SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The superintendent of Rapid City Area Schools, Nicole Swigart, was fired by the school board Tuesday in a 6-1 vote.
In July, Swigart was placed on a 30-day-leave for “discriminatory statements” she made to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights officials in its 2023 investigation of the school district, the school board said in a news release in July.
Board member Donna Moore was the only no vote against terminating Swigart. Board members Walt Swan, Jamie Clapham, Christine Stephenson and Katy Urban along with board chairman Troy Carr voted in favor.
Assistant superintendent, Dr. Cory Strasser, will act as superintendent and assistant superintendent. There will be an immediate job seach for an interim supertintendent for the 2024-2025 school year, Carr said. The search for a replacement will also start this school year.
The decision was made after multiple audience members spoke in favor of Swigart. Several audience members shouted “shame” on the school board after the decision.
At least two board members, Birkeland and Urban, said because of legal reasons, the board could not share all the details involved in its decision.
Clapham said through tears after the decision that she respected and acknowledged Swigart’s constributions to the district. Her support to terminate Swigart was based on integrity, authenticity and what is in best interest of Rapid City schools and its 12,000 students and staff, she said.
This was “an extremely difficult decision,” Stephenson said.
Carr also cited positive work by Swigart in his comments after the decision. “I too agree that this day, this moment, has been very difficult for me, and it hasn’t been easy,” Carr said.
The six board members who voted for Swigart’s termination said the administration and staff will continue the good work being done in the school district.
Swigart replaced Lori Simon who resigned as superintendent at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Swigart was named the interim superintendent in 2022. She was approved as superintendent and chief executive officer in June of 2023. Swigart has more than 30 years of experience with the school district.
