signature page of the IPP and had the 1^st reading of the proposed revision.  Per school attorney guidance, the IPP is a Board Policy, which is influenced by community input but should not be governed by outside entities since policy making is a School Board responsibility.  Communication of proposed changes was emailed to the Native American Education Committee, placed on the school website and the school Facebook page, published in Timber Lake Topic, and a letter to Parents and Guardians was sent home with students.  Also, copies and clarification of proposed changes were sent to the CRST and SRST chairman’s office and CRST and SRST’s Education Directors.  During the December 9, 2020 school board meeting, there was a 2^nd reading and the board took the recommendation of their attorney and removed the signature page from the IPP.

10/12/2023

RE: 2023 IPP Comments and Recommendations Form

Timber Lake School District 20-3 would like to thank our consituents for their recommendations.  We have shared these recommendations with the school board during both the August 2023 and October 2023 school board meeting.  Reminder that changes to our policy takes a first and second reading. 

Per our Indian Policies and Procedures, “Recommendations and concerns can be submitted to the Superintendent of Timber Lake School District 20-3 via a written letter or via an IPP Comments and Recommendation Form which can be picked up from the main office or found on our school website.  Any concerns that are brought forth through the Native American Education Committee or via the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will be responded to within 4 weeks. A summary of recommendations/suggestions will be kept on file for review and examination.”  The following are the comments and recommendations we have received.  Red identifies the district’s response.

Five recommendations from 07/10/2023 and 07/12/2023.

1. Add “Guardians” to Parents of Native American children.  Reasoning: tribal practice to care for grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of our relatives.

The School Board added this recommendation.

2. Add yearly dates to the community input meetings in October and April.  Reasoning: The IPP is a living document and should be updated yearly and approved by NAEC and the TL school board, with a date.  Examples of how dates for meetings were varied was provided.

The district advertises with guidance of the IPP.  There could be possible changes in dates due to unforeseen circumstances, the school board will keep the same practice.

3. Page 1, Line 28 add – Minutes from community input meeting will be mailed to parents/guardian within 10 days.  Reasoning: this provides sharing of information, improved participation, opportunity to review, invites a partnership, and good intentions. The board will continue to provide minutes of school board meetings via newspaper and the school website.
4. Add school year 2023-24 or date.  The date is always listed on the last page where it has “approved”.
5. Recommend that TL School District 20-3 Indian Policies and Procedures be more specific as to who the school info is being sent to.  Example: to “Cheyenne River Tribal Chairman’s Office, Director of Indian Ed Programs, and same for Standing Rock.  Reasoning: right now who the schools information is being sent to the tribe sounds vague.  The school board has added this recommendation for consistency purposes.