CCSD to look into dropping rez schools

By Brian Hassler
Staff Writer

SHIPROCK — Randy Manning has worked hard both on and off the reservation to help children in their educational pursuits, but he only needed to be asked by Navajo Nation leaders once to leave.

Manning, who is a member of the Central Consolidated School District board of education, was leaving a school board meeting after it had voted to extend the contract of superintendent Dr. Linda Besett when he was confronted by a group of protestors and Navajo Nation leaders.

"Council Delegate Ervin Keeswood told me to go across river and go home," said Manning. "He was part of an angry group that yelled at me to go to my side of the river and leave."

Other district employees and parents were in attendance and confirmed that the confrontation occurred and that the group protesting the decision created such an uproar that police officers were called to appear at the Shiprock board room.

Since that time Manning has taken the request seriously and is preparing a presentation that will attempt to separate the city of Kirtland and its schools from CCSD.

"We're looking at the possibility of creating a new school district," said Manning. "The leaders of the Navajo Nation insist that the Navajo Education Law be followed and that we're responsible for its implementation."

One of the challenges that CCSD faces is the dual requirements of the New Mexico Public Education Department and the Navajo Nation.

"The only way to do that is a reservation district," said Manning. "We have councilmen and chapter presidents that insist on this (Navajo law as the top priority) happening and don't understand that the education requirements are mandated by the state. I've never been treated so badly as I have in past year by Navajo tribal representatives; so I'm going to take myself back to my side of river."

A Kirtland school district would require its own superintendent, its own school board and the approval of the Education Secretary Veronica Garcia.

In order to get such a request to Garcia, Manning will be presenting his plan to the CCSD school board at the June 15 work session and Manning will work to obtain approval of 60 percent of registered voters in the Kirtland area to take the seven schools in Kirtland and create a Kirtland school district.

If Manning can get enough signatures, the proposal would then go to Garcia and she would have 90 days before a decision would be made.

"Our board can't have two governments saying what to do when they contradict each other," said Manning. "If we were told we had to follow title 10 law, it says that the Navajo Nation will set the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals."
"That means we'd have an AYP for Navajos and then an AYP for all others," added Manning. "That means I'd have to segregate my classes. You can't be governed by two laws. They can't do it as long as Kirtland is part of district. We'll create our own district and the Navajo tribe can run education on reservation."

Such a decision is one that Shiprock Chapter President Duane "Chili" Yazzie has discussed and supported in the past but currently feels should be thoroughly investigated.

"That would be a major move, one that should involve a lot of consideration and deliberation on the impacts," said Yazzie.

"Obviously it would have its positives impact but I'm sure there would be some negatives in order to not hurt the educational services to the children. If the positives outweigh the negatives, I would definitely support that idea."

District Superintendent Besett has maintained neutrality under such considerations, stating that she will support whatever decisions the majority of the community and Garcia come to.

"It may be time, although I haven't studied the situation completely," said Besett. "It's not my thing to initiate; either way it's fine with me. This stems from Mr. Manning's feelings of not being treated with respect. If he's not wanted, then maybe it is time to create another school district."

For Manning, many of the questions will be answered at the work session but the work has already begun to obtain the needed signatures.

"I've lived in Kirtland and Shiprock my whole life," said Manning. "Some of my best friends are Navajo, and I was in Shiprock for fourth grade. I'm perfectly happy in Shiprock, but as long as a school district can't do what's best for children because of a political group that has an agenda, I have to consider other options.

"Only way that things can happen is that the state government sits down with tribal government and says that this district must follow state regulations. Until Navajo tribe is paying for its own education, this is the way it has to be. Otherwise we need to create a reservation district and a Kirtland district," added Manning.

Attempts to contact Keeswood were unsuccessful.

Brian Hassler is The Independent's Four Corners reporter based in Shiprock. Contact him at (505) 360-7862 or via email at brianhassler@hotmail.com.