After a tumultuous summer, Rapid City Area Schools has a new acting superintendent. Assistant superintendent Cory Strasser assumed the role just days before the school year began.
Strasser assumed the role of acting superintendent following the firing of Nicole Swigart this summer connected to alleged comments made during a civil rights investigation regarding indigenous students.
He said he’s ready to get moving as students return to classrooms.
“It’s definitely an adjustment trying to navigate a different role at the start of a school year and understand the specific responsibilities that I need to work on to help keep the district moving in a good direction,” Strasser said.
He said now it’s time for the district to focus on its core tenants.
“We have our strategic plan, we have our five pillars, and the work that goes into those pillars is what we can always reference and should be at the top of our mind no matter what’s going on," Strasser said. "That’s something that I think helps us maintain our focus.”
Those pillars, in brief, are excellence in learning and communication, commitment to equity and service, exploration of opportunity, readiness in collaborating, and responsibility for self and community.
Now, Strasser said it’s time to put those pillars into action on the ground.
“Probably the biggest thing is more direct work with the school board and preparation for school board meetings and different community-based meetings that I typically would as an assistant superintendent, and having good communication across is what I’m trying to focus on,” Strasser said.
It is currently unclear when a permanent replacement will be named for the role.