STURGIS, S.D. – Meade 46-1 School Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt has sent out a letter to parents of students at the Sturgis Elementary School after an announcement by a local church organization planned to hold a prayer gathering at the school’s flag pole on Wednesday.

Open Bible Church in Sturgis is arranging the voluntary gathering at the flag pole at 7:00 a.m.

Wormstadt says the event is not a school-sponsored activity and is organized, led and sponsored entirely by the outside group. He says no student is expected, encouraged, or required to attend.

When asked about the group holding the event on school property, Wormstadt says the answer reflects a balance the First Amendment requires of every public school district. He says the Free Exercise Clause of protects the right of community members to gather and engage in religious expression, while the Establishment Clause prohibits the district itself from sponsoring or endorsing that expression.

He says the District satisfies both by treating this gathering exactly as it would any other outside community group requesting the use of school grounds. Wormstadt says Meade 46-1 neither promotes this event nor restricts it, because doing either would run afoul of the Constitution.

Under South Dakota law (SDCL 13-24-20), community use of school facilities is permitted as long as it does not interfere with school activities, and the District has confirmed that this gathering, ending at 7:20 and before the start of the school day, meets that standard.

Any staff member who personally chooses to attend does so strictly as a private citizen, on their own time and in their own capacity, not as a representative of the school or the District.

Wormstadt says you may see flyers, social media posts, or other announcements about this gathering. He says the group organizing it is free to advertise its own event, and the District has no authority to prevent or limit that advertising. However, any such materials must make clear that the gathering is privately organized and is not sponsored, endorsed, or issued by the District.

You may view Mr. Wormstadt’s Letter below: