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Today’s edition · Thurs., Nov. 5

Rapid City voters pass the $107 million school bond

Plus, staff will recommend pushing the data center rules vote to Dec. 10.

The Good Day Rapid City team2 stories21 sources5 min read

SchoolsTop story

Rapid City voters pass a $107 million school bond with 67.4% support

The bond cleared the 60% bar with 67.4% support

67.4%Share of votes in favor, unofficial

Source: KBHB Radio

View as table
Value
Share of votes in favor, unofficial67.4%
Needed to pass60.0%

If you voted Tuesday, you helped end a long wait. Rapid City Area Schools' $107 million bond passed, with unofficial Secretary of State results showing 22,530 yes votes and 10,902 no across all 47 precincts. It needed 60% and got 67.4%.

  • HVAC and energy-efficiency upgrades: Horace Mann, Meadowbrook, North Middle
  • New elementary school: Parkview property
  • South Park Elementary: renovations and an addition
  • Stevens High School: security upgrades

The district hasn't passed a bond since 1976, KOTA reported. A $189.5 million proposal in 2020 won a majority but missed the 60% threshold. Supporters gathered for a watch party at the Rushmore Hotel on election night. The totals stay unofficial until election officials and certify them.

Voters passed a smaller bond than the 2020 proposal that fell short

Source: KOTA

View as table
Value
2020 proposal (missed 60%)$189.5 million
2026 bond (passed)$107 million

Schools

Rapid City Area Schools now moves from the bond vote to designing projects

Now comes the work. The district says it's moving from planning to implementation: project design, scheduling, financial planning and construction coordination. The bond will supplement a $79 million already covering North and West middle schools, Wilson and South Canyon elementaries and a new Shepherd Hills Elementary over the next decade.

A new elementary and HVAC upgrades take most of the $107 million

Source: The Rapid City Post

View as table
AmountShare
New elementary, Parkview property$40 million37.4%
HVAC upgrades$32 million29.9%
Stevens High safety improvements$20 million18.7%
South Park addition and renovation$12 million11.2%
Safety and security upgrades$3 million2.8%

What does it cost you? The district puts the tax impact at about 49 cents per $1,000 of a property's valuation. Chief Financial and Operations Officer Coy Sasse said the district significantly reduced its ask this time.

The bond's tax impact is about 49 cents per $1,000

49 cents
per $1,000 of a property's valuation
$12.25
a month on a $300,000 property
$79 million
in the capital outlay plan the bond supplements

Source: The Rapid City Post

“We were more transparent with our referendum language, which was a major concern.”

Coy Sasse, RCAS chief financial and operations officer
  • Bond Advisory Committee: the district will share how to apply in the coming weeks
  • Bond Progress Page: timelines, construction updates and milestones
  • Community Newsletter: monthly bond updates; sign up at .org

Asked

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Asked

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News Notes

Data centers

If you care how Rapid City handles data centers, the takes up the ordinance today at 7 a.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. City staff will recommend continuing it to Dec. 10 so they can work in public feedback. The Oct. 14 open house and survey drew about 150 responses, and an online survey brought in nearly 790 more before it closed Monday. Ordinance 6746 was introduced Sept. 10 to add safeguards for known data center issues. KOTA Territory NewsKBHB RadioKOTAKELOLAND.com

Building permits

Rapid City has issued 2,258 building permits through 10 months, compared with 2,078 over the same stretch in 2025. It's only the second time the city has topped $400 million in permit valuation, and the record is $463.5 million, set in 2023. The largest October permit was for a $6.1 million classroom and gymnasium addition at Zion Lutheran School. KBHB RadioKOTA

$422.3 millionin Rapid City building permit valuation through 10 months

The city's record is $463.5 million, set in 2023.

Source: KBHB Radio

City compost

Rapid City is testing biochar from Dakota BioChar to see whether it can neutralize herbicide contamination in the city's compost. Results aren't in yet, and the city still advises against using its compost in gardens or on broadleaf plants. KOTA Territory News

Monument Health

Monument Health's Gillette Clinic began seeing patients Mon., Nov. 2, at 469 WYO 50. It keeps the care team from the former Hoskinson Health and Wellness Clinic and will continue serving more than 21,000 patients. The clinic offers primary care, cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, nephrology and sleep medicine. KOTA Territory NewsKBHB Radio

Rush

Alex Campbell, 25, returns to the Rapid City Rush from the AHL's Calgary Wranglers, and Ryan Hofer, 24, earned his first Calgary call-up. Separately, the Rush's three road games at Idaho this week were postponed because of ice conditions at Idaho Central Arena, and new dates haven't been set. The Rapid City PostRapid City JournalRapid City Journal

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Around South Dakota

Amendments

Voters approved Amendment J, which adds language to the state constitution disqualifying non-U.S. citizens from voting, and Amendment K, which sets up a trust fund for unclaimed property. They rejected Amendment I, which would have ended expanded Medicaid coverage if federal funding dropped below 90%, and Amendment L, which would have required 60% voter approval for future constitutional amendments. The Rapid City Post

Custer State Park

Custer State Park won a 2026 Hearts of STIHL grant for trail restoration as crews continue recovery work after the December 2025 windstorm. The announcement didn't give a grant amount or a completion date. KOTA Territory News

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But here’s the thing: creating meaningful, high-quality local content takes time, heart, and resources. That’s where you come in.

Over the next few days, we’re organizing a fundraising campaign to boost our daily, hyperlocal newsletters, and we’d love your support with a recurring monthly gift. Think of it like buying us a cup of coffee every month. You'll help keep our content free and continue growing a positive local space we can all be proud of. Prefer a one-time gift? That's great, too — every dollar is a high five to our small team and a boost to local news.

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Asked

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Asked

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.

— Sylvia Plath

Things to Do

Things to Do

Rapid City, SD

Thursday, Nov. 5

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The Buy

Around the Block

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HEADS UP!

“If you owe any amount to the monument spine center they are being bought out and sending everyone bills to collections even if your making payments. Make sure to call and see where you bill is because they just sent me to collections and hit my credit despite me making agreed upon payments! When I called they said…”

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The Wrap

Swamp creature fits are welcome at the Shrek Rave, coming to 707 Nightlife at The Park on Fri., Nov. 6. It's billed as a night of chaotic rave energy and throwback tunes, and the pitch is simple: "Just come have fun." Grab your crew and your best swamp creature fit.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Rapid City's $107 million school bond led with 69% late Tuesday

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Every source in this edition21 links · 8 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. KBHB Radiokbhbradio.com
  3. KOTAkotaradio.com
  4. The Rapid City Postrapidcitypost.com
  5. The Rapid City Postrapidcitypost.com
  6. KELOLAND.comkeloland.com
  7. KOTA Territory Newskotatv.com
  8. KBHB Radiokbhbradio.com
  9. KOTAkotaradio.com
  10. KELOLAND.comkeloland.com
  11. KBHB Radiokbhbradio.com
  12. KOTAkotaradio.com
  13. KOTA Territory Newskotatv.com
  14. KOTA Territory Newskotatv.com
  15. KBHB Radiokbhbradio.com
  16. The Rapid City Postrapidcitypost.com
  17. Rapid City Journalrapidcityjournal.com
  18. Rapid City Journalrapidcityjournal.com
  19. The Rapid City Postrapidcitypost.com
  20. KOTA Territory Newskotatv.com
  21. Rapid City events calendargooddayrapidcity.com

Past issues

  1. Wed., Nov. 4Rapid City's $107 million school bond led with 69% late Tuesday
  2. Tues., Nov. 3Jackson Blvd. lane closed through Nov. 13, plus a $7.98M grassland grant
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Good Day Rapid Cityto me · Thurs., Nov. 56:00 a.m.

Rapid City voters pass the $107 million school bond

Plus, staff will recommend pushing the data center rules vote to Dec. 10.

The TLDR

  1. Voters pass the $107 million RCAS school bond
  2. What the bond builds and what it costs you
  3. Data center rules vote likely pushed to Dec. 10
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Good Day Rapid City’s other editions

All the news
ElectionRapid City's $107 million school bond was passing with 69% late on Election NightIf you went to bed before the school bond results came in, here's where things stood. As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, the Rapid City Area Schools bond question was slated to pass. The count wasn't finished.Wednesday’s editionRead Getting AroundJackson Boulevard's westbound outside lane is closed from West Main to Mountain View through Nov. 13If you take Jackson Boulevard, plan for a slower trip. SDN Communications began directional boring there Monday, and the westbound outside lane is closed from West Main Street to Mountain View Road.Tuesday’s editionRead Ag & OutdoorsA South Dakota conservation group landed $7.98 million in federal money to restore grasslandsIf you're a South Dakota landowner or producer, this one's worth a look. The Second Century Habitat Fund has been awarded $7.98 million through the USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Its Working Lands Grassland Recovery Initiative was one of 42 projects picked nationwide.Tuesday’s editionRead

Around Rapid City

From KOTA Territory News, KELOLAND.com and KBHB Radio, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. KOTA Territory News6 hours ago

    Athlete of the Week-RC Christian’s Chloe Weber

    Plus Rush series at Idaho postponed for ice conditions

  2. KOTA Territory News7 hours ago

    Big Ol’ Fish-Caiden Bounting

    13 pound Grass Carp

  3. KELOLAND.com9 hours ago

    Voters approve $107 million RCAS Bond

    RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO)– Six years ago, a Rapid City Area Schools bond failed after it didn’t reach a 60% supermajority. But this time, the bond passed with 68% of voters selecting yes. “We significantly reduced the ask of the bond, which was a major concern that significantly reduced the impact to taxpayers, which was

    Also reported byKBHB Radio

  4. KOTA Territory News12 hours ago

    Custer State Park receives Hearts of STIHL grant for trail recovery

    Custer State Park says a 2026 Hearts of STIHL grant will support trail restoration after the December 2025 windstorm. Its award amount was not announced.

  5. KOTA Territory News12 hours ago

    Prayer vigil for missing Jory Low Dog set for Nov. 7 in Dupree

    A prayer vigil for missing Jory Low Dog begins at 5 p.m. Nov. 7 in Dupree. Find gathering details and verified contacts for information.

  6. KOTA Territory News12 hours ago

    Rapid City tests biochar as possible fix for contaminated compost

    Rapid City is testing biochar in herbicide-contaminated compost. Results are pending, and the city still advises against garden use.