Board approves human-resources addendum that includes superintendent appointment in 6–1 roll call

The Rapid City Area School District board approved an addendum to the human-resources agenda item that included the district’s new superintendent appointment, passing the item on a 6–1 roll call.

The addendum was moved, seconded and carried after a roll call by Shirley that recorded Troy Carr, Jamie Clapham, Christine Stephenson, Donna Moore, Michael Birkland and Katie Urban voting yes and Walt Swan voting no. President Troy Carr announced, “Motion carries 6 to 1.”

Board member Walt Swan objected during discussion and said the superintendent appointment should have been considered separately. “I think she should have been a separate vote,” Swan said during the addendum discussion. Swan also offered brief remarks thanking departing principals and staff listed in the addendum.

Board member Christine Stephenson spoke in support of the appointee, saying the candidate had applied for the position, showed interest and was highly qualified. “I think Dr. Thompson’s going to be an extraordinary leader for this district,” Stephenson said.

The item was part of a larger consent/addendum packet presented at the meeting. Board members debated procedure before the roll-call vote but did not divide the superintendent appointment into its own motion.

The vote finalizes personnel changes listed under the addendum. The board did not separately announce an effective date for the superintendent appointment during the public portion of the meeting.

The board moved on to additional business after the vote.