The Port Angeles School Board accepted an updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe covering the 2023–25 period, district staff said Sept. 25. The MOU formalizes collaboration on cultural instruction, student services and shared data for federal funding programs, staff and tribal representatives said.

Carmen, speaking for tribal-district collaboration, said the district and tribe meet every two years to review the MOU and ensure obligations are being met. She said the document “is always such a wonderful thing to keep closing the education gap, making sure that we're teaching culture history in school via STI or since time immemorial.” Carmen noted the MOU includes responsibilities for the district and tribe to share demographic information needed for federal Impact Aid and the Johnson O'Malley program.

Staff explained that Impact Aid is federal funding that compensates districts for tax-exempt federal land holdings, and Johnson O'Malley is federal tribal funding the district uses for services including ceremonies and activities for Native American students; Carmen said the Johnson O'Malley support extends to Native American students districtwide rather than only to a single tribal group.

Board members noted the MOU has historic roots and praised past community leaders who laid groundwork for district–tribe collaboration. Carmen confirmed that the tribal chair had already signed the updated agreement. A board member moved to accept the MOU; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

No budgetary changes were proposed at the meeting; the MOU provides a framework for ongoing collaboration and future joint meetings, including a joint district–tribal council meeting planned for November to review data and progress.