[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":73},"mediaId",6230612,"mediaKeyId","3442116-acc59bd01261b6b85dd2efdfabe7e7cd","parentId",3442116,"title","Board hears $4.1 million budget cuts, transportation overages and enrollment snapshot","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2057000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442116-acc59bd01261b6b85dd2efdfabe7e7cd&start=2057&end=2057","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442116-acc59bd01261b6b85dd2efdfabe7e7cd/thumbnail_2057000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6230612/Minnesota/Board-hears-41-million-budget-cuts-transportation-overages-and-enrollment-snapshot","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230612-d4ece4583789fb5878099fffd74014bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1774929534&Signature=Q3J5Hyyz4pT7xCOrLDKyXGQ7fHW6VvaV1yS-eFaToM4QjTHHXqQ8fzLnHSrFKxk1VSF-Qu4ie7QYBIy-ftSVDqzB04R45G6Drncw~ZBe4lhser4-cyumjcl4FdEiy-BEru~JIKBBTfqyVje6YdmhMBbNOMmVfV7fcV98BlqIMIW9gxp5qxfkXGbgmKyuY0qEy0ULdve0DrK00HcZpZG~lIcfPV3zDUDrYtm2rSBn9Gy1aRmExpdv66pyBZEZ9XoVE06QGLcAgWYPr0-g4CIvwrHmhOljnjwP6mmmjHSOxnIvuBG9mOvZPKLzy2bgJseh0HDcRrWldYRM-TWhIo6L5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE AREA SCHOOLS","date","2025-05-22T08:31:13.47Z","article","Director Frederickson reviewed the district's cash flow and preliminary budget for 2025–26, telling the board staff had reduced projected year-end expenditures from an earlier gap to a smaller variance and that the proposed 2025–26 preliminary budget includes roughly $4.1 million in reductions.

Frederickson said the cash‑flow report presented at the study session shows significant progress since the report provided two months earlier. \"Now 2 months later, the cash flow report will show that, we are down to $3.364000,\" he said, describing the narrower projected shortfall (staff clarified the figure during the discussion). The report also reflects a prior‑year audit adjustment and board‑approved use of fund balance.

On the 2025–26 forecast, Frederickson explained how the original October forecast was updated to reflect current actuals and an assumed 2.5% inflation factor; applying the updated starting point and inflation produced projected expenditures that led staff to recommend $4.1 million in reductions for the preliminary budget. \"If we increase it to what we know is gonna be the actuals and then apply that inflationary factor, then, that's where we get to the 128,000,000 projected expenditures, which is why we cut the 4,100,000.0 for next year's budget,\" Frederickson said.

Board members asked about major drivers of expense increases. Frederickson pointed to special education costs (an 8.2% increase driven by unchanged staffing levels combined with negotiated salary increases) and sites-and-buildings allocations, where Long‑Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) carryovers and pay‑as‑you‑go projects caused the sites-and-buildings line to grow compared with the earlier forecast. He also described transportation as a continuing pressure and said an RFP for transportation services will be issued in the fall for the 2025–26 school year because the current contract runs for one more year.

Frederickson said the district is monitoring expenditures through the end of the fiscal year and will continue to try to close remaining gaps. He told the board the June 9 budget to be approved will show balanced revenue and expenses of about $123.2 million; if the state education funding picture changes materially, the district will prepare an amended budget and return to the board with a resolution.

On enrollment, staff reported K–12 enrollment at about 8,601 students (25 more than the same time last year and 18 fewer than October 1), and kindergarten enrollment at 499 students, of which 103 are open‑enrolled (four of those open‑enrolled into Westwood). The board scheduled further discussion on school‑closure/consolidation recommendations later in the meeting packet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 19, 2025 Study Session - PART 1 of 3","oneSentenceSummary","Director Frederickson reported progress narrowing a year-end shortfall and presented a preliminary 2025–26 budget that reduces planned expenditures by about $4.1 million; transportation overages, special education cost increases and LTFM allocations were highlighted. Kindergarten enrollment stands at 499 with 103 open‑enrolled students.","taxTitle","PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE AREA SCHOOLS, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",38260,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230616,"Board considers 5% rise in facility rental rates, new priority for for‑profit renters",318,938000,1256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442116-acc59bd01261b6b85dd2efdfabe7e7cd&start=938&end=1256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442116-acc59bd01261b6b85dd2efdfabe7e7cd/thumbnail_938000.jpg","/articles/6230616/Minnesota/Board-considers-5-rise-in-facility-rental-rates-new-priority-for-forprofit-renters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230616-af3e057a9f82e0672f41f5e0e7eee394/orig.mp4?Expires=1774929534&Signature=cfYlUbFkJzJQkP~ukAuOLo9HUsNMme31IoL~gSiTD6MkLAm~Qvcsne75dOgzlv1FkLUBlZRln~erNBMXDI2YT500OxBZPxuOp147rS-x2JNB8OOVGtyBcanj-d8b3mshOVyVGhvFb45KaN--CbQQEj4Co7RU6cj31NFE7aM~adbsemeJXVVhF0HIJsChcj0-3Jm86Cfnne74rfTOMWcaDzCCDcTMUbBgLm44TYr~Dc7Epa4ftjKklgAp5f6VsdMumnmm8mnwiSkJfV18FkstG~VVO0wEm8XRSgG7ZqQNEHEkSkU7e6f1gUSc0lY-xO7n7iG2b4Dscfz9el2nbKoyjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Dahl, with facility-use coordinator Gina Fern, presented a proposal to increase district facility rental fees by 5% and to add a fifth priority level that separates for‑profit rentals from out-of-district nonprofit users. The fee changes are presented as part of the annual budget review; the board will consider the proposal as an action item on June 9.

Dahl said the district does not raise facility fees every year and typically raises fees every two to three years to moderate each increase. \"This year, we're proposing a 5% increase on all rental fees across the board,\" Dahl said, and added the district last adjusted most fees in the 2021–22 school year. He told the board the pool and turf had a more recent increase because those facilities have higher operating costs.

The new priority 5 would be applied to for‑profit businesses such as private dance companies or martial arts programs that come into the district to rent space. Dahl explained that most user groups (about 80%) fall under the district's community priority 2. When asked for a revenue estimate, Dahl said the district projects roughly $283,000 in facility revenue this fiscal year and a 5% increase on the roughly 80% of that revenue from priority 2 users provides a ballpark estimate of the gain.

Board members sought examples and clarification on priority tiers and asked whether capacity differences between gym categories explained price differences. Gina Fern, the facility use coordinator, was present as staff contact for follow-up questions.

The fee adjustment and priority change are scheduled as an action item for the June 9 board meeting; no vote was taken at the study session.","District staff recommended a 5% across-the-board increase in facility rental fees and added a fifth priority tier to separate for‑profit renters; projected incremental revenue estimated from 2024–25 activity levels.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230620,"District proposes higher participation fees, flat game admission to close budget gap",758,1279000,2037000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442116-acc59bd01261b6b85dd2efdfabe7e7cd&start=1279&end=2037","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442116-acc59bd01261b6b85dd2efdfabe7e7cd/thumbnail_1279000.jpg","/articles/6230620/Minnesota/District-proposes-higher-participation-fees-flat-game-admission-to-close-budget-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230620-0bf73cbc38b22b677518d113e98746c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774929534&Signature=MBPtvqiBsvNgwCK8DKFnpB7ndZ3CiQnahE9nuAPtGvChZeDDD6ksM8bm08Z~xQrBj-UzxjcVCxQ-Lnw78sK1Uj34w5bo~rU86nqxfrtGA2fwvu2FXhYTZC0GSe0UFWiIlcd9SWviDVLKBuyxlDeNxge-UxhiQgjatYC70yikybz7b5LlmPuWHCoGvaGCKp-LnxtkIroEVPjoHVQ1Dvsfuv2fvjMTk4OxIHDYKuQLSyp0g9sSnMG~dUOWVUCM3g4JpTo70fGLif6YjaF7sd6-gK3x-D0st0cie7ly6OJRYh-bA6dAqv7sW4R5-GuVi6Z1FEE6h4LoUAyHFkSqCtCSOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Marshall presented the school district's proposal to raise athletics and activities fees and change ticketing as part of the district's effort to reduce a projected budget shortfall. The proposal would raise participation fees for most sports, eliminate the family maximum, raise the student activity pass from $60 to $100, and move to a flat $9 admission for all spectators.

Marshall said the district expects the participation-fee increases to generate about $150,000 and a $2-per-ticket rise (to a $9 flat rate) to add about $75,000, for roughly $225,000 in additional revenue. \"By increasing these participation rates to those that we are proposing, we will see approximately $150,000 in increased revenue,\" Marshall said. He told the board the increases would generally mirror the highest rates charged by districts in the South Suburban Conference.

The superintendent and Marshall framed the changes as part of a broader response to the district's financial outlook. Marshall said many stipend rates for activity advisors and coaches are below conference averages and that low stipends contribute to losing candidates to other districts: \"...we haven't seen an increase at all with that piece,\" he said. The district also proposed eliminating the family maximum payment; Marshall noted other districts are moving away from family caps.

Marshall said the district will keep and continue to award need-based scholarships and that students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunches are automatically eligible for fee waivers. \"We will never and have never turned people away from participation in athletics and activities due to financial difficulty at all,\" he said, adding the district typically asks families who receive scholarships to contribute a minimum of $25 to promote accountability.

On ticketing, Marshall said the district plans to move toward an online system that cannot easily distinguish ticket-buyer age categories, which is one reason for the flat admission price. The district will keep a cash option and a punch pass (proposed at $75) for families who prefer it. He also said the student activity pass already includes access to hockey games because of the district's arrangement with Dakota Ice and Fitness.

Board members asked how the changes would affect families with multiple participants and whether the district could better advertise scholarship options. Director White and other members urged clear pre-season communication so families know about assistance before registration. Marshall responded the district will promote scholarships privately and publicize the availability of assistance ahead of registration deadlines.

The proposal will be an action item on the board's June 9 meeting agenda. No formal board action occurred at this study session.","Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools staff proposed raising participation fees, eliminating the family maximum and moving to a flat $9 game admission to generate an estimated $225,000 in new revenue; the board will vote June 9.","actionData","errors"]

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Board hears $4.1 million budget cuts, transportation overages and enrollment snapshot

Board considers 5% rise in facility rental rates, new priority for for‑profit renters

District proposes higher participation fees, flat game admission to close budget gap