Indigenous Governance Model Gains Momentum with New Bylaw Amendments
Superintendent and Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee engage in community-led dialogue on school schedules and governance changes
Indigenous Democracy Reporter
Bismarck Public School Superintendent Jeff Fastnacht explained that the district needs to make adjustments to the bell schedule due to a shortage of bus drivers and delays in pickup times during the Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee meeting on Oct. 29. (Photo credit/ Adrianna Adame)
In a move aimed at honoring traditional Indigenous governance practices, the Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee approved a series of bylaw amendments designed to bring collective decision-making to the forefront.
At a recent open meeting, committee members and parents gathered to discuss how the new structure will encourage participation from all parties and rely on collective wisdom to foster understanding and prevent future conflicts. The Indigenous approach will prioritize community input and cultivate a healing approach in Bismarck Public Schools.
About 10 Native parents and educators attended a meeting at the BPS Headquarters on Tuesday. The agenda included a review of the revised Johnson O’Malley and Title VI bylaws, including the new Indigenous governance structure, as well as planning for Native American Heritage Month in November. Superintendent Jeff Fastnacht was also present to hear from parents and address questions and concerns about the proposed “bell schedule” changes.
“If we’re going to improve our transportation system, we’ve got to have a commitment to excellence. We need to have a high-quality system that delivers kids, delivers them on time, picks them up on time and ensures that they’re ready for school when they get to school.”
Jeff Fastnacht, Bismarck Public Schools Superintendent
Committee members proposed an Indigenous governance model on Sept. 12. The initiative prompted JOM bylaw amendments, finalized on Oct. 29.
The revisions to the JOM bylaws involve updating the wording and adding new areas to prioritize the new Indigenous governance model. Original rules like Robert’s Rules of Order will still be used during official voting.
Among other changes, a new line will be added to Article VII:
“In recognition of traditional Indigenous practices of governance, consensus-based decision-making will be used for the majority of Indian Education Committee meeting decisions. An annual training will be provided in the principles of consensus-based decision-making. In those instances where an official vote is necessary to satisfy requirements of district, state, or federal policies, Robert’s Rules of Order will be used.”
Similar changes were made in various articles and sections of the JOM bylaws. The IPAC made further suggestions for the Title VI bylaws, which the committee will discuss at the next meeting.
Additionally, the IPAC will consider replacing “Indian” with “Indigenous” in the JOM and Title VI bylaws. Some parents expressed that they identify themselves by their tribe or as Indigenous, rather than as Indian. Tomi Cimarosti, the Indigenous Education Director at BPS, noted that some federal grants contain the term “Indian” in their titles, which means the IPAC may still need to use that term in certain documents for now.
“I think one of the things that we talked about in the past was the term Indian, and it is on the federal register and with grants,” explained Billi Jo Beheler, IPAC chairperson. “Therefore, some of the wording is always ‘Indian.’”
During the second part of the meeting, an open discussion took place about proposed bell changes for the following academic year. The bell change would start school at different times for elementary and secondary school students to solve bus operation issues. Fastnacht explained that the district needs to make adjustments due to a shortage of bus drivers and delays in pickup times, which is leaving staff overwhelmed.
“If we’re going to improve our transportation system, we’ve got to have a commitment to excellence,” he said. “We need to have a high-quality system that delivers kids, delivers them on time, picks them up on time and ensures that they’re ready for school when they get to school. Commonly we hear that they’re 20 minutes late.”
The current school bell schedule starts between 8:20 a.m. and 8:37 a.m. and ends between 3:30 p.m. and 3:42 p.m. Bismarck Public School operates 50 bus routes a day and is run as a one-tier system, where a fleet of buses picks up all students simultaneously.
“Elementary is required by law to have a 6 ½ hour [day] and eight [hour] secondary,” Fastnacht said. “We’re in a pretty tight time slot, so that’s why we’re a one-tier system.”
The goal is to adopt a two-tier routing system similar to West Fargo, Minot and Grand Forks. A smaller fleet of buses and drivers operates two separate routes in this system. Implementing this change would require adjustments to the bell schedule, but it is believed to be a more efficient use of resources.
The new bell schedule would separate elementary and secondary schools by one hour. BPS will develop specific schedules after studying bus routes.
Parents still have the opportunity to ask questions and express their concerns. Fastnacht mentioned that BPS plans to send out a survey in November, allowing parents three to five days to respond. The district will consider this feedback before making official changes in January.
The IPAC will continue organizing events for Native American Heritage Month, including a veterans’ honoring ceremony that will discuss the significance of the flag song and a Native American Heritage Night at the high schools.
At the next meeting in November, the IPAC will start planning winter events and the initial stages of graduation activities. The committee will also review final suggestions for the Title VI bylaws.