RAPID CITY, S.D. – In an emotionally charged meeting, the Rapid City Area Schools Board of Education voted 6-1 Tuesday night to terminate the contract of Superintendent Nicole Swigart.
The termination comes after Swigart served a 30 day suspension for alleged comments made about Native American students and their families. Swigart was quoted in an investigation as saying certain Native American tribes do not commonly value education and inform their students that they don’t need to graduate. Furthermore, the investigation alleged Swigart maintained students operating on “Indian time” is a challenge for the district.
RELATED: Rapid City Superintendent Placed On Leave
Following an investigation earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, Swigart was placed on leave and required to take cultural competency training. At that time, the Rapid city Area Schools Board of Education issued an apology for alleged remarks made by Swigart. It also issued a statement maintaining the district was confident in Swigart’s ability to lead the district following her leave.
It’s not clear what has transpired since that time to persuade school board members to change their minds.
Just over 30 individuals made comment in Tuesday’s public meeting. Many of those that spoke did so in support of Swigart.
Swigart was the first to speak. She denied making derogatory comments in an emotional five-minute address.
Christine Stephenson stated that the board did not come to this decision lightly calling it “gut wrenching.” Though she added that the Board was not there to “make easy decisions.”
Swigart’s termination will become effective Friday, August 16th and current Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Cory Strass, will act as interim Superintendent.
