HERE AT NAVAJO COUNCIL HEALTH, EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, WHICH IS MEETING IN THE BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ROOM IN WINDOW ROCK, ARIZ.
THE COMMITTEE HAS ACTED ON TWO BILLS: COMMITTEE TABLED LEGILSATION 0137-18 which seek for the Health, Education & Human Services Committee to update and amend the terms and conditions for all designated “Tribal Organizations”, new and upon renewal that are participating as 638 contractors delivering health care services on the Navajo Nation, and COMMITTEE WITHDREW, AT THE REQUEST OF THE LEGISLATION’S SPONSOR, WHO IS HEALTH, EDUCATION & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE VICE CHAIRPERSON NORMAN BEGAY, LEGISLATION 0138-18, which SOUGTH A FORENSIC AUDIT OF THE ALAMO NATION SCHOOL BOARD BY THE U.S. BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION.
COMMITTEE THEN GOES TO LEGISLATION 0142-18 WHICH SEEKS FOR THE HEALTH, EDUCTION & HUMAN SERVICES cOMMITTEE TO SUPPORT THE FORT DEFIANCE CHAPTER IN ITS CONCERNS REGARDING THE ACTIONS OF THE WINDOW ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT’S SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND ITS REQUEST TO THE WINDOW ROCK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TO CONDUCT A FORENSIC AUDIT
DELEGATE JONATHAN HALE Larry Foster and School Board President Carl Hillis here. This bill will go to ApacH County School Superintendent.
WINDOW ROCK SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CARL HILLIS I was Window Rock School District School Board president but i was ousted. community member and working closely with school staff and community to address issues.
FORT DEFIANCE COMMUNITY MEMBER LARRY FOSTER I second Fort Defiance resolution calling for removal of Window Rock School superintendent. This is 150th anniversary of Treaty of 1968. There are violations of policies. What is the tool behind evaluations and people getting released. And on Navajo jurisdiction, Navajo citizens have rights. But there is no accountability and responsibility by Superintendent. And there are violations of human rights and violations of policies regarding hiring of people without licenses. There is a lot of divide and conquer. We know about that technicqu, how that works. In 2018, it is being practiced here on Navajo reservation. My recommendation is review what kind of tool, assessment, financial, teachers credentials and then to look at jurisdiciotn rights. In fort Defiance community, that land that school and superintendent office was given to state by family and state needs to review Window Rock superintendent. And if no favorable decision then can go from Apache County school superintendent to Arizona State Attorney General. All we are asking for is audit. Students have right to learn.
WINDOW ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR KEN COOPER Human Resources director and on admin leave and not ashamed of that. First is support strategic plan, administration and rights of employees. I try not state name but have packet that i spent $100 to copy for committee. The WR school is one of several public schools on Navajo and problem at WR is there is arrogance and disconnect by administration so have superintendent, here for any lengthy of time. And superintendent can craft board to rubbdr stamp. Financial presented don’t add up and false numbers. If you look at apache County, see Window Rock at botoom in math, science, English. Point is what happening at leadership rolls down to students. Leader said if don’t teach culture and history that is equal to not roots of trees. Three board members don’t belong on agenda which is changed without notice. Disrespect for public, who are not allowed to speak. And school board president Carl Hillis removed and that was violation of school policies. And some interpret school board policies like scripture. And so interpreted way believes. Example, employee had complaint filed against him and that person did own investigation of himself. And so I created personnel policy and policies that would stand the test of US Supreme Court. And superintendent hired employee unqualified to handle personnel policies and procedures. And that is where me and superintendent were at odds.
If adhering to Navajo preference in employment act and not considered until Jan. 8, 2018, and because of US Supreme Court.
Level of arrogance on how Navajo employment preference applied at Window Rock school board. one of most distinction in Navajo Office of Hearing and Appels is if entity not adhere to Navajo employment preference then there must be just cause. but if superintendent gets hold of board then all polices and procedures developed that lead back to superintendent. The school board meeting a couple of weeks ago was a take over by superintendent of school board.
i called Apache County school superintendent and Apache county attorney and traveled over there. Attorney said i have sympathetic with you and there are non-Navajos that seek employement cuz high paying jobs and they will not leave or care about students cuz superintendent takes over three of five member school board.
i stood up cuz cud not stand how employees being treated. Silence is validator of wrong.
HEALTH, EDUCATION & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE AMBER CROTTY we received additional packet so make amendment?
HEALTH, EDUCATION & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN HALE this bill and exhibits be handed over to Apache County Superintendent of Schools.
HEHS COMMITTEE MEMBER AMBER CROTTY my only concern is people’s names. Maybe letter form Office of Attorney General.
HEHS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JONATHAN HALE exhibits have people’s name and don’t know if have in confidence.
LEGISLATIVE ATTORNEY ED MC COOL not add unless have permission of people. And there is criminal record in here. Important that this bill supports concerns and exhibits generates prejudice and involved committee in merits of arguments and there is no statement from other side.
HEHS COMMITTEE MEMBER AMBER CROTTY I am concerned about last letter that is part of reference letter, it appears to be a little extreme regarding employee and was it changed due to US Supreme Court. We were concerned that Board voted to litigate against Navajo and know some Board members didn’t agree. I had to educate Central Consolidated School regarding leasing on our land and on what our student rights were and that we dontinue to educate per federal funds cuz they are Navajo.
my concerns is, and committee not first time that superintendent stacks school boards, so how work with school board elections on diversity and axxountability. and did not hear if allowed public comment and ongoing issue with window rock school district when wanted to do away with emersion program. what are policies regarding School Board litigating against Navajo.
LEGISLATIVE ATTORNEY ED MC COOL regarding letters, and additional material, only one strikes me as neutral enough is attorney general that complaint can be filed. Names of people, driving records.
WINDOW ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CARL HILLIS tactic used when serious issues addressed and i have copy of Special Meeting of school board and endorsed and printed up by Superintendent. the tactic is this cuz executive session and how board arrived at decision of pulling Board out of sovereignty and federal government to look into. Board goes into executive session and when come out, Vote disclosed and not how or why.
The special board meeting, public information, but says if vote 3-2 to go into excurive session and no sayso but should bwhen come out. Public should have right to ask how board member voted and why. Always say transpareny but they are as transparent as wall. Board members aleted to this tactic of superintendent. i’ll give you special board meeting addressing audit and resolution of Fort Defiance and talk to attorney. So basically paying lawyer with money for kids to conduct investigation and audit. And i have asked for financial documents and never received. Don’t know how investigate chapter. St. Michaels also passed bill asking for what Fort Defiance wanted.
WINDOW ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
HALE we can make motion to add attorney general for open meeitn law. they said review and get back and haven’t been done. Know have similar issues regarding other school boards and school bus routes crossing state lines. This issue not just Window Rock School District but all public schools on Navajo Nation.
DELEGATE STEVEN BEGAY motion to add audit after forensic in bill. SECONDED BY HALE 3-0 DELEGATES VOTING YES ARE AMBER CROTTY, STEVEN BEGAY, JONATHAN HALE.
