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Board sends Basic Instructional Program policy back to committee after debate over state‑mandated changes
Summary
The board voted 4–2 to return the Basic Instructional Program (IGA) policy to the policy committee for revisions after members raised concerns about new state‑required language—specifically a required prenatal human growth and development video and accreditation wording—wanting clearer instructional emphasis restored before final approval.
The Rapid City Area Schools Board voted to send the Basic Instructional Program policy (IGA) back to the policy committee for more work after several board members raised concerns about recent, legislatively driven changes to the policy language.
Board members said the updated language—confirmed during the meeting as matching state statute—includes a specific requirement to show a prenatal human growth and development video and other accreditation‑related language that they felt shifted the policy’s tone away from basic instruction toward character development topics. Several members said they were uncomfortable approving the rewritten policy without a clearer explanation of its legislative origins and without restoring sections they said described core instructional priorities, such as reading and math skill development.
Christine Stephenson moved to send the policy back to the policy committee and to bring a revised draft for first reading at the next business meeting. The motion passed in a roll call vote 4–2: Troy Carr and Angela Rafferty voted no; Jamie Clapham, Katie Urban, Donna Moore and Christine Stephenson voted yes. Board members discussed scheduling committee work to ensure that the revised policy could return for first and second readings before the start of school if needed.
Dr. Thompson and board members also noted that accreditation requirements drove some of the statutory language and that CPR instruction is a separate legislative requirement the district already meets. The board did not reject the legislative changes but sought to reconcile statutory requirements with a policy that clearly centers basic instructional priorities.
The administration will convene the policy committee to review and edit the document and return an updated version for board consideration in July so the policy can be in place before the school year if possible.
