Castlewood School Library Returns to Full Service with Community Foundation Support
- Steve Jurrens
- Dec 23, 2025
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Castlewood, SD - As students get ready for Christmas break, a key moment in the Castlewood School District’s progress was marked by a visit from the Watertown Area Community Foundation (WACF). Board members recently toured the school to see the new library circulation desk, which has been in regular use since the library reopened two weeks ago.
The project was made possible by a $12,166.57 grant awarded by the Foundation in the spring of 2025. The funding addressed a critical gap in the school’s long-term reconstruction following the devastating 2022 tornado.
Completing the Recovery
While much of the school has been rebuilt since the storm, rising construction costs created budgetary challenges, leaving some essential elements—like the library desk—unfunded, the Foundation’s board identified the desk as a priority to ensure the library could once again serve as a fully functional hub for the district’s 350 students.
The grant follows a long history of regional support for Castlewood. In the immediate aftermath of the 2022 tornado, the Watertown area raised over $55,000 through the WACF Area Relief Fund to support initial cleanup and rebuilding efforts.
A Focus on Education
For the Foundation, the investment aligns with its core mission to bolster regional education. The library serves not only the student body but also educators and staff who utilize the space as a central learning resource.
“Education is one of the Foundation’s key priorities, and access to learning tools like a school library is essential,” said Cammie Mengwasser, Executive Director of the Watertown Area Community Foundation. “Having a fully functional library supports student learning, curiosity, and opportunity, and we’re proud to help ensure Castlewood students have that resource available to them.”
The completion of the circulation desk marks a symbolic and practical end to a major chapter of the rebuilding process, restoring a sense of normalcy and discovery to the Castlewood academic environment.
Regional Impact
Though based in Watertown, the Foundation continues to play an active role in strengthening neighboring communities. This latest contribution underscores a sustained commitment to regional partnership and the belief that a stronger Castlewood contributes to a stronger region.
