Rapid City School Budget Analysis

April 9, 2025
Seal SD Liberty

Report: Rapid City School Budget Analysis – $136 Million Per Year in South Dakota: Are We Producing Einstein-Level Excellence?

Rapid City, South Dakota, is home to the Rapid City Area School District 51-4 (RCAS), which serves a diverse community in the heart of the Black Hills. With an annual budget of $136 million, the district educates 12,145 students across 28 schools, as reported by U.S. News Education and Public School Review data for the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 school years. This report dissects RCAS’s spending, evaluates what South Dakotans are getting for this substantial investment, and assesses whether it’s fostering the kind of Einstein-level excellence we should expect for such a significant sum. While this analysis doesn’t aim to criticize the district, it seeks to illustrate whether this $136 million investment aligns with a liberty-minded vision of education that prioritizes critical thinking, innovation, and individual excellence over government-driven standardization.

Budget Breakdown: Where Does the $136 Million Go?

RCAS’s annual revenue is $136,000,000, equating to a per-pupil spending of $11,197, according to U.S. News Education data. This figure is below the South Dakota state average of $14,087 per pupil (Education Data Initiative, 2025) and significantly less than the national average of $15,633 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024). While exact budget breakdowns for RCAS are not publicly detailed in the available data, we can estimate based on typical South Dakota district allocations and RCAS-specific insights:

  • Instruction: $70,720,000 (52% of the budget, estimated)
    This likely covers teacher salaries, classroom materials, and direct educational activities. With 12,145 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 (U.S. News), RCAS employs approximately 810 teachers. Assuming an average teacher salary of $48,204 (South Dakota average, Argus Leader, 2020), this equates to roughly $39 million for salaries, leaving the rest for resources like textbooks, technology, and supplies.
  • Support Services: $47,600,000 (35%, estimated)
    This includes administrative costs, student support (counselors, nurses), maintenance, transportation, and operational expenses. Rapid City’s urban setting requires significant transportation costs—buses cover a sprawling district, and RCAS Superintendent Coy Sasse noted a 15–20-year bus driver shortage (KOTA TV, 2025). Maintenance for 28 schools, including utilities and repairs, also consumes a large portion, especially with South Dakota’s harsh winters.
  • Other Expenses: $8,160,000 (6%, estimated)
    This likely covers extracurricular activities, food services, and miscellaneous costs. RCAS’s 41% minority enrollment and 48% economically disadvantaged student population (Public School Review, 2024) mean significant funding goes to federal free and reduced-price meal programs, though exact figures aren’t specified.
  • Unaccounted/Reserve: $9,520,000 (7%, estimated)
    The remaining portion may include debt service, capital projects, or reserve funds. South Dakota Searchlight (2023) notes RCAS’s need for facility upgrades, but the state funding formula doesn’t support such investments, forcing reliance on local taxpayers or loans.

What Are We Getting for $136 Million?

With $136 million invested annually, RCAS should be producing students capable of Einstein-level excellence—thinkers who can innovate, solve complex problems, and lead in a competitive global landscape. Let’s evaluate the district’s outcomes to see if this hope is being realized.

  • Academic Performance:
    RCAS students show below-average proficiency compared to state benchmarks. According to Public School Review (2024), 37% of students are proficient in math (versus the South Dakota average of 43%), and 47% are proficient in reading (versus 51% statewide). Nationally, the U.S. averages are 40% in math and 53% in reading (NAEP, 2022), so RCAS lags in both areas. GreatSchools (2024) notes that a larger number of RCAS schools are rated below average in quality, with many students making less academic progress than peers statewide. Southwest Middle School – 38 stands out, with 59% math proficiency and 70% reading proficiency (U.S. News), but this is an outlier—most schools underperform.
  • Graduation Rate:
    RCAS’s graduation rate isn’t directly reported, but South Dakota’s overall rate was 84% in 2018–2019 (Ballotpedia). Assuming RCAS aligns with this, it’s below the national average of 88% (NCES, 2022). Top-performing states like Nebraska achieve 92% (NCES, 2021). A middling graduation rate suggests RCAS isn’t fully preparing students for future success, falling short of the excellence expected for $136 million.
  • Student Opportunities:
    RCAS offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and dual credit opportunities, which are positives for advanced students (U.S. News). Schools like Stevens High School – 42 and Central High School – 41 provide AP coursework, with participation rates of 30–40% (U.S. News). However, GreatSchools (2024) notes that many RCAS students end up in remedial math courses in college, indicating a gap in preparation. Extracurriculars exist, but there’s no evidence of robust STEM programs like robotics or coding, which are critical for future innovation. The Rapid City Public School Foundation awarded $12,000 in grants in 2024–2025 for new programs (RCPSF), but this is a drop in the bucket compared to the district’s needs.
  • Critical Thinking and Liberty:
    RCAS doesn’t appear to prioritize liberty-focused education—such as constitutional studies or financial literacy—or emphasize critical thinking over test prep. The district’s focus on standardized testing, a national trend (60% of curricula, National Association of Scholars, 2023), likely contributes to the IQ drop since 2010 (Northwestern Now, 2023), as students are trained to memorize rather than think. GreatSchools (2024) highlights an achievement gap, with 41% minority enrollment (mostly American Indian) and 48% economically disadvantaged students underperforming, suggesting a lack of tailored support. South Dakota Searchlight (2023) notes RCAS lost $497,881 in state aid due to a 245-student enrollment drop, despite a 7% state funding increase, forcing reliance on local property taxes—a system that stifles liberty by burdening homeowners.

Are We Producing Einstein-Level Excellence?

For $136 million, RCAS should be a beacon of brilliance—students who can innovate like Einstein, think critically, and lead in STEM fields. But the data paints a sobering picture:

  • Academic Mediocrity: Proficiency rates (37% math, 47% reading) are below state and national averages, with many schools rated below average (GreatSchools, 2024). This suggests a focus on meeting minimum standards rather than pushing for excellence.
  • Lack of Innovation: There’s no mention of cutting-edge programs like robotics, coding, or advanced STEM labs, which are essential for producing future innovators. Top global performers like Singapore (575 PISA math, 2022) prioritize such skills—RCAS isn’t keeping pace.
  • Liberty and Critical Thinking Gap: The district doesn’t appear to prioritize liberty-first education—constitutional studies, financial literacy, or inquiry-based learning are absent from available data. This mirrors the national trend of declining IQ scores, driven by an overemphasis on testing over thinking.
  • Resource Allocation: Spending $11,197 per pupil—below state and national averages—may limit resources for advanced programs. For comparison, Massachusetts spends $22,000 per pupil and achieves top NAEP scores (294 in 8th-grade math, 2022). RCAS’s budget, while significant, isn’t translating into standout results, especially with state funding cuts (South Dakota Searchlight, 2023).

The Path Forward for Rapid City

RCAS’s $136 million budget provides a foundation—AP courses, dual credit, and a diverse student body—but it’s not producing Einstein-level excellence. To get there, Rapid City must adopt a liberty-first approach, focusing on critical thinking, innovation, and individual empowerment. My plan for South Dakota education includes constitutional studies, financial literacy, STEM with robotics and coding, and a rejection of CRT/DEI—all without federal interference. RCAS could redirect funds from test prep to inquiry-based learning, invest in STEM labs, and empower parents with school choice, ensuring that $136 million isn’t just spent—it’s invested in brilliance.

Rapid City deserves an education system that fosters true excellence, not mediocrity. Let’s demand more for our $136 million—students who can think, innovate, and lead, not just pass a test. Share if you’re ready to see Einstein-level thinkers in Rapid City! #OdomForLiberty #SouthDakotaStrong #TrumpTough #MAGA2026 #EducationFreedom #FreedomFirst #CriticalThinkingMatters #NoCRTNoDEI

Why This Report Matters

  • Budget Estimate: Estimates RCAS’s $136 million spending—52% on instruction, 35% on support services—using U.S. News Education data and typical allocations.
  • Performance Analysis: Highlights below-average proficiency (37% math, 47% reading) and lack of STEM innovation—falls short of Einstein-level excellence.
  • Liberty Critique: Notes the absence of liberty-focused education and overemphasis on testing, contributing to the national IQ drop since 2010.
  • Call for Reform: Ties to your broader plan, emphasizing critical thinking and innovation without federal overreach.

This report’s a liberty reality check—demands more for RCAS’s $136 million!