DAKOTA CONFERENCE
Dr. Anderson Shares His Passion for Education
D
r. Dale Anderson and his wife Janet have been involved with the Rapid City School in South Dakota for 35 years. “Our boys went to the small two-room school years ago,” he explains. Anderson said the original property was donated for a school because the land couldn’t be used for anything else. But he felt it wasn’t adequate for a school as there was no room for a gymnasium where the children could play during South Dakota’s cold winters, and the school was hidden from view. “Three years ago, I found out the school was at capacity and had a waiting list,” says Anderson. “I thought, We can’t leave that situation unanswered.” He decided another location had to be found. He began searching with Kief Hansen, a realtor from the local church. Zoning challenges A recent congressional ruling forced the Black Hills Workshop to sell several of their properties because they had trained and employed many mentally challenged individuals in one location, and that plan was no longer legal. Dr. Anderson decided that one of these properties would work, so he purchased it. In addition to Anderson’s medical practice, he has been ranching for a while. After 48 years of medical work he wanted to downsize and decided to sell one of his ranches. He used that
Photos: Jacquie Biloff
(top left and bottom) Rapid City Church’s new school building now includes a gymnasium, four classrooms and a lunchroom. Pastor Darren Purdy (left) and Dr. Dale Anderson participated in the school’s dedication.
was divine intervention in obtaining our goals,” says Anderson. It took longer than they planned with unexpected delays, and cost more than anticipated as a professional had to be hired to negotiate with the city council, but it has worked out. The teachers and kids are excited about their new school. There are classrooms with interactive smart boards, a new lunchroom and a gymnasium area. “I would love to see four classrooms with 20 students in each classroom,” money to buy the property “No, as it is zoned industrial says Anderson. “I am proud and refurbish the building and schools are not allowed of the school and the way it into a school, which he in industrial areas.” looks. It will impress people then donated to the Dakota Zoning Committee memin the community, and the Conference. There is room bers were given a tour of the new location is more visible for a gym, another area for building, but the vote was six than the previous one.” classrooms, and a lunchroom. to two—against Anderson At the time of this interThere is space for a church and his request for a school. view a fence was being as well. An observer came to him and erected and sod and cedar Anderson was certain the advised he should appeal to chips were being laid for city would allow the new use the city council. playground equipment. “Kids of the building, as there is a The city council approved are the best investments,” says preschool across the street. the plan and overrode Anderson. “The gray hairs According to the Zoning the Zoning and Planning and bald heads fade away, but and Planning Committee, Committee. “It has been the kids have so much potenhowever, the answer was, fortuitous, and I believe there tial for the future. Students
16 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG NOV/DEC 2019
