Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools — Transcript
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Operating and Capital Levies for School Funding
Impact of Underfunding and Declining Enrollment
Financial Transparency and Community Engagement
State-Level Funding Issues and Mandates
Votes (1)
Prior Lake-Savage School District Levy Presentation and Q&A
Dissent: Community members expressed varied opinions during the Q&A, including concerns about transparency, affordability, and marketing effectiveness, but no formal dissent on a motion was recorded.
Superintendent Jim Wen and Business Director Lisa Ryder presented the rationale and details for two upcoming November ballot questions: an operating levy and a capital projects levy. The presentation covered student achievement (AP scores, MCA results), financial accountability (awards for reporting), parent satisfaction, strategic pillars, and the financial pressures from state underfunding and unfunded mandates. It also detailed budget cuts, declining enrollment trends, proposed uses of funds, and the tax impact. A significant portion was dedicated to Q&A regarding community engagement, transparency, and the long-term sustainability of district finances.
Notable Quotes (7)
we're coming to the voters in uh November for to do an operating levy and a capital levy. So be two different questions.
The difficult part we have and we run into with the mandates is that a lot of the mandates come without being funded because most mandates usually have some costs that come with them.
The last few years, we've been up getting up in the 32 and with the last two years of cuts. Now, we're looking when I'm staffing, they're about, you know, anywhere from 35 36. That means some are higher, some are lower.
An operating levy is more on positions and people that we have within the district. A capital levy is more the materials, the things that we use to keep the district going.
My fear is I come from a small town myself um where money is tight and that kind of thing. I don't want our activities all of a sudden now start becoming more of a uh if if you if you're rich or got lots of money then you could participate and for people who don't they can't.
when you look at your tax statement, the the county, they're going to set a preliminary tax levy. You don't get to vote on that. The city is going to set a preliminary tax levy. You don't get to vote on that. school district wants to raise the operating levy, you get to vote on that.
It's it's critically important that we can't just wait for this information to come to us. We have to go out and find it. We have to go out and say, 'I want to learn more.'
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Ballot question 1, replacing existing levy to fund positions and programs.
Ballot question 2, funding material needs, equipment, technology, and building repairs, designed to be tax neutral by replacing expiring bonds.
District document outlining mission, vision, and four pillars for student and community services.
State-mandated tests used to grade student performance in core subjects.
National award received for financial audit, indicating fiscal responsibility.
National award received for the district's comprehensive and public-friendly budget book.
Detailed financial document available on the district website, recognized by the Meritorious Budget Award.
State-level ballot question to increase funding to all schools from a state trust; a 'no' vote is registered if left blank.
Newsletter distributed to 20,000 households for community outreach.
State report tracking where students are served if they are not in their resident public school (e.g., open-enrolled, charter).
Implicit bond/plan for building maintenance, with some bonds expiring in 2033.