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Board revives invocation practice; one member publicly urges clarity and inclusiveness
Summary
The board reinstated invocation on the agenda; a board member said she was uncomfortable and asked the district to make the invocation policy and sign-up process clearer so all faiths (or none) feel welcome to participate.
The Rapid City Area Schools Board of Education reinstated an invocation on the agenda and clarified the sign-up process after a board member raised concerns about inclusivity.
Board member Christine Stephenson said she was "not completely comfortable" with having invocations on the agenda and asked the board to be transparent about how people sign up to give an invocation. "I'm weary of separation of church and state and also of just trying to make sure that everybody feels that they are, welcome in this district no matter what their beliefs are," she said.
The board president and staff explained the district's invocation policy and said anyone interested in providing an invocation may contact the district secretary to request a slot. The president noted the board approved having invocations when she first joined and that the policy is open to people of any faith or denomination; she said the practice returns only if community members request it.
Board members asked that the district publish clearer procedural guidance (how to request a spot and whether a waiting list exists) so the public can find the policy and understand the process. No formal policy change was recorded; the discussion focused on transparency and ensuring the policy is applied without favoring any particular faith.
What’s next: Staff will follow up by confirming the invocation-policy posting procedure and ensuring contact instructions for the district secretary are available to the public.
