\u201cWe seem to be an afterthought, or in some instances, not even a thought at all,\u201d Ute Mountain Ute education director Tanya Amrine said of local school officials. \u201cThat\u2019s really frustrating.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the 2015 Indian Policies & Procedures meeting with school officials on Oct. 27, tribal leaders granted a rare interview with Amrine, who serves as a tribal liaison to Re-1 schools. During a 90-minute interview with The Journal, Amrine said tribal officials felt disrespected when Superintendent Alex Carter dismissed a request to open lines of communication.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t we as adults figure out a way together so things are more cohesive?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
At the IPP meeting, Ute Mountain Ute vice-chairman Juanita Plentyholes requested that Re-1 school administrators travel to Towaoc once a week to meet with tribal educational leaders and parents. Carter declined, stating that principals didn\u2019t have time and were needed inside the schools.<\/p>\n
Noting principals met outside of their respective schools for district administrative meetings, Amrine subsequently told The Journal that if children were a genuine priority, then Re-1 officials would find a solution to meet the fundamental tribal demand. The effort could help forge greater trust and understanding between the tribe and school system, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be a very big symbolic gesture,\u201d said Amrine, commending officials at both Southwest Open School and Montezuma-Cortez High School for dispatching a school liaison to the tribe\u2019s education center on a weekly basis.<\/p>\n
Adding that the tribe had great working relationships at the state and national levels, Amrine said she was puzzled why school officials were hesitant to improving dialogue.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a tribe, we have more political muscle than the Re-1 school district,\u201d said Amrine. \u201cBecause of our direct contacts, we could probably help the schools.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the interview, Amrine highlighted specific communication breakdowns. Pointing to an elementary school tutoring session last year, Amrine explained that a tribal student was left stranded, all because the school failed to notify tribal transportation officials of a schedule change. In broader terms, Amrine revealed that school officials would often advise tribal officials of a problem student only after the incident had reached a boiling point, arguing that teachers and administrators should be proactive when the first red flag was observed instead of waiting until the confrontation had become unmanageable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to be apart of the conversation,\u201d said Amrine, insisting that the tribe could only assist in reaching positive outcomes for students, parents and the school if properly informed.<\/p>\n
The annual IPP meeting is held to examine inequalities that Native students face at Re-1 schools. Three of the district\u2019s elected board members didn\u2019t attend, and most of the Native parents in attendance had left before public comments were allowed as the two-hour meeting drew to a close.<\/p>\n