RAPID CITY, S.D. – Voters have approved the Rapid City Area Schools District 51-4 bond issue, giving the district the support needed to move forward with more than $107 million in school improvement projects.
With all 47 precincts reporting, the bond measure received 67.7 percent support, with 21,316 voters voting in favor and 10,191 against. The measure required a 60 percent supermajority to pass and comfortably exceeded that threshold.
The bond will fund a variety of projects across the district, including HVAC and energy-efficiency upgrades at Horace Mann Elementary, Meadowbrook Elementary, and North Middle School. Plans also call for safety and security improvements at several schools, renovations and an addition at South Park Elementary, and construction of a new elementary school on the Parkview property.
Additional funding will support security upgrades at Stevens High School, as well as furnishings and equipment for the projects.
The vote marks a significant milestone for Rapid City Area Schools. The district has not successfully passed a bond issue since 1976. A larger $189.5 million bond proposal in 2020 received majority support but failed to reach the required 60 percent approval threshold.
Tuesday’s outcome provides district leaders with voter approval to move ahead with long-term facility improvements, school safety enhancements, and plans to address future growth within the district.
The results remain unofficial until they are canvassed and certified by election officials.
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