Rochester Public Schools wants to increase its American Indian workforce

Jordan Shearer, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.
·2 min read

Mar. 27—ROCHESTER — After years of failing to meet the state requirements in regard to American Indian staffing, Rochester Public Schools is trying to make an effort to change its course.

A week ago, the district's American Indian Parent Advisory Committee submitted its annual letter of non concurrence to the district's leadership. Essentially, the letter is an annual reminder that the school district has failed to meet a number of requirements.

"We're striving for concurrence and obviously haven't gotten there," Superintendent Kent Pekel said.

The letter outlines multiple areas that need improvement in regard to the district's relationship with its American Indian Community, including the recruitment and retention of American Indian Staff; collaboration communication and professional development; and student learning, cultural identity and curriculum and instruction.

"The self-assessment that AIPAC uses to evaluate us — there are 33 items on the assessment, and they could take us to task probably on all of those things," Board member Jess Garcia said.

According to the committee's letter, RPS had 18 American Indian staff members last year, which has decreased to 14 this year. The letter requests the district to work with colleges and universities to increase the number of potential applicants.

"That has to be an increased effort," HR Director Karl Bakken said. "I will acknowledge that."

In addition to the process of recruiting more applicants, district leaders also discussed the need to conduct exit interviews with those who have left the district so that it can improve its work environment for others. Garcia went so far as to call the district "unsafe" for people of color.

"I know we like to think of ourselves as inclusive, but we're not. We might be diverse, but it's not necessarily an inclusive space," Garcia said. "There are a lot of people who just up and leave here because it is not safe."

AIPAC has submitted letters of non-concurrence for years. This year, however, comes on the back of numerous new mandates regarding American Indian education.

Earlier this year, RPS American Indian coordinator Amelia Cordell gave a broader overview of the work of American Indian education in the district, such as the annual graduation powwow and new curriculum requirements. AIPAC member Valerie Guimares said increasing education about American Indian students is beneficial for the district overall.

"It benefits all the students," said AIPAC member Valerie Guimares. "Not just our students."