2011-17: Requesting the Federal Government to Provide an Increase for the Tribally Controlled Schools’ Transportation Departments to Properly Manage the Maintenance, Repairs and Salaries

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1970 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, NIEA as the largest national Indian organization of American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian educators, administrators, parents and students in the United States, provides a forum to discuss and act upon issues affecting the education of Indian and Native people; and

WHEREAS, through its’ unique relationship with Indian nations and tribes, the federal government has established programs and resources to meet the educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, schools operated by tribal governing boards are entitled to receive adequate transportation funding. Governing boards are (like Na’ Neelzhiin) requesting to increase the student transportation fund to at least $3.50 per mile which is much closer to the national average than the $2.61 per mile that is now being operated with; and

WHEREAS, in many Native schools (like Na’ Neelzhiin Ji Olta’, Inc.) students travel over great distances and on poor road conditions especially during inclement weather. These treacherous roads take a tremendous toll on all government vehicles especially buses; as a result, buses break down and force the school to reduce bus routes which means earlier and longer bus rides for students which in return results in fatigue students at school and then makes an impact on academic progress; and

WHEREAS, the small amount of $2.58 per mile funding cannot fully support costs incurred for items such as high fuel cost, vehicle rental, constant maintenance and repairs and bus driver salaries. The student transportation funding shortage must be made up from the educational program funds (ISEP); now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA requests to the federal government to provide an increase to the student transportation funding to at least $3.90 per mile which his much closer to the national average of $3.58.