[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6623184,"mediaKeyId","2776243-0e66ad424db64adaec44e4bec730d794","parentId",2776243,"title","Rapid City schools propose junior kindergarten, virtual elementary and new behavior programs at Kibben-Custer; board gives interim support","audioSeconds",6063,"startMs",950550,"endMs",7013645,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776243-0e66ad424db64adaec44e4bec730d794&start=950&end=7013","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776243-0e66ad424db64adaec44e4bec730d794/thumbnail_950550.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623184/South-Dakota/Rapid-City-schools-propose-junior-kindergarten-virtual-elementary-and-new-behavior-programs-at-Kibben-Custer-board-gives-interim-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623184-7f0dc971d8d36f5dc3f88c302a992b7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151787&Signature=MJ8CGM11HJI6y8HWaUoFHGC77Hc60FbT15PkBW4GQapRNURjV3~M2yQNsfzvLsKPtmVBWgYpZ2bzXIf~u-hDKMoZMdFlOjw-jeninCO1OLb5lJdU2gJ1FDnaumLC1w4eyeT8uW-QVixSBxw1HbZjCpsrcKUdggCrmYJ3TpHTajm8s6tAjeD~J2AGPG2M~0j0xR5HwfhZH8tLGgK5~5y0Wu8957ACyoka-9EXVcqcpzKhF-bjBS4RokM0k59n3wEb1n3lBQnguBGPnbouU-7rIOOAKeCnG9FxKDa60IN8QRAI9YWt1Sl1JadxFv6MhRCAyux9GepwBmWabw5MbPJmzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rapid City Area Schools","date","2025-03-26T08:20:30.437Z","article","Rapid City Area School District 51-4 administrators on Tuesday presented a package of elementary initiatives — expanding junior kindergarten, launching a blended virtual elementary school, and creating two district-run behavior-focused classrooms (a TEACH program for students on the autism spectrum and a behavior-reset classroom) — and proposed using the empty Kibben‑Custer facility to house the options.

District administrators said the presentation was informational; trustees voted to support the administration in further developing the proposals and to return to the board with detailed costs and staffing requests for formal approval.

Why it matters: District leaders said the programs respond to rising developmental and behavioral needs among young children after the pandemic, capacity limits at existing elementary sites, and demand from families seeking alternatives to a traditional classroom. If adopted, the district would add staff and retrofit Kibben‑Custer to serve preschool, junior kindergarten and small, specialized classrooms.

What administrators presented
- Junior kindergarten: The district is piloting junior kindergarten this year at General Beadle, South Park and Valley View. Presenters said junior kindergarten serves children who meet kindergarten age criteria but need more time to develop academic and social skills; classes are taught to kindergarten-ready outcomes and require a state waiver so the extra year does not count against district graduation-year student‑count rules. Principals reported midyear gains in letter knowledge, number identification and social‑emotional skills for students in the pilot. At General Beadle, a principal said 12 students remained in the class and several showed substantial gains in letters and numbers; South Park reported 18 students and similar midyear improvements; Valley View reported 16 students with many meeting end‑of‑year junior‑k benchmarks.

- Kibben‑Custer facility use: Administrators proposed moving two preschool sections (currently at Rapid Valley and Pinedale) into classrooms 10 and 11 at Kibben‑Custer and operating the virtual elementary school, a behavior‑reset classroom and a TEACH classroom for autistic learners in other rooms. The district plans enclosed small playgrounds adjacent to classroom groupings and some minor facility upgrades because the building is currently unused.

- Staffing and costs: The administration’s preliminary staffing estimate for the suite of proposals included four general‑education elementary teachers, two special‑education teachers, an assistant principal (to work under Meadowbrook’s administrator), clerical support and related‑services staff. Administrators said they are working with Mr. Sasse on budget scoping and will present specific numbers to finance and then the full board. A license for the district’s chosen online learning system (the elementary variant of Edgenuity) was estimated at roughly $40,000 for an initial cohort of up to 40 students; administrators said final per‑student costs would scale with enrollment.

- Virtual elementary school: Presenters described a blended model combining online curriculum and regular, scheduled face‑to‑face instruction. Initial staffing would include two certified teachers with multi‑grade classes (roughly 20 students per teacher), administrative support and clerical coverage. The program would enroll Meadowbrook students initially and open to district families via general open‑enrollment procedures; families will be required to meet attendance expectations and some in‑building sessions will be mandatory for early‑grade reading and state testing. Administrators said virtual students would use the district’s online learning platform and district devices; families without reliable home internet may be considered for district hot‑spots or other supports.

- TEACH classroom and behavior‑reset classroom: The district proposed a TEACH structured‑teaching classroom for students with more significant autism spectrum needs — a small, highly visual program with low staff‑to‑student ratios (one teacher plus multiple paraprofessionals) designed to teach communication and self‑care skills. Separately, administrators proposed a behavior‑reset (sometimes called a “reset” or positive behavior classroom) for students with persistent disruptive behaviors; models under consideration included Boys Town and Safe & Civil Schools. Administrators said both models include staff training components and are intended as Tier‑3 supports (beyond universal and targeted interventions) with the goal of teaching skills, then returning students to their home classrooms when appropriate.

Board action and next steps: After the presentations, a trustee moved that the board “support the administration in the programming that they presented tonight” and directed staff to return with detailed staffing and cost estimates. The motion passed in a unanimous roll call vote (5–0).

Quotes from the meeting: Florence Thompson, a public commenter, introduced herself as “president of South Dakota Parents Involved in Education” and urged attention to kindergarten readiness. Dr. Strasser, the district presenter, described the Kibben‑Custer plan: “So the preschool programs are existing. … The virtual elementary school is for any student. It can be students within our district. It can be students not currently in our district.” Beth Duwache and Meadowbrook administrator Miss Hogancamp described the virtual school vision: “We envision our virtual elementary school being a blended model, which just means that students will have a combination of face‑to‑face instruction as well as online learning.”

What was not decided tonight: The board’s vote was limited to supporting continued development and directing staff to return with budget numbers and formal proposals. No contracts, budget appropriations or final facility authorization were approved; administrators said those decisions would return to the board for formal votes after finance committee review.

Community context and next milestones: Administrators said the district must secure or rely on an existing junior‑k waiver from the South Dakota Department of Education that allows a district to count students under the state’s student‑count rules. They also said staffing availability (teachers and paraprofessionals) and final budget approval are the principal constraints. The district expects to advertise programs and begin open registration in spring, with staffing and orientation steps through summer if the board approves final budgets.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: “Support the administration in the programming that they presented tonight and bring back detailed staffing and budget information for formal approval.” Outcome: approved, roll call vote 5–0 (Troy Carr: yes; Jamie Clapham: yes; Christine Stephenson: yes; Donna Moore: yes; Katie Urban: yes).

Ending note: Administrators characterized the package as a multi‑year effort that could be phased in by need and capacity; trustees asked staff to return with more detailed budget and implementation plans before any committed spending or facility projects proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 19, 2025 Board of Education Study Session","oneSentenceSummary","Rapid City Area School District 51-4 administrators on Tuesday presented a package of elementary initiatives — expanding junior kindergarten, launching a blended virtual elementary school, and creating two district-run behavior-focused classrooms — and proposed using the vacant Kibben‑Custer building to house the options.","taxTitle","Rapid City Area School District 51-4, School Districts, South Dakota","taxId",12939,"location","South Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6623178,"Rapid City Alternative Academy reports early gains from Discovery behavior curriculum; leaders plan additional supports",0,5471005,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776243-0e66ad424db64adaec44e4bec730d794&start=5471&end=5471","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776243-0e66ad424db64adaec44e4bec730d794/thumbnail_5471005.jpg","/articles/6623178/South-Dakota/Rapid-City-Alternative-Academy-reports-early-gains-from-Discovery-behavior-curriculum-leaders-plan-additional-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623178-0f6d377a3c67fa9236242b3196eabda7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151787&Signature=oBx2PGaBlma4av0LTCIJ9oxTdF-h1O1UOSI10sFS2Gxk9q0KazbEyIgdCN449eTISJTYU7Kf8UAZx~7tDquJcxGxYLztnHgpjps47Tzj5YO4MQRxsUdO7BXxZuaxVkU~nBrXrB7Kcu1OZUsTzGJBLkSYfAlmV7EzVCGbGOqVrdseNX9FVTttYv7M--xqwpes64ag2ctGjOL-1q7qYnnN0ARfxsVnROCuuvm1vUjhULTNsq5TZrLnS5j-B8RbK4ZGkj4nPwrP6u8olvIE0Q3psMD9-lSx4mob35buL5R0fVxroiIilOLmB4Sh6HJ1-QXfZXUXW7YytkCEwjl89hvu2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rapid City Alternative Academy staff on Tuesday described their Discovery social‑skills curriculum and early results from the first full year of implementation, saying students who complete the nine‑week course on time generally show measurable gains and that the academy will continue to refine tiered supports for students who need additional help.

Why it matters: Discovery is the academy’s entry course for students placed at the district’s alternative academy; administrators and teachers say the curriculum focuses on transferable social and communication skills, anger management, problem solving and group‑work routines that teachers contend reduce classroom disruptions and can improve academic progress.

What staff said
- Program structure: Jessica Canta, principal of Rapid City Alternative Academy (RCAA), said Discovery is a nine‑week, research‑based course that all in‑person RCAA students take as their entry class. The Discovery curriculum includes six major units (effective groups; anger management; communication modes and assertiveness; problem solving/conflict resolution; circle‑up routines; and daily journals and production expectations).

- Classroom practice: Dennis Morton, the Discovery teacher, described daily “circle up” check‑ins, explicit teaching of five attending skills and six performance expectations (promptness, preparedness, politeness, participation, positive mental attitude and production), a three‑step redirect protocol and a Refocus Room where students complete a problem‑solving contract before returning to class. Morton said the pedagogy emphasizes student agency and practice in role plays and real interactions.

- Outcomes and data: Staff presented internal course data showing higher pass rates for students who remained in the full nine‑week course. Presenters shared that pass rates for full‑time students in high‑school Discovery cohorts ranged across quarters (examples shown in district slides varied, with figures in the course materials ranging from roughly 70% to the low‑90s depending on cohort and quarter). Administrators said students who complete Discovery tend to better engage in core academic classes and that the academy sees graduation and credit progress from students who move through the program.

- Tiered supports and next steps: RCAA leaders said the academy is developing an Eagle’s Nest option for students who are rescheduled out of Discovery during a quarter; Eagle’s Nest provides lighter Discovery exposure plus guided Edgenuity coursework so students continue to earn credit while staff reteach or preteach behavioral skills. Middle‑school Discovery is operating with fewer students and a slower pace; administrators said they will continue refining intake, referral and enrollment procedures and plan targeted training for middle‑school staff.

Quotes from the meeting: “Every student at Rapid City Alternative Academy starts with Discovery course,” said Principal Jessica Canta. Discovery teacher Dennis Morton said of classroom practice: “We teach them to introduce themselves to each other, to shake each other’s hands for the first time,” and later described classroom redirects and the Refocus Room as ways to preserve in‑class learning while addressing behavior.

What was not decided: RCAA’s description was an informational update. The board did not vote separately on RCAA program design; RCAA is among the programs covered by the board’s broader motion supporting continued development of the administration’s elementary and alternative programming.

Community context: RCAA leaders said the model draws on established Discovery practice used in other districts and that the district plans ongoing training for staff and an on‑site visit to a long‑established program for additional coaching. The academy said it will continue collecting year‑over‑year data to evaluate whether the course improves long‑term student outcomes including promotion, credit accumulation and graduation rates.

Ending: RCAA staff asked the board to continue supporting training and incremental adjustments; administrators said they will return with program data and implementation refinements in subsequent quarterly updates.","Rapid City Alternative Academy staff described the Discovery social‑skills curriculum used with middle‑ and high‑school students, early pass‑rate data for the high‑school cohort and next steps to expand tiered supports and middle‑school options.","actionData","errors"]

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Rapid City schools propose junior kindergarten, virtual elementary and new behavior programs at Kibben-Custer; board gives interim support

Rapid City Alternative Academy reports early gains from Discovery behavior curriculum; leaders plan additional supports