Minutes of the State Advisory Council on Indian Education
Quarterly Meeting
Indian Education Resource Center
818 West Third Street
Pembroke, NC
January 19, 2012
The State Advisory Council on Indian Education met and the following members were present:
Members in Attendance:
Brandi Brooks
Teresa Cunningham-Brown
Velina Hammonds Ebert
Guests:
Danny Bell
Brenda Dial Deese
Bill Harrison
Myra Hunt
Staff:
Katie Cornetto
Rep. Charles Graham
Marcia Hollifield
Audrey Hunt
Eric Locklear
Rita Locklear
Trudy Locklear
Brett Locklear
Tiffany Graham Locklear
Claire Morrow
Olivia Oxendine
Shelby Oxendine
Joseph Richardson
Chris Scott
Ogletree Richardson
Will Paul
Janella Williams
Debora Williams
Call to Order/Roll Call of Members/Guest Introductions
Interim chairperson Brandi Brooks called the meeting of the State Advisory Council on Indian Education to
order at 9:13 a.m. followed by a roll call of members. Present are those indicated above. Absent were:
Teresa Jones and Angela Lynch. The interim chairperson reviewed meeting materials: agenda; bylaws;
meeting minutes for February 17, 2011 and November 19, 2011; and SACIE contacts.
Review of Bylaws
The interim chairperson reviewed portions of the bylaws, specifically membership and attendance. Council
members requested explanations on “absence for good reason” and the process for obtaining information
regarding meeting absences. The council agreed to schedule a planning meeting to review and update the
bylaws.
Installation of New Members
Myra Hunt, Clerk for the Town of Pembroke, installed three new members to the Council as approved by the
North Carolina State Board of Education: Teresa Cunningham-Brown, Brett Locklear and Christopher Scott.
A signed Oath of Office is on file at the NC Department of Public Instruction. Sen. Jim Davis was appointed
to the council by President Pro Tempore of the Senate Phil Berger.
Conversation with the North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) Chairman, Bill Harrison
Ms. Brooks introduced and welcomed the SBE chair, Bill Harrison. Chairman Harrison thanked the council
for their commitment to helping every student graduate prepared for college and career. Chairman Harrison
was pleased to share with the council that Olivia Oxendine has agreed to serve as the DPI liaison to the
council. Major duties of the liaison will be to serve as a conduit for information between the SBE and the
council, periodically meet with tribal leaders and Title VII coordinators, produce the council’s annual report
to the SBE as directed by the council.
Chairman Harrison asked the council to review recommendations from previous annual reports and notify the
board of the top five recommendations. He asked the council to hold the SBE and DPI accountable for action
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Quarterly Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2012
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on advice received from the council. Chairman Harrison stipulated that a DPI position to serve solely as
SACIE liaison is not possible in this economic climate. However, the council will have the full use of SBE
and DPI resources. The SBE is committed to scheduling and convening of a summit on Indian education.
Chairman Harrison then entertained questions and comments from meeting participants.
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Danny Bell questioned the relationship of the SBE and university Board of Governors.
o The Board of Governors and the SBE have a good relationship with the leadership of
both organizations and the community college leadership working closely to promote
Pk-20 education initiatives in North Carolina.
Brett Locklear stated that issues formerly associated with secondary education now carryover
to postsecondary education and questioned if DPI would be interested in supporting the
council’s work to improve American Indian students’ preparation for higher education.
o The SBE and DPI work to insure all students receive adequate preparation in the
early years and throughout secondary education.
o Rep. Charles Graham commented that legislators are not intent on continuing support
for remediation at the post-secondary level.
Brett Locklear asked if the liaison would have a specified number of hours to devote to
the council. Will the liaison meet with tribal councils and attend the Unity Conference
and NIEA conference?
o The chairman will meet with the liaison to clarify expectations but initial duties
involve meeting quarterly with Title VII coordinators; managing the council
budget and sharing opportunities for outreach with SBE chair and members.
The council is expected to share concerns regarding this process with the chair.
Liaison will be provided opportunities to attend relevant conferences as
appropriate.
Teresa Cunningham-Brown commented that a component of the Race to the Top (RttT)
initiative includes support of high quality teaching, a need of American Indian students.
Does the council have access to those funds?
o Funds for RttT are quite prescriptive and used to 1) provide professional
development specific to common core and 2) create a structure to support
professional development that is embedded in what teachers and
administrators do on a daily basis.
Rita Locklear added the provision for an annual revision that includes a process for
suggested changes.
o There is more flexibility allowed in the local plans than in the state plan.
Additional comments expressed an appreciation to the chairman for attending the meeting and
providing an opportunity for dialogue with the council.
The council took a seven-minute break reconvening at 10:45.
Review of Meeting Minutes
After review, it was moved by Joseph Richardson and seconded by Marcia Hollifield that the
minutes of the February 12, 2011 meeting be approved. The motion carried. Members Brett
Locklear, Chris Scott and Teresa Cunningham-Brown abstained from the vote.
After review and soft edit corrections, it was moved by Brett Locklear and seconded by Tiffany
Graham Locklear that the minutes of the November 19, 2011 meeting be approved with noted
corrections. The motion carried.
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Quarterly Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2012
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It was moved by Audrey Hunt and seconded by Teresa Cunningham-Brown that motions made
at the previous meeting be ratified in that the a quorum of members were not present. The
motion carried.
Indian Education Summit Planning Update
Teresa Cunningham-Brown shared information (handout) from a teleconference discussion on
January 4, 2012. Additional participants on the call were Brandi Brooks, Claire Morrow, and
Debora Williams.
The committee suggested the council schedule the summit for 2013 to allow sufficient time for
planning. It was suggested the council to present a concurrent session at the 2012
Collaborative Conference for Student Achievement (CCSA) using the theme of the annual report
as the session title and share recommendations of the report.
The summit planning committee was asked to work with tribal/community leaders and Title
VII coordinators in planning the summit and use the recommendations from the 2001 through
2011 annual reports to formulate a purpose and structure.
Brett Locklear reported that North Carolina State University expressed intent to support the
summit in 2011 but due to budgetary constraints could not provide support in 2012. The
council will need to submit a formal proposal for support of the 2013 summit. The DPI has
allocated $3,000 for the summit. Permission will be requested to use these dollars for planning
and convening focus groups.
Conflict of Interest Policy
During lunch the SBE staff attorney, Katie Cornetto, spoke to the council on the conflict of
interest policy an operations of councils under the SBE.
The council took a 15-minute break and reconvened at 12:45
Nomination of Officers
The interim chair opened the floor for nominations of officers: chair and vice chair.
Nominated for the office of chair: 1) Joseph Richardson and 2) Brett Locklear.
It was moved by Audrey Hunt and seconded by Marcia Hollifield that the nominations be closed.
Motion passed. Both candidates provided interest statements. Members voted by secret ballot.
Ballots were counted by Katie Cornetto. Joseph Richardson received three votes; Brett
Locklear, five votes. Brett Locklear abstained from voting.
The chair opened floor for nominations for vice chair. Teresa Cunningham-Brown received a
nomination. Audrey Hunt motioned to close nominations. The motion was seconded by Tiffany
Graham Locklear. Mrs. Cunningham-Brown provided an interest statement and her
appointment as vice-chair was accepted by proclamation.
Committee Reports
 NC Humanities Council Materials and Expansion/Teaching Guide – Brandi Brooks.
Guide is available on the LEARN NC site and linked to the DPI curriculum site.
 Annual Report – Brandi Brooks.
Copies of the report were mailed to council members and tribal leaders. Additional
copies were available at the meeting. The report will be presented at the Unity
Conference and at the Collaborative Conference for Student Achievement.
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Quarterly Meeting Minutes
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Update from NC Commission of Indian Affairs
Due to illness, Mickey Locklear was unable to attend the meeting. Brandi Brooks shared an
update from the commission.
 37th Annual Unity Conference, Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, Charlotte
March 8-9, 2012
o The council will present the annual report.
o Registration is $150 for two-day attendance and $75 for one-day.
o Eric Locklear suggested a listening and learning time at this conference to gather
input for the summit.
 NC Native American Youth Organization (NCNAYO) Conference
o Organizations are invited to provide support for youth to attend the conference.
A motion by Teresa Cunningham-Brown and second by Brandi Brooks that SACIE
representatives present a concurrent session at the Unity Conference and NCNAYO if funding is
available. After discussion the motion carried. The summit subcommittee will prepare the
proposals and present the sessions. Danny Bell suggested securing a booth to share Indian
education issues.
New Business
The council agreed to convene a meeting to plan a program of work, review budget, and discuss
the 2012 annual report. After discussion it was agreed the planning meeting would be Friday,
February 17 at the Education building in Raleigh.
Meeting dates scheduled in November 2011 were revisited due to conflicts with other tribal
events. The next quarterly council meeting will be May 17 in Raleigh.
A motion made by Teresa Cunningham-Brown and seconded by Joseph Richardson requested
council permission for the summit subcommittee to present a concurrent session at the 2012
CCSA. The motion passed.
The chair shared concerns expressed by constituents regarding the bylaws. Members agreed to
review the bylaws at the planning meeting on February 17. A public announcement for this
meeting will include a notification of intent for revision of by-laws.
Rita Locklear shared information from the national level on Indian education.
Motion to adjourn by Dr. Richardson seconded by Brandi Brooks at 2:45 p.m.
State Advisory Council on Indian Education
Quarterly Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2012
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