Rep. Dusty Johnson
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) seeks to advance bipartisan legislation that strengthens teacher retention in tribally controlled schools and helps ensure educators receive equitable, high-quality employment benefits.
The congressman on March 3 cosponsored the Parity for Tribal Educators Act, H.R. 7781, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) to provide that employees of tribally controlled schools are eligible to receive a pension under the Federal Employees Retirement System and to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, providing teachers at tribally controlled schools the same federal retirement benefits that teachers at Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools receive.
“Tribal educators are doing the same work as their [BIE] counterparts. They should have access to the same retirement programs,” Rep. Johnson said. “The Parity for Tribal Educators Act fixes that disparity and would help recruit and retain tribal educators. I’m grateful for Rep. Vasquez’s partnership on this issue to improve the quality of education in tribal schools across America.”
H.R. 7781 has garnered support from several organizations, including the National Indian Education Association, the National Congress of American Indians, and the Oglala Lakota Nation Education Coalition.
“This bill is about doing right by our tribal communities, overcoming recruitment and retention issues, and making sure every child in New Mexico has a fair shot at success,” said Rep. Vasquez. “Giving tribal teachers the benefits they deserve helps keep tribal schools staffed with quality educators — the type of quality educators who help tribal students unlock their brightest futures possible.”