The proposed $107 million bond focuses on school safety, aging building systems, responsible growth, and long-term cost savings across the district. This plan protects students, improves aging schools, and prepares for responsible growth while making the most of taxpayer dollars. This bond referendum allows the district to implement the master plan more quickly, improving facilities for all students and staff.

• Focuses on safety, efficiency, and responsible growth

• Invests in existing schools before building new ones

• Addresses aging infrastructure proactively

• Reduces long-term operating and maintenance costs

• Improves student safety across all grade levels

• Supports growing areas without overbuilding

• Balances needs across the entire district—not just one area

  KEY TAKEAWAY: This bond plan protects students, improves aging schools, and prepares for growth in a responsible way while making the most of taxpayer dollars.

Priority HVAC Upgrades ($32 M)

Many school heating, cooling, and ventilation systems are nearing the end of their useful life. These upgrades focus on fixing what the district already owns before emergency breakdowns become more disruptive and expensive.

Schools Included: Horace Mann Elementary, Meadowbrook Elementary, and North Middle School

What voters need to know:

• Fixes aging systems before costly failures happen

• Improves classroom air quality for healthier students and staff

• Reduces long-term energy costs through modern, efficient systems

• Replaces outdated controls with smart technology for better performance

• Ensures consistent heating and cooling in every classroom

• Extends the life of existing buildings instead of replacing them

• Upgrades lighting and ceilings as part of the work—avoiding wasted effort later

KEY TAKEAWAY: This is about fixing what we already own, making schools healthier, and avoiding more expensive emergency repairs later.

Priority Safety & Security Upgrades ($3 M)

Safety upgrades would bring older schools closer to modern security expectations and create a more consistent level of protection across the district.

Schools Included: Black Hawk Elementary, Grandview Elementary, Knollwood Elementary, Southwest Middle School and West Middle School

What voters need to know:

• Creates secure front entrances so all visitors are screened

• Allows classrooms to lock from the inside during emergencies

• Expands camera systems for better monitoring and response

• Brings older schools up to modern safety expectations

• Focuses on prevention, not reaction

KEY TAKEAWAY: Every school deserves the same level of safety—this brings consistency across the district.

South Park Elementary Addition & Renovation ($12 M)

This project would improve and expand South Park Elementary so it can safely and efficiently serve students in a modern learning environment.

What voters need to know:

• Brings all students under one roof—eliminates portable classrooms

• Expands space to meet current enrollment needs

• Improves special education spaces for inclusive learning

• Updates an older building to modern standards

• Adds air conditioning and efficient heating

• Improves accessibility to meet ADA requirements

• Includes secure entry for student safety

• Helps balance enrollment across nearby schools

KEY TAKEAWAY: This upgrades an existing school to safely and efficiently serve today’s students—no more temporary classrooms.

New Elementary at the Parkview Property ($40 M)

A new elementary school is proposed in south Rapid City, where student growth is already occurring and surrounding schools are feeling increased enrollment pressure.

What voters need to know:

• Builds a school where growth is already happening in east Rapid City

• Reduces overcrowding in surrounding schools

• Designed for walkability—fewer long bus rides for students

• Built with modern safety, efficiency, and learning standards

• Allows the district to retire Robbinsdale Elementary

• Helps control long-term transportation costs

KEY TAKEAWAY: This puts a school where students already live—reducing crowding, travel time, and future costs.

Stevens High School Safety Improvements ($20 M)

This project improves safety and function at Stevens by redesigning key parts of the existing campus.

What voters need to know:

• Creates a single, secure main entrance to control access

• Connects disconnected areas of the building for safer movement

• Keeps students inside during passing periods—reducing risk

• Reduces the number of exterior doors to improve security

• Improves supervision and visibility throughout the school

• Modernizes a large campus to today’s safety expectations

KEY TAKEAWAY: This redesign improves safety without building a new high school—protecting students while maximizing what we already have.