April 2, 2026
The Rapid City Area Schools Board of Education will vote on a proposed bond referendum at its April 7 meeting, following the district’s development and presentation of a comprehensive facilities plan.
The proposed $107 million bond focuses on improving school safety, addressing aging building systems, supporting responsible growth, and creating long-term cost savings across the district.
The plan prioritizes upgrades to existing schools while also addressing areas of community growth. Key components of the proposal include:
• $32 million in HVAC and building system upgrades to replace aging heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, improve air quality, and reduce long-term energy costs
• $3 million in safety and security improvements across schools, including secure entrances, updated locking systems, and expanded camera coverage
• A $12 million addition and renovation at South Park Elementary to eliminate portable classrooms, improve accessibility, and modernize learning spaces
• Construction of a new $40 million elementary school in South Rapid City to address enrollment shifts and reduce overcrowding
• $20 million in safety and functional improvements at Stevens High School to create a more secure and connected campus
“We’re excited to bring this forward after a thoughtful and thorough community process,” said Superintendent of RCAS, Dr. Jami Jo Thompson. “This proposal reflects the priorities we heard and our shared commitment to supporting students and staff.”
District leaders emphasize that the bond reflects input from the community and focuses on addressing the district’s most urgent facility needs in a fiscally responsible way.
“We took community feedback seriously and made important adjustments—lowering the overall investment while expanding the reach of this plan to more schools,” said Coy Sasse, CFOO of RCAS. “It’s a responsible approach that maximizes impact for our students and taxpayers.”
The district identified several key reasons for acting now, including aging infrastructure nearing the end of its lifespan, evolving school safety expectations, shifting student population patterns, and rising energy costs. Addressing these needs proactively is expected to reduce long-term expenses and avoid more costly emergency repairs.
Community members are encouraged to attend the April 7 meeting, tune in online via the livestream at https://youtube.com/live/HAnm_iV3Uh0, or follow district social media for updates and additional information.
The proposed $107 million bond focuses on improving school safety, addressing aging building systems, supporting responsible growth, and creating long-term cost savings across the district.
The plan prioritizes upgrades to existing schools while also addressing areas of community growth. Key components of the proposal include:
• $32 million in HVAC and building system upgrades to replace aging heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, improve air quality, and reduce long-term energy costs
• $3 million in safety and security improvements across schools, including secure entrances, updated locking systems, and expanded camera coverage
• A $12 million addition and renovation at South Park Elementary to eliminate portable classrooms, improve accessibility, and modernize learning spaces
• Construction of a new $40 million elementary school in South Rapid City to address enrollment shifts and reduce overcrowding
• $20 million in safety and functional improvements at Stevens High School to create a more secure and connected campus
“We’re excited to bring this forward after a thoughtful and thorough community process,” said Superintendent of RCAS, Dr. Jami Jo Thompson. “This proposal reflects the priorities we heard and our shared commitment to supporting students and staff.”
District leaders emphasize that the bond reflects input from the community and focuses on addressing the district’s most urgent facility needs in a fiscally responsible way.
“We took community feedback seriously and made important adjustments—lowering the overall investment while expanding the reach of this plan to more schools,” said Coy Sasse, CFOO of RCAS. “It’s a responsible approach that maximizes impact for our students and taxpayers.”
The district identified several key reasons for acting now, including aging infrastructure nearing the end of its lifespan, evolving school safety expectations, shifting student population patterns, and rising energy costs. Addressing these needs proactively is expected to reduce long-term expenses and avoid more costly emergency repairs.
Community members are encouraged to attend the April 7 meeting, tune in online via the livestream at https://youtube.com/live/HAnm_iV3Uh0, or follow district social media for updates and additional information.