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Notice of Annual Impact Aid Hearing and Program Review

Impact Aid Indian Policies and Procedures

The Omak School District, in compliance with Federal Regulations, will conduct its annual review of the District’s Indian Policies and Procedures as they relate to Impact Aid. These policies and procedures have been established to insure parents of Indian students and members and officials of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation equal opportunity for input into the Omak School District.

A complete copy of the Indian Policies and Procedures are attached. They are currently in compliance with 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 223. Policies and Procedures were developed in cooperation with representatives of the Omak School District’s Indian Parent Community.

The purpose of this annual hearing/program review will be to receive input, suggestions or answer questions related to the Indian policies, procedures, programs or other aspects of the Omak School District with regard to the Impact Aid program.

Day/Date:           Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Time:                    5:30 p.m.

Place:                   Omak School District Board Room

All persons are invited to attend this hearing especially parents of Indian children who currently attend or will be attending Omak Schools.

Administration of Impact Aid Funds

Philosophy – Impact Aid funds are based upon the number of students served by the Omak School District whose parents live and or work on federal lands. Since Federal land or Indian Reservation land is a nontaxable entity and cannot generate funds for a Local Education Agency (LEA), Impact aid dollars are given in lieu of these local taxes to help support the impacted L.E.A. Impact Aid funds, therefore, are to be used as supplemental to other funding sources in the support of basic education programs which are to be available and of equal benefit to all district students.

The federal government has further recognized that districts who serve populations living on Indian Reservations may encounter unique problems in meeting needs of that population. In recognition of this fact, Impact Aid provides additional funding for students residing on Indian lands. The purpose of these additional dollars is to help a district adequately provide equal opportunity for  all of its students.

Federal Impact Funds (Indian)

Board Policy 6100         Management Support

Federal impact funds are provided to the district as a supplement to taxes and other revenue sources. State appropriated funds and local taxes contribute to the development and implementation of a basic education program for all students enrolled in the district.  The district gives assurance that tribes and parents of Indian children will be afforded the opportunity to make recommendations regarding the needs of their children and will be involved in the planning and development of the basic education program including those educational programs and services to be provided with P.L. 81-874 funds. Indian students shall have the equal opportunity to participate in the district's program with other students.

Recognizing that the board is the ultimate authority in defining the educational program of the district, the superintendent shall establish procedures to assure the involvement of the tribe and parents of Indian students in the development of the basic education program including the education services to be provided with P.L. 81-874 funds and the participation of Indian children in the program on an equal basis.  The superintendent will provide opportunities for parents and members of the tribal council to suggest if any policy and/or procedure changes as well as program changes are necessary to better serve the needs of the Indian students.

Board Procedure

The district shall have information available related to the P.L.81-874 application, program evaluations and program plans and/or changes to parents of Indian children and tribal officials prior to the application being submitted.  The district will seek input from tribal officials and the parents of Indian children regarding:

• the participation of Indian children in the district's education program on an equal basis;

• their views regarding the P.L. 81-874 application, program evaluation and program plans; and

• their recommendations regarding the needs of Indian children, the ways tribal leaders and parents can assist their children to achieve the benefits of P.L. 81-874 programs, and the overall education program and parental participation allowed.

At the board meeting immediately preceding the submission of the P.L. 81-874 application, the board will review the application and input provided by tribal officials and the parents of Indian children.  Notice of the meeting location, time and topics related to the district's P.L. 81-874 application shall be printed in the local newspaper.

The district shall form a parent-teacher advisory committee (PAC) to involve tribal officials and parents of Indian children in the planning and development of education programs assisted with the district's P.L. 81-874 funds.  The committee shall also assess the efficacy of the district's efforts to obtain meaningful input from tribal officials and parents of Indian children, and the responsiveness of the district in modifying its policies and procedures following input.  The committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the board at a public hearing at least once per year.

Following a conclusion by the board that such an action is necessary, the district shall form an ad hoc task force to recommend to the board a modified educational program to ensure the equal participation of Indian children.  The task force shall report its recommendations to the board in a public hearing.

The PAC shall conduct planning and information sessions during the year. All parents of Indian students and representatives of the tribal council shall be invited to attend these meetings. At these sessions, the district may:

• Review the Strategic Plan of the district;

• Explain how Indian students gain access to and are served by the district's education programs, and how educational programs are modified to ensure equal opportunity and participation by Indian students;

• Review the identified needs of the district with particular attention directed towards assessing the needs of Indian students; and

• Discuss proposed programs and services, which are being considered to satisfy the stated needs and the extent to which Indian students are expected to be served.

Parents of Indian students and members of the tribal council will be advised of the Federal Impact Funds policy and procedure. Expressions of concerns and/or suggestions regarding the policies/procedures of the district are welcome. Any parent of Indian students or a member of the council may file a complaint regarding the application of P.L.81-874 funds with the district. Said complaint should be submitted in writing to the superintendent of schools. Any complaint not satisfactorily resolved may be submitted in writing to the board of directors of the district. The board may elect to respond in writing to the complaint or hold an informal hearing with the complainant(s). A decision will be rendered within twenty (20) working days following submittal of the complaint to the board.