School board approves policies for Indigenous students, reviewed school reports and got good news from the Career and Technical Education program

San Juan School Board members spoke about language in policies regarding Indigenous students, reviewed school reports and received a report about CTE programs at their latest meeting.
Members of the San Juan School Board held a discussion regarding the Indian Policy and Procedures (IPP) before ultimately approving the policies at their February 10 meeting.
Members of the school board reviewed comments received at last month’s board meeting as well as conversations with tribal leaders at the most recent Navajo Utah Commission meeting.
School District Administrative staff relayed there were concerns regarding the term “Indian” noting its derogatory connotations in some contexts. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Derek Begay explained that the term can’t be completely eliminated from district documents
“They're referenced in treaties, federal and state legislation and other historically significant documents, laws and and rules both federal and state sides. So I put in there an acknowledgement of those terms and their historical place.”
Begay further explained the document provides those historical roots of those terms while expressing a preference for specific tribal names or Indigenous.
Members of the board also heard that the Teec Nos Pos Chapter wanted to be sure to be included in the IPP with similar opportunities for feedback and visits the same as other chapters in the Utah portion of the Navajo Nation. Staff also relayed that efforts to increase and improve communication with tribal leaders has been appreciated with continued dedication to those efforts.
Members of the school board also reviewed school trust land final reports. The funds received through trust land association requires schools to develop plans for the funds for transparency. The reports showed that most schools met or partially met their goals and stayed within the mandated 10-percent funding carryover.
Members of the board also reviewed school report cards from the state board of education.
While Whitehorse High School recently exited from an Additional Targeted Support and Improvement designation, Tse'Bii'Nidzisgai Elementary School was placed in a comprehensive school improvement category. The district reports they’re developing a support plan for TES which is due to the state by the end of June.
Members of the school board also reviewed declining enrollment trends. Noting the birth rates in San Juan County overall is down pointing to 188 births in 2017 against 124 in 2024. The district notes that kindergarten numbers are already down with decreased numbers projected over the next five years impacting secondary schools.
Members of the San Juan School board did celebrate the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department. The department received a $440,000 Catalyst grant to rebuild the electromechanical program at Whitehorse High.
Members of the board also recognized Whitehorse High Student Wachaykeah Martin who was nominated for the US Presidential Scholar in Career Technical Education. Martin was chosen for her proficiency in career pathways as well as ingenuity, creativity and employable skills. She was nominated by her advisor and teacher Kim Dee. Martin is one of five Utah scholars with nominations sent to Washington DC.
The district also received recognition from San Juan County Sheriff Lehi Lacy, who recognized the districts aid for their efforts related to an incident in May of 2025 when a Colorado bus carrying students caught on fire on highway 191. The district sent an empty bus nearby to successfully transport the students to safety. The bus was a complete loss but no one was seriously injured in the incident.
Members of the board also heard a report from Superintendent Christine Fitzgerald on an initiative to support para-educations and build a teaching pipeline. The initiative offers a course where 40 district para-educators are being trained to meet state standards.
The district is also using grants to help Indigenous para-educators transition into licensed teaching roles. A grant is supporting 26 openings for elementary and special education teachers as well as Navajo language teachers.
Members of the board also approved LEA Specific licenses and endorsements, which act as temporary licenses while staff reach further required certification the board also approved their meeting schedule for 2026-2027.