The Rapid City Area Schools Board of Education is set to vote April 7 on a proposed $107 million bond tied to a districtwide facilities plan aimed at improving safety, addressing aging infrastructure and managing continued growth.
A major portion of the proposal includes $32 million for heating, cooling and ventilation improvements to improve air quality and replace outdated systems across the district. Another $3 million would fund security upgrades, including secure entrances, updated locks and expanded camera coverage.
Additional projects outlined in the proposal include a $12 million renovation and addition at South Park Elementary School to eliminate the use of portable classrooms and modernize the facility, a new $40 million elementary school in south Rapid City to address growth and overcrowding, and $20 million in improvements at Stevens High School focused on safety enhancements and campus layout changes.
District officials say the plan prioritizes school safety upgrades, modernizing older buildings, accommodating shifting student populations and reducing long‑term maintenance and energy costs.
Superintendent Dr. Jami Jo Thompson said the facilities plan reflects extensive community feedback. District leaders noted the proposal was revised based on that input, resulting in a lower overall cost while expanding improvements to more schools.
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