RAPID CITY, SD — While students enjoy summer break, construction crews are hard at work across the Rapid City Area School District, with projects underway in roughly half of the district’s 22 school buildings as officials race to complete improvements before the new school year begins.

Construction and Planning Manager Jade Clement said the district spends nearly nine months planning for a busy summer construction season that lasts only a few months. The work ranges from small maintenance projects to major renovations, with planning beginning nearly a year in advance to ensure schools are ready when students return.

The largest project this summer is the addition and renovation at Rapid Valley Elementary, which is entering the first phase of a multi-year construction schedule. Crews have completed interior demolition and are beginning installation of new finishes, including carpet. While portions of the school will remain under construction during the academic year, Clement said classrooms occupied by students will remain safe, with construction activities isolated from learning areas whenever possible. Teachers will also relocate into newly completed spaces as phases of the project wrap up throughout the year.

One of the most anticipated improvements at Rapid Valley is the installation of air conditioning. Clement said the project includes a complete HVAC upgrade, providing climate control in a building that previously lacked cooling. District officials noted the need has become increasingly important as school calendars begin during some of the hottest weeks of the year.

Another major investment is underway at Grandview Elementary, where crews are installing a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system while also replacing plumbing, electrical systems, fire sprinklers, alarms and lighting. Clement said much of the work will go unnoticed by students and families because it focuses on the building’s infrastructure rather than cosmetic improvements, but it is critical to the school’s long-term reliability.

Grandview will also receive an energy-efficient ice storage system similar to one recently installed at South Middle School. The system creates glycol-based ice overnight when electricity costs are lower and uses it to cool the building during the day. Clement said the technology significantly reduces energy costs and could qualify the district for tax incentives worth approximately $3.6 million.

The district is also completing multiple projects at Stevens High School, including renovations to the fine arts area that will finally provide orchestra students with a dedicated classroom. For nearly two decades, the orchestra program has operated in what Clement described as essentially a stair landing near an emergency exit. The renovation includes a small addition that will create enclosed classroom space, along with new flooring in the art wing and HVAC improvements in one of the building’s oldest sections. District officials expect nearly all of the work to be complete before students return.

Clement said Stevens is the project he is most excited to see completed this summer, even though the work is spread throughout the building and may appear as several smaller projects to visitors.

Beyond the visible construction, the district is investing heavily in infrastructure improvements that many people never see. Roof replacements accelerated after recent windstorms damaged several buildings, while Central High School recently received a new electrical switchgear after the previous unit, dating back to the 1970s, required emergency repairs because replacement parts were no longer available. The switchgear distributes power throughout the building, making it essential to daily operations.

Clement said the district has also shifted its construction strategy in recent years. Rather than completing 60 to 75 smaller projects annually, officials now focus on roughly 25 to 30 larger, high-impact projects that improve building performance and provide longer-lasting benefits for students and staff. Rising construction costs have made it increasingly difficult to complete the same volume of work while operating under nearly the same budget as a decade ago.

To prioritize improvements, the district developed a Facility Performance Index that evaluates the physical condition of each school building. Clement emphasized the ratings measure only the condition of the facilities, not the quality of education or staff within the schools.

Although some schools may wait several years before receiving major improvements, Clement said the district’s long-term strategy is designed to make meaningful investments rather than spreading funding too thin. He added that preparing schools for students requires extensive coordination with architects and contractors, with every project planned around the fixed dates when students leave for summer break and return in the fall.

Looking ahead, Clement said the work taking place this summer is part of an ongoing effort to improve school facilities across the district. He described Rapid City Area Schools in one word: “improving,” saying the district has made significant progress but still has more work ahead to modernize aging buildings.