§2006 Bureau of Indian Affairs Education Functions

Summary

Gives the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs the job of setting policy and watching over Bureau-run Indian education programs and how federal money is spent. The Assistant Secretary must do this work through the Director of the Office of Indian Education Programs. Within 180 days after January 8, 2002, the Director must supervise all staff who are directly involved in running education services, including custodial, maintenance, contracting, procurement, and finance people. The Assistant Secretary must also move procurement and school-operation functions to the Director within that same 180-day period. Local education work at the Area or Agency level can be put under contract under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act unless the Secretary says the work is an inherently Federal function. The Director’s staff must monitor and evaluate Bureau education programs, handle personnel and staffing support, and give technical help in areas like buying and contracting, budgeting, staffing, curriculum, and school facilities. The Assistant Secretary must include in the annual budget a plan for building schools (under section 2005(c)), for setting project priorities and repairs, and for capital improvements over the next five years. The Assistant Secretary must also set up an operation and maintenance program that decides how much each school needs, treats all Bureau-funded schools the same, gives funds to local education officers, sets priorities for repairs after local meetings with school representatives, and supports routine preventive maintenance. Local maintenance supervisors must carry out the plans, and no funds can be spent unless the education line officer is assured maintenance will be done. The Director must make rules for accepting gifts and bequests, monitor how they are used, and report to Congress unless the gift is $5,000 or less. Functions means powers and duties.