SKOKOMISH EDUCATION ORDINANCE

 

Adopted by Resolution No. 96-65 (September 25, 1996)

Amended by Resolution No. 09-025 (February 4, 2009)

Amended by Resolution No. 09-080 (May 13, 2009)

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

2.02.001          Title

2.02.002          Authority and Declaration of Policy

2.02.003          Jurisdiction

2.02.004          Liberal Construction

2.02.005          Severability               

 

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

2.02.010          Role of the Education Committee

 

OPERATION OF TRIBAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

2.02.020          Duties of the Education Director and Education Committee

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

2.02.030          General Policies and Procedures

 

 

General Provisions

 

2.02.001          Title

 

This Ordinance shall be known as the Skokomish Education Ordinance.

 

2.02.002          Authority and Declaration of Policy

 

Education of Skokomish Tribal members is vital to the cultural and economic existence of the Skokomish Indian Tribe.  This Skokomish Education Ordinance is enacted pursuant to the inherent sovereign authority of the Skokomish Indian Tribe in accordance with the Treaty of Point No Point, the Constitution of the Skokomish Indian Tribe and applicable federal law.  By this Ordinance and the regulations adopted under it, the Skokomish Indian Tribe intends to ensure that the education of Skokomish Tribal members is a quality education: effective in preparing tribal members for their futures; appropriate to the unique needs of tribal members; and relevant to the heritage of the Skokomish Indian Tribe.

 

2.02.003          Jurisdiction

 

The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to the fullest extent of the sovereign jurisdiction of the Skokomish Indian Tribe authorized by the Constitution of the Skokomish Indian Tribe, the Treaty of Point No Point and applicable federal law.  The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to and be in conformity with all agreements and other cooperative arrangements entered into by the Skokomish Indian Tribe designed to ensure a quality education to Skokomish Tribal members.  The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to all persons who are eligible to receive educational services and benefits from the Skokomish Indian Tribe.

 

2.02.004          Liberal Construction

 

This Ordinance shall be liberally construed to give full effect to the objectives and purposes for which it was enacted.

 

2.02.005          Severability

 

If any provision of this Ordinance, or its application to any person legal entity or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the Ordinance, or the application of the provision to other persons, legal entities, or circumstances, shall not be effected.

 

Education Committee

 

2.02.010          Role of the Education Committee

 

(a)  Education Committee Established.  There is hereby established the Skokomish Education Committee (hereinafter “Education Committee”).

 

(b)  Role of the Education Committee.  The Education Committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the Tribal Council and shall have the authority to:

 

(1)  Examine education issues, gather facts and establish the necessary comprehensive planning process which shall coordinate resources on the Skokomish Indian Reservation to monitor, improve and create education systems for the benefit of Skokomish Tribal members; and

 

(2)  Recommend a comprehensive planning process for education systems to the Tribal Council; and

 

Operation of Tribal Education Programs

 

2.02.020          Duties of the Education Director and Education Committee

 

(a)  Duties of the Education Director.  In addition to other duties assigned by the Tribal Council, the Tribal Manager, or the Education Committee, the Education Director shall:

 

(1)  Identify and contact key individuals who will supply education information to the Education Committee;

 

(2)  Identify and review education issues for the Education Committee;

 

(3)  Serve as a sounding board for Education Committee issues and ideas;

 

(4)  Conduct and compile tribal education needs assessment using education reports and data from schools, other education programs and entities, and surveys of parents, community members, Tribal Council members, and educators.

 

(b)  Duties of the Education Committee.  The Education Committee shall have the following duties:

 

(1)  Review Tribal Council priorities with key contact individuals and community members and gain their views and insights;

 

(2)  Draft tribal education goals based on the priorities, review draft goals with the Tribal Council, explain the impact of the goals on current tribal and non-tribal schools and education programs, and gain approval or revision and approval of the goals from Tribal Council;

 

(3)  Develop materials to use in explaining tribal education goals and priorities to schools, education programs, and state and federal agencies;

 

(4)  Meet with school boards, governing bodies of other education programs and entities, and state and federal education agencies to:

 

(A)  Explain and discuss tribal education priorities and goals;

 

(B)  Determine how these tribal education priorities and goals support or conflict with existing situations in schools and programs or their rules and policies; and

 

(C)  Begin developing options for cooperative efforts between the Tribe and non-tribal programs and agencies tied to increasing education achievement by and success of tribal students.

 

(5)  Keep the Tribal Council informed of tribal and non-tribal reaction to implementing the tribal education goals and to addressing the Tribal Council’s education priorities; identify and develop strategies for overcoming any obstacles;

 

(6)  Monitor tribal education problems and progress; develop any needed revisions in program objectives and plans; implement the revisions as appropriate;

 

(7)  Meet with non-education tribal programs such as law enforcement, tribal court, and social services to:

 

(i)  Discuss need for assisting schools in addressing tribal education needs and problems; and

 

(ii)  Develop strategies and plans for coordinating tribal resources on addressing the needs and problems (e.g. truancy, child welfare, etc.).

 

(8)  Work in cooperation with the Cultural Committee to identify and gather materials on tribal history, language, culture, and values to:

 

(A)  Meet with educators and school officials to review the materials and discuss the value of using them in schools and education programs; and

 

(B)  Jointly develop strategies and plans for integrating them into formal education processes in classes and through teacher training.

 

Policies and Procedures

 

2.02.030          General Policies and Procedures

 

(a)  Expenditures - Committee Action Required.  No member of the Education Committee shall be authorized to expend funds, commit any funds, or take action with respect to any matter, whether or not formally brought to the Education Committee for resolution, without prior authorization of the Education Committee.

 

(b)  Liability of Committee Members.  No individual Education Committee member shall be held liable for any action taken by the Education Committee.  The Education Committee shall be considered an agency of the Skokomish Indian Tribe.

 

(c)  Additional Policies and Procedures.  Except as already provided for within this Ordinance, the Education Committee may establish additional Education Committee Policies and Procedures to fulfill its duties for review and approval by the Tribal Council.  The Education Committee may assist the Education Director in the formulation of Education Program Policies and Procedures.

 

(d)  Review.  The Education Committee shall annually review the Education Committee Policies and Procedures and the Education Program Policies and Procedures.