2025 ISBC Symposium - Polson
Sponsored by ISBC
Attend in person at the Red Lion Ridgewater Inn & Suites - Polson
Thursday, July 17 - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
8:45 am: Check In
9:00 – 9:15 am: Welcome by ISBC Officers
9:15 am – 10:15 am: Session 1
Fulfilling Indian Education for All
Julie Jeffers, Office of Public Instruction Indian Education Specialist
OPI will provide an overview of the Constitutional promises of Indian Education for All and updates in the law from the 2025 Legislature. The session will offer participants with resources to provide meaningful opportunities to for students to engage in Indian Education for All curriculum.
10:15 am – 11:15: Session 2
Board Governance 101
Tony Koenig, Director of Policy and Senior Counsel, MTSBA
Being elected to a school board is often compared to drinking from a firehose. Once elected, you are responsible not only for yourself and your kids, but also for each and every student in your community. Being a good board member who is able to learn about school issues and make decisions based on the best interests of students can be easier said than done. This session will discuss your obligations, duties, and responsibilities as a trustee and best practices to ensure effective and productive school board governance.
11:15 am – 12:30 pm: Session 3
Cultural Teachings and Supporting Education through Board Governance
Terry Brockie, Teacher, Former Superintendent, and Consultant
About the Speaker: A member of the Aaniiih (White Clay Nation) of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Terry Brockie has devoted much of his life to perpetuating his Tribal culture through language revitalization. Terry currently teaches his native language at Aaniiih/Nakoda College and works as a consultant in education & Tribal economic development.
12:30 – 1:00pm: Lunch from MacKenzie River, provided by ISBC.
1:00 – 2:00 pm: Session 4
Indian Education for All Lawsuit Update
Debra Silk, MTSBA Associate Executive Director and General Counsel
Following the conclusion of Yellow Kidney v. Montana lawsuit, this session will review the settlement and expectations for the state. This session will provide information for districts to ensure the spirit and guarantees of Indian Education for All are met.
2:00 – 3:00 pm: Session 5
Impact Aid & Indian Education for All Funding
Lonnie Morin, District Clerk, Arlee School District & MASBO
Impact Aid can often brings confusion and lack of clarity for school districts and staff. This session will review Impact Aid and how your district can best leverage Impact Aid resources to improve opportunities for your students and school community. Impact Aid is a federal education program that reimburses school districts for the lost revenue and additional costs associated with the presence of nontaxable Federal property.
____________________________
Disclaimer: Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA) has designed these materials to provide helpful information regarding topics and best practices on issues concerning the administration and governance of Montana K-12 public schools. These materials are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. MTSBA does not intend nor should these materials be construed to constitute the rendering of any legal advice. Should the recipient of these materials desire legal advice on any of the topics or information contained herein, MTSBA recommends that the recipient make a specific request for legal advice.S