La Conner School Board members at their Jan. 26 meeting adopted the district’s annual Indian Education Policies and Procedures (IPP) document, heard reports from Pre-K teacher Faith McIntosh and Braves Hub after-school program site coordinator Jess Pedroza, and announced the retirement of longtime elementary campus teacher Becky Swanson.

Approval of the six-point IPP, which assures Native American students have equal access to all programs, services and activities offered within the school district and promotes regular dialogue between La Conner Schools and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC), was the first order of business covering a fast-paced meeting agenda.

The five-page IPP document, which is tied to the district’s receipt of federal impact aid funding, was approved for the 2026-27 academic year following a 15-minute public hearing. La Conner Schools receive about $2 million in impact aid each year, funds that offset lost revenue due to there being tax-exempt federal property in the district.  

La Conner Schools Superintendent David Cram noted that having the IPP in place is a federal requirement for receipt of both the impact aid monies and funds through Native American educational grants while also fostering ongoing district interaction with tribal members.

A major vehicle for that interaction is the Native American Parent Advisory Committee (NAPAC), which meets a minimum three times per year and also represents families of migrant students.

Swinomish Senator Fred Cayou, among those attending the board session, suggested and received support from district leaders to make available NAPAC and IPP information and materials at monthly Swinomish Community Dinners.

Board member J.J. Wilbur, who serves with Cayou on the Swinomish Senate, suggested further that the district and tribal community lobby jointly to convince federal officials to rename the Indian Education Policies and Procedures document and related grant programs, the moniker seen locally as insensitive and antiquated.

Wilbur said the document title has triggered trauma for Swinomish Senator Barb James, a survivor of the Indian boarding schools system.

“Maybe Swinomish and La Conner School District leadership can work together for a name change,” Wilbur said.

McIntosh and Pedroza drew praise from the board and district administrators after they outlined the student-centered approach they’ve taken in balancing student academic and social-emotional growth in their respective grant-funded programs.

McIntosh has introduced to her 4-year-old students a wide range of skills, including classifying and sorting, building language awareness, creativity through art, and numeral recognition. She said her goal is to build self-confidence among her students and prepare them for kindergarten.

“I know these students are ready for kindergarten,” La Conner Elementary Principal Marcus Knowles told the board. “Anything we can do to make this program continue going forward would be great.”

Pedroza said her focus at Braves Hub is to inspire confidence, competence, and creativity among Braves Hub students.

“They do an amazing job creating things,” Pedroza said of her charges. “I’m very inspired by the kids with their creativity.”

Pedroza was joined by students Seraphine Alexander, a fifth grader, and first grader Kamaria Pollard.

“What I love about Braves Hub is that there are so many fun activities and it’s not a place to just sit around,” Alexander said.

Pollard, who repeatedly delighted those in the meeting room by bravely asking questions of and offering comments to board members, echoed Alexander.

Board president Susie Deyo noted the retirement this week, coinciding with the end of the semester, of third grade teacher Becky Swanson after more than three decades with the district.

“I want to personally thank her for 36 years of service,” Deyo said.

Of Swanson, District Director of Teaching and Learning Beth Clothier pointed out that “we have staff and students here who have taught with or been taught by her over the years.”

Cram said the district will hire an interim third grade teacher for the remainder of the school year.

Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.