[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6247756,"mediaKeyId","3212775-5dbcccc04f85497ef7f860d026390e5b","parentId",3212775,"title","Bus driver says lack of student behavior information and phone use hamper safety; asks district for clearer rules","audioSeconds",175,"startMs",873000,"endMs",1048000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212775-5dbcccc04f85497ef7f860d026390e5b&start=873&end=1048","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212775-5dbcccc04f85497ef7f860d026390e5b/thumbnail_873000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6247756/Minnesota/Bus-driver-says-lack-of-student-behavior-information-and-phone-use-hamper-safety-asks-district-for-clearer-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247756-1a3e80ab84d67d96b41ec5b8046108a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771073545&Signature=WvabA7AeXmK8RxI6sABgBiMFFe3~WzWa7f23~cuWk8GHg3RWMcfhB4pyX9xuAICoDuq8ctlg0cwpJysVzA6BG2~miJ5orViqqrskvxwmpKgMbt7doC2vlNLXRnfCdaYEMzY7ySP7O8zQ5fdOxKd3sERSdqB3gBz205IBHrbFHseDU-Yrfv1l4nYIpFeN04bBIqK30vv0Ncbl7ae0Fbn~LoCem5VaFCINoyqxyGhd620nh8D3ejSr~duTspOhXHlFWgWdZAYKGvplceHVwA48nn18cBGvIsZFKuxwLZCD~DgYRNsb3P-JhITTbzSgpq2e~TewHoUkCzmgs~hE-7sYfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE AREA SCHOOLS","date","2025-05-07T16:29:53.947Z","article","A district bus driver addressed the board during open forum on May 5, describing a March 15 incident in which he said he disarmed a third‑grade student who was carrying a lacrosse ball, and asking for clearer communication and rules to improve safety on buses.

John Scribe identified himself as a bus driver employed by Student Transportation. He said the student’s mother reported him to police and that, as a result, he has been off driving for six weeks while the county attorney has not opened a file. Scribe said drivers are not routinely told about students’ medical or disciplinary issues at the start of the year, and he called that “a big problem, especially at the beginning of the year.” He said he has been hit twice this year by objects on his bus and described the safety risk if a driver is struck while operating the vehicle.

Scribe also urged the district to include buses in any cell‑phone usage rules, arguing that recordings and students taking pictures “cause disturbances” on buses. He said his supervisor proposed putting an extra camera on his bus and asked for that equipment to be installed. He said he wanted more information about students who present ongoing conduct issues so drivers can respond safely.

The board did not take action during the meeting on the request; Scribe’s remarks were received during the public comment period. There was no board discussion recorded in the transcript following the comment.

Ending

The driver’s comments were entered into the public record; district staff did not state immediate follow‑up actions during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 5, 2025 - Regular Meeting of the Board of Education","oneSentenceSummary","A district contract bus driver told the board he was removed from driving after a March 15 incident in which he said he disarmed a third‑grade student; the driver urged the district to share behavioral and medical information with drivers where possible and to extend phone restrictions to buses to reduce recording and disturbances.","taxTitle","PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE AREA SCHOOLS, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",38260,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6247761,"Board accepts spring grants and community gifts, including USTA resurfacing gift and athletic equipment donations",180,1903000,2083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212775-5dbcccc04f85497ef7f860d026390e5b&start=1903&end=2083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212775-5dbcccc04f85497ef7f860d026390e5b/thumbnail_1903000.jpg","/articles/6247761/Minnesota/Board-accepts-spring-grants-and-community-gifts-including-USTA-resurfacing-gift-and-athletic-equipment-donations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247761-89bc7b754e6460dca259f9e3701263a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771073545&Signature=jw3a0KVwtymGAn1wuY~4BXxhnfgZVyCiUhRW6SULZ4kOi7F~fIn0RPUTmErmrRyECqCrvUMfvZIxBPmeow1GeIci1XkaxAC2TO9EMgGtJ899-nx-cTskH5EMTiEJYHiv~y8UlLR8b3-hMsdswH9k1z1GLe83mlMFVW36u6f6Yldk7N19kdHI6Sn8FOwZesYj8pwmKYI4sf2Uaf0W1Com-~D13iPaiPcreVnz4Kjq49jzHVBC~5Cyho1iJaf76h1RS2L32ISOV~pVG-68j6nzmpgKIsDpEO1wZKAzD76fcNfcBfMNCATBzF3CyMgzrktvQlC25eGww6yNTiv1ywtkmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools Board of Education accepted multiple grants and community gifts at its May 5 meeting, including awards from the Laker Education Foundation and a donor gift from the United States Tennis Association toward resurfacing high‑school courts.

The board approved a package of smaller gifts in a single roll‑call vote, including $5,124 from the Laker Education Foundation for spring grant awards; $500 for Westwood Elementary resources; $2,500 from the Prior Lake Lions Club for community education youth scholarships; a $1,000 donation from the Prior Lake‑Savage Optimist Club for end‑of‑year service awards; $3,000 from the Prior Lake Rotary for the high‑school powwow; $1,000 from the Rotary for a mural in the high‑school media center; $33,000 from the Prior Lake High School softball boosters for a new scoreboard at Daggett Field; and other gifts for wall ball installations and school programs. That motion passed on a roll call, 7–0.

Separately the board accepted a United States Tennis Association gift of $48,075 for resurfacing the tennis courts at Prior Lake High School; that gift passed on a separate roll call vote, 7–0.

Jamie Anderson, executive director of the Laker Education Foundation, and Mary Kaylene of the foundation presented an overview of spring grant recipients. The LEF awards included partial and full funding for classroom communication boards for students with speech needs, German classroom novels, enhancements for social studies assessments, a ninth‑grade “compass” transition program, Spanish‑language STEM resources, library updates for Spanish immersion, digital clocks for some elementary sites, a high‑school calming room (a sensory regulation space), expanded play‑based learning materials, and outdoor “mud kitchen” materials. Several grants were partially funded and the foundation plans a “fund‑a‑need” appeal at its Food Truck Fest on May 17 to close remaining gaps.

Ending

Board members thanked the foundation and community donors; staff will coordinate implementation of the grants with building principals and will follow procurement rules for larger installations such as the tennis court resurfacing and scoreboard purchases.","The board approved acceptance of spring grants and several community gifts, including a USTA donation toward resurfacing tennis courts, booster donations for athletic facilities, and several classroom and program grants awarded by the Laker Education Foundation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6247766,"District reports early success with stricter cell‑phone rules at middle and high schools",228,159000,387000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212775-5dbcccc04f85497ef7f860d026390e5b&start=159&end=387","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212775-5dbcccc04f85497ef7f860d026390e5b/thumbnail_159000.jpg","/articles/6247766/Minnesota/District-reports-early-success-with-stricter-cellphone-rules-at-middle-and-high-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247766-9f0886614de8755476ca20a6b2e358db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771073545&Signature=Emt25H5n8gXTTOOjZ9p3D1dAxKW5jU2pgWVngbIc6UFbZs-fyRbAxEO~VDhMi8HKzq0y6KXZWQaE8BeA~xTFumEPuzomTcrEnpMFIWsFys4e62ZiMVs9Rnu8bTc96AtjUD1fIZ6KMBrXoHlSw7kcFjbekCRGJmTaEVBvDWYnpYnxy27NuEOBoSyr7vzhEODUv-1UXcix0boHRV7twPqH1SmP-wLrXFxL~yIeyhnfgtbwBezTp4ohzbQMq1dB~pYWpYNtwnAdgrIuWUXgU6kUWleKmkYQFk6B0VYB2QUfBK06T4d0K4X-GImLptyZRQpeuUS91YgKlFD~wg0bUIVDCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools leaders told the board on May 5 that new limits on cell‑phone use at the middle and high school levels have been implemented this year and are largely meeting expectations.

Principal Kabushak (middle school) said staff support drove the change. Middle school students are required to keep phones in backpacks or lockers from 7:20 a.m. (first bell) until 2:06 p.m. Kabushak said the policy “has gone well” and that staff initially collected “a couple phones a day” while communications with families and repeated classroom reminders helped with compliance. He said the district needs to do more outreach to parents because “the number one rule breakers are the parents texting their students during the school day.”

High school principal George Biesek said the high school limited phones to class time — “cell phones off during class time” — and that a midyear survey of about 105 staff and roughly 1,500 students showed a large gap between staff and student perceptions. Biesek reported that 89% of staff agreed or strongly agreed that the policy had a positive impact on students’ ability to focus, while about 20% of students said the same. Staff responses showed 80% thought students interacted more with peers while students rated that effect at 15%. When asked if the district should continue the policy, 83% of staff supported continuation versus 14% of students.

Board members asked whether the district has seen measurable academic gains; administrators said it is difficult to isolate cell‑phone policy as a single causal factor and that comments about improved focus and fewer phone‑related disruptions are largely anecdotal at this stage. The high school and middle school administrators said teachers report better engagement and fewer phone‑related incidents.

Ending

Administrators said the district will continue quarterly reminders and family outreach, and that the board will be kept informed as the district monitors behavioral and academic indicators.","District principals and the superintendent reported the new rule keeping middle‑schoolers' phones away from 7:20 a.m. to 2:06 p.m. has gone smoothly; a high school survey showed staff support but far lower student enthusiasm for the policy.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6247771,"Board hears detailed budget briefing as staff explain restricted reserves, LTFM and planned May 19 study session",230,2776000,3006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212775-5dbcccc04f85497ef7f860d026390e5b&start=2776&end=3006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212775-5dbcccc04f85497ef7f860d026390e5b/thumbnail_2776000.jpg","/articles/6247771/Minnesota/Board-hears-detailed-budget-briefing-as-staff-explain-restricted-reserves-LTFM-and-planned-May-19-study-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247771-d97af0ad233d55da2e74ade79dba7710/orig.mp4?Expires=1771073545&Signature=BqDF9K5s34Jb6joPavGeNrkjKZIBVpqMS21bID2iOpzdi8NM6-lTGjtLb5EzILFzRPRSCL-tS0pzm3dj46JNGKa33kdFQrSdELmRVMYiY79z72UHQfgbuk3T1WrXqev83QnWPL1y1XnziVgERbtSGKWoTdLGn3ns~DJWLtbofXGdPOxiLNys7i1R9EfCvsSewOB00iJzfCBBgzPyfnxUgwmTDun7yqvr9YGhMhTQfj0EBaHU4Qw9~v4T5-maKOqpykq2~yu0bzPj8abBUOSh6Sm93VIQ415Usx5b9Sw3arFRLICHtty265pgAv0mAlbWr6VCa6X1DjubGRunOuQb4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance director Tammy Frederickson told the Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board on May 5 that staff are preparing a more detailed budget breakout for the May 19 study session after the board’s Finance Advisory Committee requested additional information.

Frederickson said the district’s current budget worksheets show a planned use of roughly $982,000 in restricted fund balance across several categories (literacy aid, capital / LTFM, staff development and compensatory funds) and that when those restricted reserves are included, projected revenue for the next fiscal year is about $122,200,000. She said special education budgets were not reduced in the current round of $4 million in cuts and therefore will show increases in salary lines.

Board members pressed staff for a clearer, line‑by‑line explanation of why projected expenses shifted from the October forecast to the current numbers. Director Johnson and others requested historical comparisons and a roll‑forward showing where the $4.1 million of cuts were applied and where $2.4 million of expense increases appeared.

District staff explained the difference between unrestricted fund balance (district reserves) and restricted or “earmarked” reserves that arrive with statutory or program restrictions. Frederickson said some restricted money — for example staff development and REED Act/literacy training funds — can only be used for specific purposes and that unused portions are kept in restricted reserves to be spent on those future, eligible items.

On LTFM (Long‑Term Facilities Maintenance) funds, Director of Facilities explained that Minnesota Department of Education practice asks districts to match LTFM planning to a 10‑year cycle and discourages holding large carryovers; LTFM is intended for building capital and maintenance items and generally cannot be used to hire staff. The board discussed the trade‑off between spending down LTFM reserves for planned projects and retaining a cushion for unplanned building failures.

Board members asked staff to prepare a clear, itemized comparison — showing prior forecasts, the $4 million in cuts, and the current projections — for the May 19 meeting. Staff also said they will present more detailed documentation on literacy and staff‑development reserves, restrictions tied to those funds, and any one‑time versus ongoing costs.

Ending

The board scheduled a May 19 study session to review the detailed budget worksheets; staff will return with historical comparisons, a line‑by‑line accounting of changes since the October forecast, and clarification of what restricted reserves may be used for.","District finance staff briefed the Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board on revenue, restricted fund balances including literacy and staff‑development reserves, and Long‑Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) rules; staff will present detailed line‑item changes and scenarios at a May 19 study session.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6247776,"Parents, teacher warn proposed cuts would push Hamilton Ridge fifth‑grade classes to 32–33 students",402,1300000,1702000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212775-5dbcccc04f85497ef7f860d026390e5b&start=1300&end=1702","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212775-5dbcccc04f85497ef7f860d026390e5b/thumbnail_1300000.jpg","/articles/6247776/Minnesota/Parents-teacher-warn-proposed-cuts-would-push-Hamilton-Ridge-fifthgrade-classes-to-3233-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247776-776713c864b32a572390323419c35289/orig.mp4?Expires=1771073546&Signature=T6e4dVi-EHURrwtSyyX4seClPXs-s52VPk7jVRR54ID3WqDQoxC1ea1FWNLvU~HzMdcgT1c2f4P2hZk6a0LbQaWfMGRa~4u2RmDYUkoj1CUO0axjwYIutBbweDbRcepYpXgjlpHKPrNzw5fZW7VsUMYaDFHajO4UXeVIGouwGXWM8uihyXUFU8Gk5~541G9Vv2rweiYgsRvDIus~KYp5WLLAEvbz1RrPxGyrylWFbbWdaX4Oee8yBH0GhvU0q-RqKc5A4FkOCXvfK7JON0BiEIW3bO68SsDFuRbIeRk2sMVDLYomjjtyogzuwaSbJ5WpwX0gZhgYZL-roURbxQVtaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents and a teacher at Hamilton Ridge Elementary pressed the Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools Board of Education on May 5 to abandon a proposal that would eliminate a fifth‑grade teaching position and increase class sizes to about 32–33 students.

Mark Kleckner, a parent of second‑ and fourth‑grade students, told the board that pushing fifth‑grade classes to 32 or 33 “contradicts our district’s educational mission and is detrimental to student success.” He said large classes limit teachers’ ability to provide individual attention at a “critical age.”

John Lenio, another Hamilton Ridge parent, said his fourth grader is currently in a class of 24 and that projected enrollment would put the child in a classroom of “32 to 33 students.” He said he understands the district’s budget constraints following the November levy defeat but urged the board to “reconsider class size caps across all grade levels.”

A fifth‑grade teacher, represented at the meeting by parent Amy Sernicki reading the teacher’s statement, said a class of 33 students would make small‑group instruction and family communication “exceedingly difficult.” The teacher asked the board to “consider adding an additional section of fifth grade to ensure a more effective and supportive learning environment.”

Board members did not take formal action on the requests during the meeting. Director Frederickson and staff said enrollment and staffing will continue to be monitored through the summer and that class sizes are “closely monitored” with adjustments possible as enrollment data changes. Superintendent Thomas said staffing and enrollment figures are updated weekly and that any necessary changes are made into the summer.

The board scheduled a deeper budget discussion for May 19; speakers and several board members said that meeting will include more detailed staffing and enrollment breakdowns the public can review. Several parents urged the board to make alternative budget choices so the district does not rely on the scenario that would create 32–33 pupil classes.

Ending

Parents and the teacher asked the board to prioritize classroom sizes when finalizing the 2025–26 budget; the board directed staff to continue monitoring enrollments and to present updated, itemized budget and staffing information at the May 19 study session.","Several Hamilton Ridge parents and a fifth‑grade teacher urged the Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board to reverse a proposal that would eliminate a fifth‑grade teaching position and raise class sizes to about 32–33 students, saying the change would harm instruction and family communication.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bus driver says lack of student behavior information and phone use hamper safety; asks district for clearer rules

Board accepts spring grants and community gifts, including USTA resurfacing gift and athletic equipment donations

District reports early success with stricter cell‑phone rules at middle and high schools

Board hears detailed budget briefing as staff explain restricted reserves, LTFM and planned May 19 study session

Parents, teacher warn proposed cuts would push Hamilton Ridge fifth‑grade classes to 32–33 students