NAPAC is a collaborative group of Native American parents, students, and Bayfield School District representatives who work together to support the educational enrichment of Native American students attending school in the district. The committee meets once per month during the academic school year (with a couple of exceptions) and works closely with the district’s Title VI Coordinator, Assistant Superintendent Bill Hesford.
Title VI is a federal grant program for Native American students in the United States. Its purpose is to support these students academically and culturally.
“Parent involvement, through our Native American Parent Advisory Committee (NAPAC), advises our district on the programs wanted and needed for their students, and they also take part in planning for activities and events,” Hesford said.
The committee’s bylaws, which were approved in 2022, requires five parent members and one classroom teacher member to make up the committee, and make provisions for an optional (but preferred) student member from Bayfield High School who is in good academic standing and meets eligibility requirements.
The current vacancy is for a parent member, and in order to be a member of the committee a parent must live within the boundaries of Bayfield School District and be a custodial parent or guardian of a student currently enrolled in the school district.
“NAPAC is our effort to foster a positive and collaborative relationship to help facilitate academic success for Native American students in this school district, and I really encourage parents who qualify to apply for a position on the committee,” Hesford said.
Over 14% of the student population in the Bayfield School District are Native American, and those students represent more than 20 different indigenous tribes from around the United States. NAPAC’s purpose is to ensure that the Title VI program will directly enhance the educational experiences of Native American students, and the committee works with the district to provide academic support, cultural exposure, and enrichment to support all Native American students who attend Bayfield schools.
In addition to Title VI programs, the district receives support and contributions to the effort to make a difference in the lives and academic success of Native American students through a partnership with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and their Johnson O'Malley Committee (JOM).
All meetings of NAPAC are held at the Bayfield Administration Office at 24 Clover Drive and begin at 5:00 p.m. with a scheduled end time of 6:30 p.m. In addition to the next meeting on December 9, the committee is also scheduled to meet on February 3, April 7 and May 5. All of those meeting dates are on a Monday.
Any parent who is interested in participating should email Assistant Superintendent Bill Hesford or contact him at the Bayfield Administration Office during business hours.