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Rapid City Area Schools board adopts 2026–27 calendar, adds two student contact days and snow-day makeup plan
Summary
The Rapid City Area School District 51-4 Board of Education approved a recommended 2026–27 staff and student learning calendar that adds two student contact days (offset by two professional development days) and designates two April 'makeup' days to be used for snow-day recovery, with e-learning used when feasible before April 1.
The Rapid City Area School District 51-4 Board of Education voted to adopt the school district’s recommended 2026–27 staff and student learning calendar after a presentation by the calendar committee and district staff.
Superintendent Dr. Thompson said the committee — more than 30 teachers, principals, parents and staff — reached consensus on a calendar that moves the district closer to the state average for student contact days by adding two instructional days while removing two professional development days from the negotiated contract days for most staff. "If that is approved tonight, we are also recommending that we start the process over, in January so that we can work on the calendar for the following year," Dr. Thompson said during her presentation.
The committee’s recommended calendar starts students on Aug. 24 and ends the student year on May 27 (teachers end the following day). As part of the plan the district will designate two April dates as potential snow-day makeup days; if snow days occur before April 1 the district will use e-learning when feasible and will use the designated April days as makeup days as needed. East Middle School principal (committee member) explained the April option as a separate short April break so the district does not alter the existing spring break.
Committee members and board trustees discussed several calendar options the committee considered, including calendars that started before or after Labor Day and tradeoffs for staff in negotiated contract day counts. Dr. Thompson and committee members emphasized the calendar reflects cross-section input from elementary through high school and weighs competing priorities such as athletics, dual credit schedules and testing windows.
Board president called for a motion to adopt the proposed calendars; the motion was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. The board also discussed operational details that will accompany the calendar, including monitoring attendance on shortened weeks and notifying the public about e-learning usage for snow days.
Next steps: the calendar is approved and will be posted and communicated to families and staff; the committee recommended restarting the calendar-drafting process in January for the following year if the board wishes further changes.
