2026-2-12 IPAC Meeting Minutes

Seattle Public Schools Native Education
Title Vl, Indian Parent Advisory Committee (IPAC)
Teams Meeting
Thursday, February 12, 2026
6:30–8:00 p.m.

In attendance: IPAC Board & Members

• Trina Nonis, President
• Jason Smith, Vice President
• Donna Hale Wolcott, Member at Large
• Tonia Galindo, Member at Large

Seattle Public Schools / Native Education

• Georgina Badoni, Native Education Program Manager
• Kymberly Hogan, Title VI Coordinator
• Patrick Naranjo, Native Graduation Success Coordinator
• Victoria Hildebrand, Consulting Teacher

City of Seattle – Department of Education & Early Learning (DEEL)

• Dwane Chappelle, Director
• Leilani Dela Cruz, Director of Programs
• Mei‑Li Thomas, DEEL
• Kolbi Manasmith, Indigenous Advisory Council Liaison

Seattle School Board

Evan Briggs, School Board Director & Tribal Liaison

Meeting called to order at 6:36 p.m. by Trina Nonis

Presentation: Families, Education, Preschool (FEP) Levy: Dwane Chappelle (DEEL)

• The renewed FEP Levy (2026–2032) passed with 80% voter approval, the highest since 1990.
• Total investment: ~$1.3 billion over six years.
• Implementation planning underway; City Council review expected beginning April 2026.
• Competitive grant opportunities anticipated in July 2026.

Investment Areas

1. Ready to Start
   • Seattle Preschool Program expansion
   • Child Care Assistance Program (increased capacity)
   • Supports for expecting/new families
   • Child care workforce investments
2. Ready to Learn
   • Academic tutoring and enrichment
   • Whole‑child supports (mental health, food access, family engagement)
   • Community partnerships
3. Ready to Launch
   • Seattle Promise scholarship (post‑secondary access)
   • College pathways (including UW Pathways)
   • Expanded trade and career pathways

Key Commitments Highlighted

• Culturally relevant early learning and child care
• Wraparound supports (including housing and basic needs)
• Continued collaboration with Seattle Public Schools
• Ongoing engagement with Native organizations (e.g., Seattle Indian Health Board, Urban Native Education Alliance)

Community Discussion & Feedback

• Members emphasized that academic support needs are likely higher than survey results indicate.
• Strong need for:
  • Math and reading tutoring
  • Mental health and counseling services
  • Housing and basic needs support
  • Better data collection on Native student needs
• Significant gaps identified in:
  • Support for Native students with IEPs/504s
  • Access to evaluations, therapy, and one‑on‑one tutoring
• Families reported difficulty navigating special education systems without advocates.
• Transportation identified as a major barrier to:
  • Preschool (e.g., Daybreak Star)
  • After‑school, summer, and cultural programs
• Geographic distance and limited public transit reduce participation.
• Strong recommendation to include transportation support in program design.
• Limited availability of Native‑specific summer and after‑school programs.
• Families more likely to attend programs located within their neighborhoods.
• Access and location directly impact participation.
• Strong praise for Seattle Promise:
  • Effective transition support
  • Clear guidance for students and families
• Recommendation to improve outreach so more Native students are aware and apply.

Native Education / Title VI Updates: Georgina Badoni & Kymberly Hogan

• Current Title VI student count: ~423 students (down from prior year).
• Anticipated $20,000–$30,000 decrease in funding next year.
• Declines attributed to:
  • Families leaving Seattle
  • Increased opt‑outs
• High School Graduation Success Coordinator position filled in November 2025
• Part‑time Library position posted (.5 FTE).
• Investments made in:
  • Native library space
  • Transportation for field trips and leadership programming (NAYLA)

Data & Accountability

• Need identified to:
  • Re‑write Title VI grant narrative (previous years relied on outdated content)
  • Improve data on:
    • High school students served
    • Graduation risk
    • Program impact and outcomes
• IPAC emphasized the importance of data for:
  • Grant decisions
  • Government‑to‑government reporting with Tribes
• Concern that students with highest needs are being redirected rather than supported.
• Strong call for proactive, relationship‑based support similar to elementary consulting teacher model.

Logo Update Discussion

• Proposal to update the Native Education / Huchoosedah logo.
• Artist (Louie Gong) willing to create artwork at no cost, contingent on community input.
• Suggested next step:
  • In‑person or virtual gathering with IPAC and Native Ed staff to share ideas and symbolism before May.

• Native Education staff to:
  • Compile and share high‑school data (enrollment, risk, outcomes) with IPAC.
  • Begin rewriting Title VI grant narrative with updated goals and data.
• IPAC & Native Ed to schedule a joint session on logo redesign.
• IPAC members to promote FEP survey within their networks.

• Meeting concluded at approximately 8:48 p.m.

Next meeting scheduled for March 12, 2026

We encourage all parents and guardians of Seattle Public Schools Native American and Alaskan Native Students to attend. The role of the Title Vl Native Education Parent Advisory Committee is to consult with and advise the Seattle School District on the development and operation of the Title Vl Program, assist in the development and approval of the Title Vl grant, and to help organize and conduct community cultural events, it’s important to know that the PAC helps to organize events and raise funds as well.  By serving on the PAC parents and guardians of Native American/Alaskan Native Students in Seattle Public Schools can help decide the program goals and activities.

 For information contact Georgina Badoni gebadoni@seattleschools.org 206-252-0948