Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools — Transcript
Monday, October 12, 2026
Laker Showcase: Summer Kids Co Garden Club and Farm to School Program
Open Forum: Support for School Levy
Committee and Administrative Reports
MCA Data and Academic Performance
Proposed Board Goals for 2026-2027
Greenwood Facility Investment
Votes (5)
Resolution for Acceptance of Gifts
Moved by Director France [1:02:51] · Seconded by Director Johnson [1:02:52]
The board considered accepting two generous donations: $1,500 from the Prior Lake Lions Club for the community education Halloween party and $2,000 from the Prior Lake Savage Optimist Club for community education youth class scholarships. The board expressed gratitude for community support.
Proposed 2026-2027 Board Goals
Moved by Director Johnson [1:12:17] · Seconded by Director France [1:12:20]
Board members reviewed and discussed proposed goals for conduct and ethics, accountability, and advocacy and communication. Director France raised concerns about goals potentially increasing administrative workload rather than being solely board work. Director Mason questioned the clarity and purpose of using existing advisory committees for community feedback in the advocacy goal, suggesting more explicit community listening sessions. Director Smith argued the goals felt more like 'tactics' rather than clear, measurable 'goals' with specific outcomes.
Purchases over $25,000 (Greenwood Furniture)
Dissent: Two unstated board members voted against the motion, with Director Mason having voiced strong opposition during discussion.
Moved by Director Johnson [1:14:41] · Seconded by Director Mason [1:14:50]
Discussion focused on a $76,000 purchase order for furniture for the Greenwood facility. Director Mason expressed discomfort with this investment, citing the original intent to achieve savings by closing the elementary school and questioning the use of taxpayer dollars from the community education fund for renovations during budget challenges. Chair Willen and Director France clarified that the funds are from Fund 4 (community education), which is separate from the general fund, and that existing furniture is being repurposed, not discarded.
Minnesota State High School League Cooperative Sponsorship Application for Boys Swimming and Diving and Boys Tennis
Moved by Director Johnson [1:19:15] · Seconded by Director France [1:19:18]
Superintendent Wagner presented a routine application to continue the existing cooperative sponsorship with Jordan Public Schools and to add Minnesota Connections Academy for Boys Swimming and Diving and Boys Tennis. This ensures continued athletic opportunities for students in these sports.
Consideration of Authorizing the District to Pursue Approval from the Minnesota Department of Education for a Pre-Labor Day School Start
Dissent: Director Smith
Moved by Director Johnson [1:21:40] · Seconded by Director Mason [1:21:42]
Executive Director Catherine clarified that the board's action was solely to authorize the district to apply to the Minnesota Department of Education for approval to start school before Labor Day for the 2027-2030 flexible learning years. This is a procedural step to allow for future calendar options to be presented, not an approval of a specific school calendar itself.
Notable Quotes (8)
Today I'd like to share a partnership between Hamilton Ridge Summer Kids Co, the Prior Lake High School Eco team, and Child Nutrition Services. Uh this project highlights one of the many ways that we extend food beyond food education beyond the cafeteria and into classrooms, gardens, and summer programming.
This partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration across our district and reflects what Laker Pride is really all about. Students, staff, and programs coming together to create meaningful learning experiences that help every student grow.
Um, and making sure we're not adding additional work on new administration in order to prepare any special reports. Usually by the end of the year, we all have already received enough information on only for the superintendent's review, but also from each department. Um, that was my only concern about number about the um, goals and number two, that this should be board work, not added work for administration.
Um I was just not understanding number three, I think, and that and just recalling the conversation at the study session, I didn't um understand identifying one initiative within each advisory committee. I don't recall talking about that.
So, for me, this is these read more like tactics, um which are certainly fine. Um these are how we achieve the goal, but I don't I don't read these as the goal.
I'm just really struggling with, you know, we chose to close an elementary school and and just reinvesting all of this money into remodeling and um, trying to understand what the overall end goal is as far as like the community ed space and and what, um, what I like, I don't know if it if it's something that will be utilized or by how many people and how, but um, you know, this isn't something that we kind of talked about prior to approving the budget.
It is not we don't move money between the general fund, which is having the budget shortfall, and supports K-12 students and non-community ed, and fund four, which is community ed, and they're kind of self-servicing. They they make their own money uh through their programs and um the expansion that they're doing I believe is is quite beneficial to help families as they are in assessment stage and are early childhood and family services which is again not our general fund which is where the money savings went and will go when we eventually sell this building.
Dr. Wagner has to fill out an application that goes to the Minnesota Department of Ed, and part of that application as process is one of the questions he has to acknowledge is whether or not that the board has at least given him that authorization to seek the state's approval.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Policy outlining expectations for open forum.
Document reviewed by the Community Education Services Advisory Council.
Upcoming plan discussed by the Community Education Services Advisory Council, due later this month.
Report detailing student enrollment numbers as of October 1st.
Governance objectives for the board, developed from self-evaluation.
State application for permission to start school before Labor Day.