From The Daughters of Kate Thomas

Let us tell you about our mom, because at the end of the day she is just that, a loving mother. She cares deeply about helping us and helping others. From letting go of her little kindergartener’s hand, telling them to be brave and to have a good first day to watching her babies graduate and go on to college, all the while holding back tears until they had walked through the doors. Five times she has done this, and she will tell you it never gets easier.

Two decades ago, our mom watched her firstborn struggle with reading, writing and learning in general. She devoted so much of her time to learning about her child’s dyslexia diagnosis. She helped others, especially other parents, see dyslexia for what it is: a learning disability.

Our mom, like many others, has felt the weight of her children’s pain. Their fear of walking through the doors, of being ridiculed and bullied. Their frustration with themselves.

Our mom took it upon herself to ensure that we received the help we needed, advocating for us when we felt we had no voice. Teaching us to use our voices and to advocate for ourselves and others. She taught us at home so we could confidently and bravely walk back into school, knowing we could do anything we put our minds to. She continuously reminded us that we’re not dumb, as we often heard at school, we just learn diFerently.

Our mom gave us hope.

This is just a peek into who Kate Thomas is, but we hope it helps you understand who she is. Know that she does all that she can for parents and their children. With your vote to reelect our mom to RCAS School Board, she will continue to stand up for you and your children, just like she did for us.

Vote Kate Thomas 2024!!

Skye, age 24
Magdalena, age 20

I support Kate Thomas for Re-Election for Rapid City Area Schools, School Board Representative Area 7. I was on the board when Kate Thomas was first elected, and I have had the pleasure of watching her grow into a very fine board member. I then left the board but returned and watched Kate get into leadership roles. I again watched Kate Thomas grow as a person and have a better understanding of what it takes to make board leadership decisions. As with all positions, whatever field you go into, there is always a learning curve. The first years are the biggest growth for a board member because you really begin to understand the complexities of your new position. One of the biggest things you learn is your vote is for the entire district and what is best for all the citizens of the district - whether you have children in school or you are retired without family in the district. The reason is that the board’s decisions always cost your tax dollars.

Kate is conservative and makes decisions on what is best for the whole district. Kate always asks how we can better the education for the students, along with keeping a strong eye on the budget. This board is still young in board experience and to not have Kate on the board with her knowledge of the system would be costly to everyone - both in the quality of education for our children and to the taxpayers of the district. Please take the time to vote and “Vote for Kate Thomas”, School Board Representative Area 7.

Kate Thomas, a mom, a wife, a full time entrepreneur, and a teacher in her own home, has selflessly devoted herself to RCAS School Board for 9 years! Kate has dedicated countless hours to the Rapid City community and school board. She is organized, committed and determined to help children thrive and be the best they can. She helps encourage parents to be involved and part of the education process. Kate is transparent, approachable and able to solve issues brought to the board. Kate stood for individual rights, she stood for medical freedom and she stood for children to have a choice! She is fearless and has proven she is what our community needs! Please vote for a mom that understands the needs of our kids!

Vote Kate Thomas!

I am proud to endorse Kate Thomas for her dedicated service as a school board member since 2015. Kate’s unwavering commitment to advocating for students with dyslexia sets her apart as a compassionate and effective leader for our school district. Her deep understanding of past and current issues facing our educational system showcases her expertise and dedication to improving the quality of education for all students.

Kate’s conservative values and Christian principals guide her decision-making process, ensuring that she upholds the best interests of our students, teachers, administration, and community. Her strong advocacy for students with dyslexia demonstrates her commitment to ensuring that every child can succeed in our schools.

I have full confidence in Kate Thomas’s ability to continue making a positive impact on our school board, and I wholeheartedly support her re-election. With Kate’s leadership, our schools will continue to provide a nurturing environment for all students.

Deb Baker

Let me tell you about an unsung hero. She is a mom of 7 kids. She has cleaned homes and businesses for 30 years to make ends meet. She has 5 children who have dyslexia. She has home schooled 3 of those dyslexic kids for periods of time to help get them where they needed to be to go back to the public school system and keep up. She has homeschooled 2 of her dyslexic kids full time, while working full time, because the public school can't meet their needs. She has never owned a new car. But she continues to serve.

I can't help but wonder how she could possibly find the time and strength to handle all of that, but that's not the end of the story. There is more. In addition to being a selfless mamabear to her own children, she has stepped up and served as a mamabear to our children on the RCAS School Board for 9 years. She has stood strong on issues that are important to me, and countless other parents, despite taking ruthless heat for doing so. She has made the right decision for our kids, over and over again, even when it was beyond tough. Despite carrying daily burdens that would buckle most folks, she is willing to give our RCAS families and kids 3 more years of holding the line and doing the right thing.

That unsung hero, that mamabear, is Kate Thomas, and she had earned our vote. She deserves our vote, like no other candidate. Our kids and our school system need our vote for Kate Thomas. She's done the right thing. Now it's our turn. Show up and vote for Kate Thomas.

Gratefully,

I have known Kate personally and professionally for more than 10 years. I first met Kate when she was passionately searching for the best way to support and teach her children, many who have dyslexia. Dyslexia comes with challenges in areas of language, but comes with creativity, strengths, and great thinking skills.

Upon hearing about a successful method to teach reading and spelling, Kate dedicated her time to learning and using that method with her own children. She applied for dual-enrollment for some of her children. This arrangement of part public school, part homeschool allowed Kate to give her children the best of both worlds.

Advocating for her own children with dyslexia and realizing that dyslexia is fairly common, Kate decided to pursue a seat on the school board of Rapid City Area Schools, where she could use her knowledge and experiences to help other families.

Over the years, Kate has shone a light on dyslexia and has spoken openly about ways to support students with dyslexia. Kate is courageous. Even on “hot topics”, she is not afraid to speak up and stand for what is best for the families and students of Rapid City Area Schools.

I fully endorse Kate Thomas for reelection to the RCAS School Board and I look forward to the bright future of students in our community.