RAPID CITY, SD – While students enjoy summer break, staff across Rapid City Area Schools are hard at work preparing for the upcoming school year, from planning new initiatives and maintaining school buildings to coordinating hiring, fundraising and community outreach.
Rapid City Public School Foundation Executive Director Sara Hornick and Rapid City Area Schools Community Relations Manager Bobbi Schaefbauer recently discussed the behind-the-scenes work that continues throughout the summer, noting that many people mistakenly believe district employees also take the summer off. Instead, both said the quieter months provide an opportunity to focus on projects that are difficult to accomplish during the busy school year.
Schaefbauer said the district has been working on a positive marketing campaign highlighting accomplishments across Rapid City schools while also preparing informational materials ahead of a proposed school bond election this November. Hornick said the foundation has been using the summer to wrap up its fiscal year, prepare budgets, meet with donors and district leaders, and develop new grant opportunities for teachers and schools. She said the foundation is also shifting its primary fundraising season from spring to fall, aligning fundraising efforts with back-to-school activities when families are already focused on education.
Hornick said one of her goals has been meeting with district departments to identify needs before students return, ensuring the foundation can help fill gaps where possible. She also announced that foundation board meetings will rotate among schools this year, giving board members the opportunity to visit buildings throughout the district and better understand both recent improvements and future facility needs.
Schaefbauer said one of the most surprising aspects of preparing for a new school year is the amount of collaboration required between departments. From hiring teachers to updating curriculum and coordinating new staff orientation, she said district employees work together throughout the summer to make the first day of school run as smoothly as possible. Rather than competing for new hires, schools work together to place educators where they will be the best fit and most successful.
Both women praised the work of maintenance, facilities and buildings and grounds staff, whose efforts often go unnoticed. Hornick said maintenance crews spend the summer cleaning, waxing floors and preparing school buildings, while Schaefbauer noted that many major construction and infrastructure projects happen during the break. Although some improvements, such as electrical upgrades, are not immediately visible to students and parents, she said they are critical investments that keep schools operating safely and efficiently.
Hornick also highlighted the district’s transportation staff, saying seeing school bus drivers practicing their routes each summer is one of the signs that a new school year is approaching.
Looking back on recent conversations with educators and staff, Hornick said one moment that stood out was learning that McKinney-Vento liaison Anita received the Lisa Bondy Award from South Dakota Housing for her work serving students experiencing homelessness. Hornick said Anita’s personal experience with poverty gives her a unique understanding of the families she serves, adding that her compassion and dedication make her deserving of the statewide recognition.
Schaefbauer said another memorable discussion featured students involved with Raider Coffee House, a school-based program that demonstrates how educators create opportunities for students to build workplace skills and confidence. She said conversations like those reinforce that learning is not one-size-fits-all and showcase the creativity and commitment of Rapid City educators.
As another school year approaches, both leaders said the work happening behind the scenes is centered on one goal: providing students and staff with a safe, welcoming environment while ensuring schools are prepared for a successful year.
