RAPID CITY, SD (KOTA) – The Rapid City Area Schools Board of Education voted six to one to fire District School Superintendent Nicole Swigart at a special meeting Tuesday night.
A report from the Office of Civil Rights alleges that Swigart made derogatory remarks about Native Americans. Donna Moore was the only board member to vote against Swigart’s firing.
Prior to the vote, 32 members of the public addressed the board, of which 25 supported Swigart – many of them current and former Rapid City Area Schools employees who praised Swigart’s character and leadership.
Swigart was the first to speak. In her emotional five-minute speech, she denied having made derogatory remarks.
“I am sorry that these alleged derogatory comments attributed to me have harmed our community,” Swigart said. “But I did not make those comments and I should have fought harder to make that clear.”
Seven people spoke in favor of Swigart’s firing, including NDN Collective Organizer Taylor Gunhammer. Gunhammer also criticized those who spoke positively about Swigart.
“Many of these people feel that they fear a climate where you can’t treat Native Americans however you want forever and ever,” Gunhammer said. “It feels like a fear of being next.”
After 90 minutes of public hearings, a five-minute recess, and a 10-minute board meeting in which board members left the room and talked among themselves, the board voted to fire Swigart. Swigart left the meeting in tears, accompanied by dozens of her supporters, one of whom shouted to the Board of Education, “How many of you are bought by NDN? How many of you? All of you. Every single one of you.”
The board members were also visibly emotional after the vote.
“This is probably the most difficult situation I have ever experienced in this office,” said Education Committee First Vice President Jamie Clapham, wiping tears from her eyes.
Swigart’s dismissal will take effect on Friday, August 16, and Deputy Superintendent Cory Strasser will take over as interim superintendent.
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