RAPID CITY, S.D. – Rapid City Area Schools will hold the first of a series of bond referendum information sessions tonight, Thursday, Aug. 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at South Park Elementary School in Rapid City.

According to RCAS, these informational sessions are intended to provide clear, factual, and balanced information about the proposed Rapid City Area Schools bond referendum. The purpose of the sessions is to help community members better understand the proposal and make an informed decision. Rapid City Area Schools does not advocate for or against the measure or encourage anyone to vote a particular way.

RCAS has put forward a $107 million bond proposal to address growing needs in the school district. The bond proposal is a scaled down version of the $189 million plan that narrowly failed in 2020.

The proposed bond would address several district priorities:

HVAC upgrades ($32 million) to address heating, cooling and ventilation systems nearing end of life; safety and security upgrades ($3 million); South Park Elementary addition and renovation ($12 million); a new elementary at the Parkview Property ($40 million); and, Stevens High School safety improvements ($20 million).

The tax impact of the proposed $107 million bond would be about 49 cents per thousand dollars of a property’s valuation – or about $12.25 a month on a $300,000 property.

Information Session Schedule:

Thursday, August 27, 2026

South Park Elementary

6:00–7:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Virtual (Zoom)

7:00–8:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Valley View Elementary

6:00–7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Virtual (Zoom)

6:00–7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 29, 2026

Stevens High School Theatre

6:00–7:30 p.m.