Sup. Heidi Wegleitner, 2nd District, has introduced the removal of a pre-meeting pledge as well as the word “prayer” from the board’s rules, which are undergoing a biannual redraft. The board’s executive committee is set to consider Wegleitner’s proposals at a meeting on Thursday, although the final say would rest with newly elected supervisors after the April 5 election.

“It just doesn’t feel like it’s appropriate for us to be doing, when in a pluralistic society we want to be inclusive and representative,” Wegleitner said in an interview. “At the end of the day, I think it’s divisive.”…

Wegleitner, who represents Madison’s Near East Side, likened opposition to saying the pledge to professional athletes who take a knee in support of racial justice movements when the national anthem is played at sporting events.

“There’s other ways to show community and shared values,” Wegleitner said.