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District honors life‑saving responders, celebrates band invitation and national budget award
Summary
The board recognized staff and community members for saving a concert attendee's life, celebrated Prior Lake High School percussion ensemble's invitation to the Midwest Clinic and accepted the Association of School Business Officials meritorious budget award.
The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board on Jan. 13 publicly thanked and recognized staff, students and community responders whose actions helped save a concert attendee's life, celebrated the Prior Lake High School percussion ensembleinvitation to the Midwest Clinic, and presented the district business office with the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) meritorious budget award for fiscal year 2024‑25.
Superintendent Dr. Thomas told the board that a medical emergency at a recent middle school concert led to “numerous medical staff, first responders, [and] some school staff” providing aid that the family said “literally saved a life.” Anna Brinson came forward at the meeting; a family member read a prepared statement on behalf of the Moffand/Moffield family giving “sincere gratitude” and recounting interventions that included chest compressions, AED shocks and subsequent hospital care. The statement said the patient received two AED shocks, was intubated, later received two cardiac stents and is recovering in transitional care. The family described the person saved as “our Christmas miracle.”
Dr. Thomas presented certificates to Rachel Liebenow and Heidi Burton, and acknowledged Officer Kelch and a retired firefighter who wished to remain anonymous, and noted many others were involved.
The board also heard from Justin Schram, Prior Lake High School band director, about the high school's percussion ensemble being invited to perform at the 78th Annual Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago. Schram described the multi‑year, competitive application process and noted the ensemble was the first Minnesota high school percussion ensemble invited since the 1970s; the district sought and received a state proclamation naming Dec. 18, 2024, Prior Lake High School Percussion Ensemble Day in Minnesota.
In the business office, Dr. Thomas and staff recognized the team that prepared the meritorious budget application. The district's application to the Association of School Business Officials International earned the meritorious budget award for exceptional budget presentation for fiscal year 2024‑25. Staff members Jess, Beth and Andrea joined Tammy Frederickson for the presentation; Frederickson said the award supports transparency and can help with bond ratings.
