Dangerous tribal elementary school shows how bad the feds treat Native American children

There comes a point that people need to realize that the Bureau of Indian Education is a failure and there needs to be changes. The Havasupai Elementary School at Lake Havasu City, Arizona is dangerous to the students, which was brought up in the lawsuit Stephen C., et al.v. Bureau of Indian Education, et al. Now there is a Department of Interior Office of Inspector General report that shows how dangerous it is for all to see.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2024/11/08/bie-inspection-report-finds-numerous-faults-at-havasupai-school/76064945007/

The really sad part is, the principal of the school was asked by the news organization Arizona Central to comment and was directed to the BIE. It seems that the administrators of these schools are wanting to censor themselves instead of protecting their students. Yes, we need to worry about our local education, but Native American children need more voices protecting them, it seems.

Remember, the past 4 years, Deb Haaland was the Secretary of Interior. She was celebrated because she is Native American. She was born in Arizona, raised and represented New Mexico, so should understand what is happening there.

https://www.doi.gov/secretary-deb-haaland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deb_Haaland

OIG Report

https://www.doioig.gov/sites/default/files/2021-migration/Final%20Inspection%20Report_%20Havasupai%20School%20Inspection.pdf

The findings of this report are sickening, especially when considering this is what children are dealing with.

We found that Havasupai Elementary School did not ensure deficiencies were resolved timely. Specifically, the school had critical and significant deficiencies—including repeat deficiencies—from the last three annual safety and health inspections that remained unaddressed, and of those we reviewed that were corrected, none were completed within the school’s established abatement plan timelines. For example, 30 percent of the fiscal year 2023 critical deficiencies remained open and in need of correction, despite the abatement periods having expired. In addition, we identified other safety and health concerns that need attention, such as an unreliable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and a roof in poor condition. We also found that the school did not implement a comprehensive emergency management program, did not develop a security plan, did not train staff, and did not conduct all required emergency drills. Further, we found data reliability issues in BIE’s facility management system; for example, using statistical sampling, we projected that 48 percent of closed work orders were closed in error. Lastly, the school has experienced severe staffing shortages—approximately 53 percent of Havasupai Elementary School’s positions were vacant as of December 2023; these positions need to be filled to contribute to a safer school environment and reestablish the use of unoccupied building space.

Fire prevention plans were not in writing, contrary to Federal regulations, which require that “[a] fire prevention plan must be in writing, be kept in the workplace, and be made available to employees for review.” Having a clear fire prevention plan in place and ensuring that staff are aware of it and their responsibilities helps ensure that they are in the best position to help keep students safe if there is an emergency. This deficiency was identified in September 2019, had an abatement period of 30 days, and as of October 12, 2023, had not been corrected.

There were no procedures to control flammable and combustible waste, contrary to Federal regulations, which require a fire prevention plan to include “[p]rocedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials.” These materials must be handled appropriately to minimize any risk of fire, which can damage school property as well as potentially cause injury to students and staff. This deficiency was identified in March 2023, had an abatement period of 30 days, and as of October 12, 2023, had not been corrected.

The playground surface did not meet minimum specifications to reduce the risk of head injuries due to falls. Given the remote location of the school and limited medical services, it is particularly important that the school ensure compliance with standards that are intended to minimize students’ risk of injury. This deficiency was identified in August 2021, had an abatement period of 180 days, and as of October 12, 2023, continued to be a safety hazard.

Would you want your kids to deal with this?

The Lawsuit

https://www.bie.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/stephen%20settlement%20agreement%209.24.20%20FINAL%20%28fully%20executed%29.pdf

This lawsuit basically ruled that no blame was brought, but that there will be neutral monitors brought in to start working on a way to fix problems, specifically for those with disabilities. The BIE has to pay for everything, but their history of doing that is a joke. The monitors will have to develop plans, but history of failures should make people wonder if this will happen.

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