DREAM DINÉ GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, September 21, 2015—6:30PM

Dream Diné Office, Shiprock, NM

MINUTES

  1. Call to Order—6:32pm
  1. Invocation
  1. Roll Call

Governing Council Members

TellethaValenski-President

Yolanda Benally-Littletree

Dr. Kim Mohs

Kara Bobroff (Phone)

Clarence Hogue

Guests

Brenna Clani-Washinawatok

Sandy Beery

Gavin Sosa

Alyssa Begay

James Joe

  1. Approval ofJuly and August2015 Minutes- Motion (Kim), 2nd (Yolanda), Vote 5-0
  1. Approval of Agenda-Clarencemakes recommendationto move “public comments” from James Joe up. Motion (Kim), 2nd (Yolanda), Vote 5-0
  1. Public Comments (moved, Item I on original Agenda)

Mr. Joe has visited and made observations of texture. Mr. Joe will continue updating Dr. Mohs via email. Asking price is $6,000.00 . Marcus Capman will be assisting. Dr. Mohs would like to begin fundraising. Yolanda mentioned Capacity Builders that could possibly aid with purchase.

  1. Discussion and possible Action Items:

a. BARs Budget Adjustment to accept lease reimbursement. Motion (Kara), 2nd (Kim), Vote 5-0

b. Financial Reports- Approved financial reports for August 2015. Motion (Kara), 2nd (Kim), Vote 5-0

i. Finance/Audit Committee Reports- no report

c. Approval of contracts for staff and teacher: Celeste is leaving at the end of September (see school updates). Job Description for 1st grade lead teacher will be posted. Telletha will be the contact person for interested candidates. The Governing Council will help to distribute a job description.

d. Student Lottery-One new enrollment today. DDCS now has a total of 33 children.

e. Principal Recruitment Plan –no action taken

f. Governance Council Member Recruitment-Clarence updated council about accountant who was interested but does not have time.

Brenna Clani-Washinawatokis interested in GC to help with state law and legislation. Brenna speaks briefly about her experience as a parent and lawyer. The GC will vote to bring Brenna Clani-Washinawatok into the GC at October GC meeting.

g. Updates on committees: evaluation process for Lead Teacher, Principal Administrator: November 16, 2015 work session includes: Short and long term facility planning,Budget 101, leadership model. Kim and Telletha are heading the facilitator team. Yolanda will be a backup facilitator. No Action Taken

  1. Updates
  2. Head Administration/Principal (Sandy Beery)
  3. Staff hired-no action to report
  4. School Updates (Sandy):

Action item for next month: Board has to approve or disapprove social security to staff members. School staff members will have to speak with GC.

Transportation from Navajo Nation: Kara sent a letter to the DepartmentOf Dine Education and has not heard anything back about contracting. DDCS would have to hire a bus driver.

DIBELS reading is completed.Staff members to better understand students and the data from DIBLEs.

DIBELS math assessment (k-3) and short cycle assessments will be used this year. DIBELS math is free assessment and will be completed in October.

No staff feedback from staff orientation. Josh and Celeste have come up with a curriculum template. Professional Development plan will focus is on curriculum planning, special education, dual language, and outdoor education.

Brenna reminded GC of the need for a bi-lingual teacher, with a strong Navajo language and culture background. 520 teacher will be a priority for recruitment. September 30th will be Celeste’s last day; she has committed to supporting staff members with curriculum.

PED site visit April 2015—report was sent to DDCS this week (September 2015). Report was due back with responses in June 2015. Sandy and Gavin plan on having report back before October 30, 2015.

  1. Director of Operations (Gavin):
  2. Facility- Law firm was hired to facilitate conversation with Indian Health Services, who is the advisor for the Office of Environmental Health. Herman Shorty was unclear with decision making process for DDCS, and has not worked to update DDCS or involve DDCS in conversations. Operational Procedures have been sent to IHS/OEH. Code Clearance had also been sent to IHS/OEH but no feedback has been received to date.

Shiprock Chapter President and DDCS will meet to talk about potential plans for short and long term growth at Shiprock site and beyond site.

  1. NMPED review (addressed in school update)
  2. Outreach-Posted on Facebook. Full time educational assistant who is certified to teach Navajo Language and Culture, and has a 520 license. Suggestions for outreach at DDCS booth.
  1. Parent Advisory Committee
  1. PAC updates

First meeting was September 8, 2015. Parents have decided to reserve booth for Northern Navajo fair and set-up.

ii. Next parent meeting is 22 September 2015.

  1. The next meeting of the Governing Council will be October 19, 2015
  2. AdjournmentMotion (Kara), 2nd (Kim), Vote 5-0