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Proposed cuts would remove middle-school Spanish immersion classes, drawing sharp objections from board and parents
Summary
District staff proposed eliminating sixth-grade immersion and removing immersion social-studies classes in grades 7–8 as part of staffing reductions; board members and parents warned the change would damage a magnet program that attracts families to the district.
PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE AREA SCHOOLS — In a contentious portion of the budget study session, district staff proposed eliminating sixth-grade Spanish immersion and cutting immersion social-studies classes in seventh and eighth grades, a move that several board members said would harm a magnet program and risk enrollment.
Administrators said the middle-school proposal was driven by low ratios in immersion at that level and larger districtwide pressure to maintain core-class averages. The district reported approximately 129 immersion students in grades 6–8 supported by roughly 1.88 FTE at one point in the discussion and said that maintaining inequities between core and immersion class sizes raised sustainability concerns.
The immersion program structure, as explained by a program presenter to the board, currently gives sixth graders both Spanish social studies and a Spanish language-arts course; seventh- and eighth-grade immersion students have two hours of Spanish daily (social studies and Spanish language arts). Under the district proposal, sixth-grade immersion would be removed and seventh- and eighth-grade students would lose the immersion social-studies course but retain a dedicated language class.
Parents and some board members responded sharply. “I’m adamantly opposed to this cut,” Director Mason said. “This is an entire program. This is an entire community that comes here and this is a magnet program that draws people to this district.” Mason warned the proposed change could depress future enrollment and argued the program’s parents and volunteers provide deep, ongoing support.
Administrators also noted practical constraints: an 'amity' or visa-supported intern program that has helped immersion in prior years is uncertain next year due to visa-fee and availability changes — although the presenter clarified that recent interns were paid for by immersion parents, not the district.
What’s next: staff said they would take board concerns back for further review and that no final personnel decisions were made during the study session. Board members asked staff to model enrollment and revenue consequences of cutting middle-school immersion before a final vote and encouraged administrators to explore alternatives that preserve the program where possible.
