May 4, 2012
Proposed School Budget Given First Approval by Rapid City Board

A 5-1 vote sends the 2012-13 budget, with $9 million in cuts, to a public hearing on May 17.

The Rapid City School Board has given first approval to a porposed 2012-2013 budget that includes $9 million in reductions, reflecting the dwindling funds coming from the state. A public hearing will be held May 17, according to the Rapid City Journal, and a final budget must be approved by Oct. 1.

April 20, 2012
Early School Closure on Wednesdays Recommended for Rapid CIty Schools

The choice by a 39-member task force was made after considering 1,800 responses from an online survey.

A specially appointed task force recommended to the Rapid City School Board that school close early on Wednesdays, according to the Rapid City Journal.  Budget cuts led to a proposed change of shortening one day of the week, and the task force considered 1,800 responses from parents and staffers to an online survey. The board postponed a decision until the 2012-2013 school year calendar is completed.

April 12, 2012
Rapid City School Board Budget Discussion Resources

The Rapid City School Board is negotiating the 2012-2012 school year budget and the $4 Million budget cuts. Use this resource guide to get background information and provide feedback at the citizen meetings about the proposed budget and cuts.

 School Board Budgets & Proposed Cuts

Proposed 2012-2013 Budget-April 5, 2012 Board Meeting

2012-2013 Budget Reduction Ideas

March 8, 2012
Budget Cuts Approved by Rapid City Area School Board

Program and staff reductions will eliminate $4.3 million from next year's school budget.

The school board on Wednesday approved $4.3 million in cuts to next year's school budget. After two hours of debate, the board voted 4-3 in favor of the cuts, thereby changing the face of the RCAS system, particularly to the middle school levels. To read the full article from the Rapid City Journal, click here.

February 29, 2012
More Time, Better Options Sought by School Budget Critics

Citing a lack of timing and lack of other options, parents of RCAS students are pressuring the school board to delay or consider other options instead of a proposed $4.3 million cut to the budget next year.

Citing a lack of timing and lack of other options, parents of RCAS students are pressuring the school board to delay or consider other options instead of a proposed $4.3 million cut to the budget next year.  They cite that the restructuring of the middle schools combined with the cuts will cause the students' education to suffer.  To read the full article from the Rapid City Journal, click here.

February 28, 2012
Parents Seek to Delay School District Budget Vote

Nearly 80 parents attended the last budget meeting before the school board votes on the proposed budget cuts to the new year.

Nearly 80 parents attended the last budget meeting before the school board votes on the proposed budget cuts to the new year. They were there to plead for the reinstatement of the fund cuts so that RCAS students' education would not suffer from the cuts.  To read the full article from the Rapid City Journal, click here.

January 16, 2012
School Budget Cuts Won't Affect Math, Literacy Coaches

Second set of eyes has proven extremely helpful to classroom teachers.

The school district employs coordinators to meet with teacher-leaders and coaches on a weekly bases to  provide professional development.

Read full article in Rapid City Journal.

Read compilation of school budget items HERE.

January 7, 2012
Rapid City Schools Proposed Budget Cuts for 2012-2013

Superintendent Mitchell's list of proposed $4.5 million budget cuts affects the middle schools, teaching staff, and student work load

Yesterday Superintendent Mitchell announced proposed budget cuts totaling $4.5 for the 2012-2013 school year. The proposed cuts are due to reductions in the state's education budget. See the list of the propoosed cuts here. For background information on this issue, including the location of the first public forum to be held Tuesday,  January 10, 6 p.m.

December 16, 2011
State Training Funds Eyed by Rapid Schools

While the increases in funding education only amount to 0.8%, it does include new training for teachers.

While the increases in funding education only amount to 0.8%, it does include new training for teachers. It also includes language to help teachers maintain the skills learned and not let them fall by the wayside.  To read the full article from the Rapid City Journal, click here.

November 28, 2011
Budget Cuts Don't Affect Quality of Education

Despite funding cuts,  district  still bringing high quality education to 14,000+ students.

State of the Local Governments luncheon excerpt.  Watch coverage at KEVN Fox News.

See collection of school budget items HERE.

November 28, 2011
School District Invites Public Comment on Proposed Budget Cuts

Possible cuts include some extracurricular activities, Reading Recovery, reductions in band and orchestra, counseling services and more. Budget issues could also affect staff salaries.

November 28, 2011
Study Shows Education Budget Cut Impact

Report asserts that students in South Dakota are doing well despite budget cuts.

State-wide survey details affects of recent school budget cuts across South Dakota. View report at KOTA TV. See collection of school budget cut stories here.

November 25, 2011
School, City, County Leaders Outline Challenges Ahead

Rough economy forces civic leaders to look for new ways to control budgets.

Local government leader say they are doing the best they can to make progress while being fiscally responsible in a weak economy. Read full article in Rapid City Journal. Read other budget related stories here.

November 22, 2011
In Budget Bind, Schools Consider Cutting Classes

Parents seeking challenges for students may need to look elsewhere.

Talented and Gifted (TAG) program on list of suggested classes to cut.  Read full article in Rapid City Journal.

Read about more possible school budget cuts HERE.

November 22, 2011
Music Programs Among Areas Eyed for Cuts

To be, or not to be? A sour note for music and theater students.

Music and theater students in Rapid City School district could shoulder some of the budget cuts. Read full article in Rapid City Journal.

Collected school budget stories HERE.

November 22, 2011
State of School Address - LIVE CHAT

Listen LIVE - Dr. Mitchell's State of Schools Address.

Listen live, 11:30 today November 22, 2011.  Read print Q & A at Rapid City Journal.

See related video at Rapid City Journal.

More school budget stories HERE.

November 21, 2011
Budget Crunch Could Impact Rapid City Sports

School sports not immune to budget crunch.

Ideas to reduce the Rapid City Area School's budget includes several changes to middle and high school athletes.  Read Rapid City Journal article.

Follow school budget stories HERE.

November 19, 2011
Rapid City Middle Schools May See Most of Budget Cuts

Rapid City Area School District's five middle schools could lose approximately 20 teachers if a measure to reduce next year's budget moves forward.

Rapid City Area School District's five middle schools could lose approximately 20 teachers if a measure to reduce next year's budget moves forward. Middle school team-planning periods would also be eliminated under Superintendent Tim Mitchell's plan to meet the reduced budget for the 2012-2013 school year. These measures would save the district as much as $1.2 million and put the annual per-student spending for middle school students closer to the cost for elementary and high school students.

November 2, 2011
School Program Cuts Inevitable, says Superintendent

Facing a budget cut of nearly $8 million, Rapid City Area Schools administrators are looking for areas to make cuts in while still providing a good education.

Facing a budget cut of nearly $8 million, Rapid City Area Schools administrators are looking for areas to make cuts in while still providing a good education. It could mean schedule changes, less bus amenities, or others.  For more this article from the Rapid City Journal, please click here.

October 25, 2011
Superintendent presents"Ideas" for school budget cuts

Ideas for school budget cuts-4 million dollars worth.

Superintendent Mitchell presents list of 'ideas' for reducing budget by $4 million. 

Read full article and find out what items are on the list on RCPL diigo HERE.