Board hears updates on Grandview, Stevens and Rapid Valley facilities projects; Rapid Valley design may near $15M

Board members on the Rapid City Area School District 51‑4 Board of Education reported progress on several facilities projects and flagged a possible cost increase for the Rapid Valley expansion.

Facilities committee member Missus Irvin said the district solicited contractor proposals for a Grandview HVAC upgrade that will add air conditioning and that construction is likely next year. Irvin also said Stevens High School will receive several upgrades including a new orchestra room, added storage for fine arts, an upgraded freshman lunch area and air‑handling unit replacements in older sections of the building; construction there is planned to begin next summer.

Rapid Valley: design work is advancing and has attracted contractor interest, committee members said, but trustees cautioned the district may face higher costs than first estimated. Board member Miss Urban noted the Rapid Valley project could increase to about $15,000,000 “we don't know that for sure,” and said sprinkler work and HVAC upgrades are among items driving cost increases; the board expects more firm numbers as final designs are completed.

Board process and next steps: committee members said multiple contractors toured sites and that formal bids/proposals will follow design finalization. Board members emphasized balancing scope with cost, noting “it’s hard to not want to do everything when you are tearing up a building.” Staff said project carryovers and budget timing will be addressed in the capital outlay follow‑up and that a future contract award timeline will be provided.

No formal votes on design approvals or contracts were taken at this meeting; board members asked staff to return with updated cost estimates and schedules.