Rapid City Area Schools District

10/06/2026

Please join us in welcoming our 2026–27 Student School Board Representatives! 🎉

We’re excited to have Hope Malone (Rapid City Alternative Academy), Alexandra Braun (Stevens High School), and Macey Duffy (Central High School) representing student voices at the school board table this year.

Student voice matters, and we’re looking forward to hearing their perspectives, ideas and experiences throughout the school year. Welcome to the team, Hope, Alexandra and Macey!

10/05/2026

Bond Referendum Information Session This Thursday!
Join Rapid City Area Schools this Thursday, October 8, for a Bond Referendum Information Session at Robbinsdale Elementary.

Thursday, October 8
6:00–7:30 PM
Robbinsdale Elementary

Come learn more about the proposed $107 million bond referendum, the projects included, costs and tax impact, and ask questions.

Learn more anytime at rcas.org/page/bond-information.

10/02/2026

What would the proposed RCAS bond address?

The proposed $107 million bond referendum includes $12 million for an addition and renovation at South Park Elementary. The project will update the existing school, address space needs, and eliminate the use of portable classrooms. Rapid City Area Schools
Proposed improvements include:
- Bringing all students under one roof by eliminating portable classrooms
- Expanding space to meet current enrollment needs
- Improving special education spaces
- Adding air conditioning and efficient heating
- Improving accessibility to meet ADA requirements
- Adding a secure entry
- Helping balance enrollment across nearby schools in Rapid City Area Schhools

The South Park project is one part of the proposed $107 million RCAS bond referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Learn more about the proposed projects, costs, tax information, and FAQs at: rcas.org/page/bond-information

09/30/2026

Today, RCAS district leadership presented an update on the 2023–2028 Strategic Plan to the RCAS Board of Education, highlighting measurable progress across key district priorities.

The annual strategic planning and school improvement update shows encouraging movement in student achievement and behavior, staff recruitment and retention, facilities, and community engagement.

A few highlights:

• Grades 2–8 math benchmark results increased by more than 6 percentage points
• Grades 2–8 reading benchmark results increased by more than 7 percentage points
• 56% of students met or exceeded benchmark in both math and reading
• Grades 9–10 average PreACT composite increased from 17.25 to 18.1

Disclaimer: The data presented is based on assessments used by Rapid City Area Schools (RCAS) to measure student progress. These assessments are separate from the state-required assessments reported on the South Dakota School Report Card.

• August student referrals decreased 40% and September referrals decreased 38% compared with the same months last year
• Suspensions decreased 36%
• Employee turnover decreased from 18.93% to 16.43%
• Approximately $8 million was invested in 28 facility projects during FY26
• RCAS now has 324 district partners

There is also more work ahead. Districtwide attendance remains an area of focus, along with continuing to strengthen student belonging and engagement.

“These results belong to our students, teachers, support staff, principals, district leaders, families, Board of Education and community partners,” Superintendent Dr. Jami Jo Thompson said. “Much more work lies ahead, but the data shows RCAS is moving forward.”

The Strategic Plan keeps our work focused around five pillars: Students, Staff, Community, Facilities and Communication—and helps us measure both where we are making progress and where we need to keep improving.

09/29/2026

We’re excited to see what this year’s Student School Board brings to the table! 🙌

Student voice matters. Our students have unique perspectives, ideas and experiences that help us better understand what’s happening in our schools and what matters most to them.

We’re looking forward to hearing their ideas, learning from their experiences and seeing the impact they make throughout the year.

RAPID CITY, SD – On Monday night, the 17-member Rapid City Areas Schools Student School Board met on the second floor of the Rapid City Education Center.

09/25/2026

What would the proposed RCAS bond address?

The proposed $107 million bond referendum includes $3 million for safety and security improvements at Black Hawk Elementary, Grandview Elementary, Knollwood Elementary, Southwest Middle School and West Middle School.

Because of the layout of these buildings, creating secure entrances requires additional infrastructure changes—not just adding or replacing a door.

Proposed improvements include:

• Secure entrances to better control visitor access
• Interior classroom door locks
• Expanded camera systems
• Infrastructure changes to create more consistent safety measures across the district

These projects are part of the $107 million RCAS bond referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Learn more about the proposed projects, costs, tax information and FAQs at rcas.org/page/bond-information

09/23/2026

We’re looking for local professionals to help inspire the next generation at the 8th Grade Career Fair!

Join us at The Monument on November 17 or 18 to connect with local 8th graders as they explore future careers. This is a great opportunity to share what you do, answer students’ questions, and give them a real-world look at the many career paths available right here in our community.

Career Fair Times:
November 17 | 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
November 18 | 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Monument | Rapid City

Interested in participating? Sign up here:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=U9RY82ZZnUWFokyYFWxUZaN3Y6Y5PQVMsHPHB7cSOwxUNEs1Tk9XRVpSQ0tVSVdUQU5FSzJKUzNTNC4u&origin=QRCode

Come share your career, your experience, and what you wish you knew when you were in 8th grade!

09/21/2026

What would the proposed RCAS bond address?

One area included in the proposed $107 million bond referendum is $32 million for HVAC and energy improvements at Horace Mann Elementary, Meadowbrook Elementary, and North Middle School.

Many school heating, cooling, and ventilation systems are nearing the end of their useful life. The proposed work focuses on updating existing buildings and systems before aging equipment requires more significant repairs or replacement.

The proposed HVAC projects include:

• Replacing aging heating, cooling, and ventilation systems
• Improving classroom air quality and ventilation
• Providing more consistent heating and cooling
• Installing modern controls to improve system performance
• Improving energy efficiency
• Completing related lighting and ceiling upgrades as part of the work

These projects are part of the $107 million RCAS bond referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Learn more about the proposed projects, costs, tax information, and FAQs at https://www.rcas.org/page/bond-information

09/19/2026

We had SO much fun at the Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival! 🍂

It was a great day to connect with our community, celebrate all the great things happening across Rapid City Area Schools, and share information about the upcoming bond referendum.

From student success stories to the amazing things happening in our schools, there’s a lot to be proud of!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hi, ask questions, and show some RCAS love!

09/19/2026

Kicking off Pumpkin Festival with our drum-line!!