GENERAL CAMPAIGN QUESTIONS
Why is Red Cloud School conducting a campaign and
why now?
The answer to this question has several parts. First, several
buildings on our campus have structural issues that must be
addressed. Frankly, these issues should have been addressed
years ago. The extensive art collection in the Heritage Center,
for example, is not protected from fire, temperature and water
damage. The deteriorating condition of Drexel Hall makes it
challenging for our students to study there in the library and
for our guests and residents to stay there.
Second, and more important, we have an opportunity to make
improvements to our campus that will positively impact our
students, teachers and staff. This is a win-win for Red Cloud
School.
Finally, several donors have already made generous
commitments to this effort, which allows us to launch this
campaign from a position of strength. Now is the time to make
a lasting impact for our school and our community.
Didn’t we run a different campaign recently? How much
money was raised and how were those funds allocated?
Yes. The “3 P’s Campaign” raised approximately $15 million
dollars and was completed in 2019. Monies were allocated
to recruit and retain teachers ($2 million), fund student
scholarships ($3.6 million), provide innovative educational
programming ($3.2 million), improve housing ($1.3 million),
and address maintenance items (heating, cooling, and window
replacement) ($4.5 million).
Is this campaign part of a more extensive plan for Red
Cloud School?
The projects included in this campaign stem from previous
studies and planning conducted by Red Cloud leaders, most
notably the Educational Campus Long Range Plan completed
in 1971. The latest version of this plan, which resulted from
a six-month effort to clarify campus-wide goals and identify
opportunities and deficiencies, was initiated in March 2021.
The school then initiated a campaign planning study in
late 2021 to test support for the projects. Based on positive
feedback, the Board of Directors voted to move forward with
a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
How will the Pine Ridge community benefit from this
campaign?
Red Cloud School, as one of the biggest employers at Pine
Ridge, directly impacts our extended community. A thriving
and healthy school means a thriving and healthy community.
Projects included in this campaign are aimed at attracting
more visitors to the region, starting with the new Heritage
Center, which will impact our economy. We envision the
center serving as a hub for local and regional artists to display
their work. We envision a renovated Heritage Center being
better able to display the works that are now housed there
but remain in storage. The Black Elk initiative could have a
different kind of impact, providing needed social services to
area families.