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Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.78, subdivision 1, states that a school district in which there are 10 or more American Indian students enrolled and each American Indian school must establish an American Indian education parent advisory committee. Commonly referred to as American Indian Parent Advisory Committees (AIPACs), these committees serve in an advisory role and help ensure that American Indian students are receiving culturally relevant and equitable educational opportunities. These committees are critical to the achievement and success of American Indian students statewide, and offer a valuable opportunity to strengthen district and parent partnerships. 

Bdote’s American Indian Parent Advisory Committee must be comprised primarily of parents/guardians of American Indian students within our district. American Indian district staff are also eligible to serve on the committee, as are American Indian community members. While non-Native district staff may participate in the Family Committee meetings, they are not permitted to be committee members, and should not be included on the Bdote Family Committee roster. District staff should not outnumber committee members at meetings. 

AIPACs serve in an advisory role to the district, and help to ensure that American Indian students are receiving culturally relevant and equitable educational opportunities. AIPACs are critical to the achievement and success of American Indian students statewide, and their presence, input, and knowledge is key to strengthening district and parent partnerships. For the AIPAC to make informed decisions, the district must afford the committee the information and data needed to make sound recommendations. This information includes, but is not limited to, testing data, attendance data, graduation rates, and student count information.

To enhance the district and AIPAC partnership, the Office of American Indian Education encourages the use of the self-assessment rubric (see Resources below). This resource is a valuable tool that can be used to evaluate current services to American Indian students and their families, and it should be used collaboratively to ensure the unique academic and culturally related needs of American Indian students are met. 

Prior to March 1 of each year, the AIPAC must meet to discuss whether or not they concur with the educational offerings that have been extended by the district to American Indian students. If the AIPAC finds that the district and/or school board have been meeting the needs of American Indian students, they issue a vote and resolution of concurrence. If they find that the district and/or school board have not been meeting the needs of American Indian students, they issue a vote and resolution of nonconcurrence. 
The vote is reflected formally on documentation provided by the OAIE (see Resources below). The vote and resolution must be presented to the school board by one or more members of the AIPAC. If the vote is one of nonconcurrence, the AIPAC must also provide written recommendations for improvement to the school board at the time of the presentation. The school board does not “approve” the resolution. They receive the information and it is reflected within the board minutes. In the case of nonconcurrence, the school board is given 60 days in which to respond, in writing, to the AIPAC recommendations. The board response must be signed by the entire school board and be provided to the AIPAC and submitted to the Office of American Indian Education. 

January

• The AIPAC meets to issue their vote, sign their vote and resolution documents, and fill out the AIPAC roster.
• District staff assist the committee with getting on the next available school board agenda.

February

• The AIPAC presents their vote and resolution, in person, to the school board at the assigned board meeting.
• The school board chair, superintendent and AIPAC chair sign the required documents.

Due on March 1

• Bdote Administration submit to MDE.AnnualCompliance@state.mn.us:
  • The annual compliance/vote of concurrence or nonconcurrence document.
  • The AIPAC resolution document.
  • The AIPAC roster and district employee sign-in sheet (available to download on the OAIE website).
  • The American Indian Education Aid Program Plan Review.