Sioux Falls District Struggles to Secure Church Property

The school district has been unable to contact owners of a church site needed for a new middle school project.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Secondary Education

Empty prairie lot with small survey stakes under a bright blue Midwestern sky. — The Sioux Falls School District continues to seek property owners for a critical land acquisition project needed to replace the aging Whittier Middle School. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the school district pursue eminent domain to acquire vacant property for new school construction?

The Sioux Falls School District is facing a land acquisition hurdle as it works to secure the final parcels for a new middle school construction project. Officials have been unable to contact the owners of the Light of the World Pentecostal Church at 501 Fairfax Ave despite 18 months of effort.

Why it matters

Securing all 31 necessary parcels is essential for the district to finalize land assembly for the new facility, which is intended to replace the 103-year-old Whittier Middle School. The property acquisition process remains a critical step before the district can move forward with a potential $105 million bond issue.

The church site at 501 Fairfax Ave was last assessed at $45,525 in 2015 and recorded a $121 tax payment in 2023. The property, built in 1940, has not hosted religious services for at least five years.

The players

Sioux Falls School District

This is the primary public educational institution serving students in the city.

Whittier Middle School

The current building is a 103-year-old facility that the district plans to replace.

The details

Superintendent and district officials have attempted to contact the identified owners through emails, phone calls, and in-person visits to no avail. The site is one of three remaining parcels required to complete the land assembly for the future replacement of Whittier Middle School.

1940: Construction of the church building.
2018: Voters approved a $190 million bond issue.
September 2026: District held two public meetings.
November 6, 2026: Deadline for community survey feedback.
May 18, 2027: Proposed date for bond issue public vote.

Culture Shift

The district's current infrastructure strategy reflects a broader trend of municipal efforts to modernize aging educational facilities through sustained voter-approved funding. This project extends the precedent set by the 2018 Sioux Falls $190 million bond issue.

Residents should be aware that the status of this property acquisition directly influences the timeline for the proposed $105 million school bond vote. The outcome will determine whether the district can proceed with plans to replace the outdated middle school facility.

The takeaway

Large-scale infrastructure projects frequently face delays due to complex land assembly requirements that can persist for years. Homeowners and community members should stay informed about upcoming public meetings to understand how these delays impact long-term district planning.

What happens next

The school board is expected to consider approving a formal bond issue proposal in late January. Voters could officially decide on the $105 million bond measure in the election scheduled for May 18, 2027.