RCAS discussing return of school bond issue

RAPID CITY, S.D. — RCAS is in preliminary talks about bringing back minimal discussions of a school bond that was voted down in February of 2020.

The bond, which needed 60 percent of voters in favor, aimed to provide about $189 million in funding towards school safety, construction of new schools, and capacity control.

Dr. Simon says that formal discussions about the bond haven’t begun, but administrators are in preliminary discussion to be prepared and work through the details to be ready when the time comes.

“Towards the end of February, we were starting to meet as a team and as administrators to really begin debriefing what went well with our bond campaign, what did we hear, what do we maybe need to consider looking into as we do any preparing for the next iteration of a bond,” Dr. Simon said.

Dr. Simon says that the school district is mainly concerned about minor boundary shifts that will provide relief for a few years for Valley View Elementary and East Middle School. She acknowledged the growth in both schools and says that the schools district will look at their capital outlay situation.