Rapid City Area Schools Chief Financial and Operations Officer Coy Sasse joins Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer to break down the proposed $107 million school bond and answer some of the biggest questions surrounding it. What exactly would the money pay for? Why can’t the district use the money it already has? Where does lottery money actually go? How could the bond affect property taxes, and what happens if it doesn’t pass?

Coy explains the projects included in the proposal, from HVAC and safety upgrades to a new elementary school and renovations at existing schools. He also discusses how bond dollars would be monitored, the district’s long-term facilities plan and why Rapid City’s continued growth is part of the conversation.

It’s a numbers-heavy topic without the numbers-heavy headache, giving listeners information they can use to better understand the proposal before heading to the polls Nov. 3.

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Rapid City Area Schools Teacher of the Year Katey Swank thought she had it all figured out when she walked into her first classroom. By the end of day one, she was sitting in a tiny chair trying not to cry.

Then someone showed up for her.

Twenty years later, Katey shares how that simple act of support helped shape the teacher, mentor and colleague she would become. From the educators who helped her find her footing to the students who discovered they could help each other grow, Katey reflects on why collaboration is about much more than meetings, committees or programs.

It’s about people.

In this special episode of the Public School Podcast, Katey shares a powerful message about belonging, teacher retention, community and the relationships that keep educators going when the work gets hard. And she leaves all of us with one question worth carrying into the school year: Who will you show up for?

Photo Credit: Jesse Brown Nelson, BHFCU’s School Support Drive

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What happens when three fifth-grade teachers decide to grow a garden inside their school? A whole lot more than lettuce.

Meadowbrook Elementary teachers Katie Swank, Kylie Blank and Lacey Brown join Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer to share how a hydroponics project turned into a hands-on learning experience for their students. With support from the Rapid City Public School Foundation, Meadowbrook PTA and Nerdy Nuts, students took ownership of two hydroponic towers, learning how to plant, monitor pH levels, maintain the system, document their progress and eventually harvest what they grew.

But the lessons went far beyond science. Students learned patience, teamwork, communication, responsibility and even how to teach younger students about hydroponics. They harvested lettuce that was served during school lunch, grew flowers for teachers and discovered firsthand where food comes from.

The teachers also share the moments when things did not exactly go according to plan, including walking into school to find a hydroponic leak and a whole lot of water.

Now the project is growing again. Meadowbrook fifth graders are taking what they learned outdoors with plans for a new garden, while adding lessons in financial literacy and exploring how the food they grow could be shared with families and the community.

It all started with a teacher who loved gardening, a grant application and a willingness to try something completely new. Now it is creating the kind of school memories students may carry with them long after fifth grade.

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The library is about a whole lot more than checking out books. Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Aly Quinn, events coordinator at the Rapid City Public Library, to talk about the programs, partnerships and creative ideas helping make reading fun for kids and families.

Aly shares how the library is challenging the community to read 250,000 books, why giving kids the freedom to choose what they read can help reluctant readers, and why graphic novels absolutely count. They also talk about the library’s dinosaur-filled summer, kindergarten prep, book clubs, STEM activities, teen programs and the importance of creating a place where people can connect.

Plus, the conversation gets into the renewed popularity of classics like Little House on the Prairie and The Odyssey, the role libraries can play in improving literacy, and why sometimes the best way to raise a reader is simply helping them find the right book.

And because no library conversation would be complete without it, there’s also a confession involving an overdue book.

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In this episode of the Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer welcome Stevens High School Band Director George Dragoo to discuss an unforgettable 12-day journey through Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. After a nine-year wait for another international tour, 68 students experienced the trip of a lifetime, performing in historic venues, exploring world history and discovering firsthand that music truly is a universal language.

George shares how performing in centuries-old cathedrals, visiting historic landmarks, and connecting with audiences from around the world helped students grow not only as musicians, but as confident, independent young adults. He also reflects on the powerful support of the Rapid City Public School Foundation, the Johnson Trust, dedicated families and Band Boosters, whose generosity helped make the experience possible.

The conversation also highlights the lifelong impact of music education, the value of travel, and why public schools continue to create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. From world premieres and award-winning performances to funny stories about "five-minute walks," this episode is a celebration of the experiences that shape students into global citizens.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.