Story Created:
Aug 25, 2008 at 8:31 PM CST
Story Updated:
Aug 25, 2008 at 9:30 PM CST
Last week we told you about a controversial anti-abortion ad that appeared in a Sioux Falls school directory. The school district didn't publish the directory but it received plenty of complaints and praise about the ad. Monday night the school board talked about it for the first time.
This Sioux Falls School Board meeting was the first official chance the public had to address the board since the controversial ad came to light last week. And there were a few who had plenty to say to the board.
The ad appeared in a directory published by the Shopping News with school information provided by the district. The Shopping News also sold ads in the directory. And one ad, saying abortions hurt women caused all the commotion.
Before anyone from the public spoke Board President Darin Daby addressed the issue. "As a board we failed to anticipate all of the possible outcomes on the sale of advertising and partnerships that are viewed as district publications. We understand that it is our responsibility that all of the information put in front of our students is appropriate."
Daby went on to say the district will reevaluate the policy of distributing information.
Reaction to that announcement was mixed. Kimberly Martinez, Executive Director of the Alpha Center said, "I hope the Sioux Falls School District will see this for what it is. It's an attempt to bully you in an effort to change your policy."
The Executive Director of the NARAL Pro-Choice South Dakota, Casey Murschel also addressed the board. "It isn't just an ad, and it isn't the way we've always done it. So I'm here today first to say thank you for the response that you've had."
The board said it will ask the school district administration to bring forward a recommendation about how information that had been published in the directory should be distributed in the future.
User Agreement