Tribal Education review team named

PABLO — A homemade, gourmet catered luncheon, offered savory chicken, colorful salads and mouth-watering huckleberry brownies, was held by the Tribal Council for local school officials on Monday, April 27 at the Tribal Complex, in hopes that officials will participate on the education review team.

Tribal council members, education review team members and school officials were introduced and given an opportunity to comment on the review process.

The agenda aimed at discussing the review process, seeking out additional team members, handing out TGD’s proposal and introducing facilitator, Dale Tiffany, an enrolled CSKT member with TGD will serve as the project manager for the review.

TGD is a licensed and registered for-profit business, in Seattle. TGD’s goal is to assist the Tribes to determine whether the resources (human and dollar) provide quality learning programs, which help students achieve their learning goals in a reasonable time.

The Tribal Council invited several education program managers and key staff in November 2008 to offer comment on the concept of a comprehensive review of education programs which serve the tribal membership.

Following the initial input from the group in November, the Tribal Council published a survey in December requesting public input on the concept. The result was that most responses remained optimistic about the potential outcomes of the study.

The review will not only look at the Tribal Education department, but will also include a review of Early Childhood Services, Kicking Horse Job Corp, TERS, DHRD employment and training programs and Salish Kootenai College.

After Tribal Council advertised for interested community members to serve on the review team, the following individuals were appointed: Dr. Joseph McDonald, Kevin Howlett, Jeanne Christopher, Victor Charlo, Leslie Caye, Shelly Fyant and Marie Torosian. The team was selected for their knowledge, input, passion about education, and willingness to dedicate energy to the comprehensive review over the next 15 - 18 months. The team’s purpose is to advise and assist Tribal Council in the development of restructuring education services through a review and strategic planning process.

Teresa Wall-McDonald, CSKT Policy Analyst, says the committee remains incomplete needing one youth representative. The Tribal Council has expressed the importance of getting input and experience from a youth on the team.

Following the luncheon last Monday, Tribal Council appointed additional members from the public school system to the committee: Clarice King, TERS Superintendent; Gale Decker, Lake County Superintendent; Andy Holmlund, Ronan School Superintendent and Steve York, Polson Linderman School Principal.

Tribal council is now recruiting for a Youth Representative according to Wall-McDonald.

The review team’s goal is for better educational success for individuals and better educational outcomes for the dedication of tribal resources. Kevin Howlett, committee member shared with the group on his optimism, “We’re in a position to model between public schools and the Tribes on how to mold and compliment each other. Everybody’s opinion is valid.”