RCAS Bond Referendum Information Session

Rapid City Area Schools held a bond referendum information session on October 1, 2026, about the proposal expected to go before voters in November 2026. District staff described a proposed $107 million bond package, reduced from a $189.5 million proposal in 2020 and a $125 million amount considered in a community survey. Proposed projects include HVAC and air-quality upgrades at several schools; safety and security work at multiple schools, including an addition at Stevens High School; an expansion at a core elementary school; and a new elementary school on the district’s Park View property. The presentation also said expanded capacity, together with the Rapid Valley expansion already underway, would allow Robbinsdale Elementary to close. Staff cited an estimated tax cost of 49 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or about $196 annually for a $400,000 property, and said delaying the work could add an estimated $37 million to $90 million in inflation and financing costs. The presentation also referenced a broader $186 million facilities plan.

This was an informational session; no motions, votes, contract awards, or purchasing approvals were reported. Staff said the proposal was shaped by facility assessments and community feedback, and discussed tax-relief legislation passed in the 2026 session. The district provided a website and tax calculator for residents seeking more information.