The South Dakota Open Meetings Commission has dismissed allegations that the Rapid City Area School Board violated transparency laws in its termination of former Superintendent Nicole Swigart. Swigart, who was let go in August 2024 following a federal report citing alleged insensitive remarks about Native American students—claims she denies—had filed a complaint accusing the board of making decisions illegally in executive session. Commissioners ruled the board acted within legal bounds.
In a separate case, the commission found the Green Valley Sanitary District in Pennington County violated open meetings laws. The board failed to cite a legal reason before entering executive session on April 10, 2024, and improperly stopped citizen Steve Myers from recording a public meeting on May 8.
Despite the district’s attorney claiming the board acted in good faith, commissioners concluded both actions breached state law. Written reprimands will be issued.
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