(a) When a school district to be affected by a contract(s) for the education of Indians has a local school board composed of a majority of Indians, the local school board may act as the Indian Education Committee; otherwise, the parents of Indian children may elect an Indian Education Committee from among their number or a Tribal governing body(ies) of the Indian Tribe(s) affected by the contract(s) may specify one of the following entities to serve as the Indian Education Committee:

(1) A Local Indian Committee or Committees; or

(2) An Indian Advisory School Board or Boards.

(b) The Tribal governing body(ies) of the Indian Tribe(s) affected by the contract(s) may specify one of the entities in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section at its discretion if the Indian Education Committee was established prior to January 4, 1975.

The Indian Education Committee and its members must establish procedures under which the Committee serves. Such procedures must be set forth in the Committee's organizational documents and by-laws.

(a) Each Committee must file a copy of its organizational documents and by-laws with the BIE Director, together with a list of its officers and members.

(b) The existence of an Indian Education Committee may not limit the continuing participation of the rest of the Indian community in all aspects of programs contracted under this part.

Consistent with the purpose of the Indian Education Committee, each such Committee is vested with the authority to undertake the activities in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section.

(a) Participate fully in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of all programs, including both supplemental and operational support, conducted under a contract or contracts pursuant to this part. Such participation includes further authority to:

(1) Recommend curricula, including texts, materials, and teaching methods to be used in the contracted program or programs;

(2) Approve budget preparation and execution;

(3) Recommend criteria for employment in the program;

(4) Nominate a reasonable number of qualified prospective educational programmatic staff members from which the contractor would be required to select; and

(5) Evaluate staff performance and program results and recommend appropriate action to the contractor.

(b) Approve and disapprove all programs to be contracted under this part. All programs contracted require the prior approval of the appropriate Indian Education Committee.

(c) Secure a copy of the negotiated contract(s) that includes the program(s) approved by the Indian Education Committee.

(d) Recommend cancellation or suspension of a contract(s) under § 273.194.

The organizational papers and by-laws of the Indian Education Committee may include additional powers and duties that would permit the Committee to:

(a) Participate in negotiations concerning all contracts;

(b) Make an annual assessment of the learning needs of Indian children in the community affected;

(c) Have access to all reports, evaluations, surveys, and other program and budget related documents determined necessary by the Committee to carry out its responsibilities, subject only to the provisions of § 273.180;

(d) Request periodic reports and evaluations regarding the Indian education program;

(e) Establish a local grievance policy and procedures related to programs in the education plan;

(f) Meet regularly with the professional staff serving Indian children and with the local education agency;

(g) Hold committee meetings on a regular basis which are open to the public; and

(h) Have such additional powers as are consistent with these regulations.