Prior Lake school board approves neighborhood consolidation, facility sale in 4-3 vote

The Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Board of Directors voted 4-3 to accept a multi-part neighborhood consolidation and facilities plan that repurposes neighborhood school assignments and authorizes the sale of the district service center (DSC). The plan, presented by district administration, reassigns La Ola/Laulo del Lago students into the Westwood building, repurposes other sites for central functions and proposes marketing the DSC for sale. The board and administration said the package is intended to reduce operating costs and align building use with current enrollment trends. Administrators told the board they had explored many alternate configurations and favored a comprehensive approach rather than piecemeal changes. Superintendent Dr. Thomas said the recommendation reflects a board directive to reduce recurring budget shortfalls and meet multi-year targets: “The board gave us a directive to find ways to meet the down, the 4.5 thereabouts in successive years. And so that's what this plan represents.” Board discussion ran long and at times emotional. Directors and public speakers raised concerns about the effect on students and families who attend neighborhood schools, the future of the district’s SAGE program, the logistics of moving central services and whether enrollment or a future levy could change the required actions. Director Mason proposed amending the motion to separate the Westwood/La Ola move from other elements to allow more study; that amendment failed. The full recommendation then passed 4-3. Administrators said the DSC sale could provide one-time proceeds to ease short-term budget pressure and that they had already received inquiries from potential buyers; they also described constraints on reusing classroom space across the district and the challenge of finding a single building with the roughly 20,000 square feet needed to relocate the DSC staff without a dedicated facility retrofit. Supporters of the plan said delaying action would prolong budget pressure and complicate staffing and state reporting deadlines that require timely notification to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Opponents said the plan could force program moves and additional transitions for students and staff, and urged the board to wait for October enrollment counts and to consult the newly hired leadership team. The board recorded the motion to accept the administration's recommendation, moved by Director France and seconded by Director Bullion; the motion carried by a 4-3 tally. The board also rejected a proposal to split the package into separate votes earlier in the debate. Administrators said implementation steps and timelines, including notifications to families and MDE, would follow board approval and that the district would monitor enrollment and fiscal signals for future adjustments.