Legislators brief Prior Lake‑Savage board on session priorities as district narrows 2025 platform

Representative Jess Hansen (state representative, District 55A), Senator Eric Pratt (state senator, Senate District 54) and other state lawmakers met with the Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board to preview education bills and hear district concerns about rising mandate costs and the state funding formula.

Board members and legislators framed the discussion around three near‑term priorities the district will emphasize at the Capitol: a review of the K‑12 funding formula and local optional revenue; a work group to review state assessments; and changes to K‑3 discipline and several under‑funded mandates, including Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), paid family medical leave and state unemployment funding for school districts.

Why it matters: District officials and lawmakers said those items are driving local budget pressure and increased staffing costs, and could force property tax increases if state aid does not offset new requirements. Senator Eric Pratt noted the state faces a multibillion‑dollar budget swing, saying the…