Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools — Transcript
Monday, October 26, 2026
Pending Lawsuit and Closed Session Protocol
Community Concerns on School Calendar and Start Dates
Approval of 2026-2027 Board Goals
Review of 2027-2028 School Calendar Options
First Reading of Board Policies
Votes (8)
Motion to Close Meeting for Attorney-Client Privilege
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Johnson [0:00:23] · Seconded by Director Smith [0:00:25]
The Chair read a prepared statement from the attorney explaining the legal basis for closing the meeting to discuss a pending lawsuit. The board's interest in confidentiality was deemed to outweigh the public's right to hear the discussion to prevent compromising the district's legal position.
Motion to Reopen Regular Business Meeting
Dissent: None
Moved by Director France [0:00:52] · Seconded by Director Olstead [0:00:54]
Following the conclusion of the closed session, a motion was made to reopen the public business meeting.
Approval of Board Goal Number One (2026-2027)
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Atinson [0:04:36] · Seconded by Director Smith [0:04:47]
Goal number one, related to conduct and ethics, was presented. There were no proposed revisions for this goal.
Proposed Revision for Board Goal Number Two (2026-2027)
Dissent: Directors France and one other supported the revision, but it was opposed by five members.
Moved by Unknown [0:05:22] · Seconded by Director France [0:05:27]
A proposed revision for Goal number two was discussed. Concerns were raised about the measurability of the revised language, with some preferring the simplicity and clarity of the original language.
Approval of Original Language for Board Goal Number Two (2026-2027)
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Johnson [0:07:07] · Seconded by Director Smith [0:07:11]
Following the rejection of the proposed revision, a motion was made to approve the original language for Goal number two.
Proposed Revision for Board Goal Number Three (2026-2027) - Director Mason's Version
Dissent: Four members opposed the amended revision for Director Mason's proposal.
Moved by Director Mason [0:17:15] (amended her own motion) · Seconded by Director Atinson [0:08:55]
Discussion revolved around Director Mason's proposed revision for Goal number three, focusing on strengthening community partnership through board-wide opportunities. Debate centered on the broadness of the goal, potential for unconstructive public feedback, and overlap with existing community engagement efforts.
Proposed Revision for Board Goal Number Three (2026-2027) - Director France's Version
Dissent: Three members opposed the amended revision for Director France's proposal.
Moved by Director Johnson [0:18:25] (amended her own motion to include striking 'each school year') · Seconded by Director Atinson [0:18:27]
Following the failure of Director Mason's revision, Director France's revision for Goal number three was brought forward. This version emphasized community advocacy and partnership, tied to the strategic plan, with a focus on gathering feedback for future board goals. An amendment was made to remove 'each school year' from the proposed text.
Notable Quotes (5)
The open meeting law pursuant to Minnesota statute 13D.05 subdivision 3B allows the school board to close a meeting to engage in attorney client privilege discussions. The board seeks to meet with its attorney to obtain confidential legal advice related to a pending lawsuit brought by a former student.
my goal here was to make sure that the district itself is not providing us new information that they are not being tasked with coming up with a special uh comprehensive review just for our purposes to review. most of this is already delivered uh to us by the end of the year. And so that was the goal and the and the purpose for the rewarding as well as the mapping back to the strategic plan.
I don't want to sit for two hours being bitched at. I don't think it's a it's a good use of anybody's time. Now, if and I and I phrase that and I and I say that couching it as, hey, if people are upset about something, I'm all for it. I want to hear about it, but I just I don't want to sit in a room for two hours or whatever it is, it's not in here.
I don't like it at all. I don't think we need it. We do have town halls. Uh and also the language of it was duplicating what we did in the town halls as well as with the strategic plan and um and assuming that the rest of the board wanted an option three which I I totally agree with everything that director Olstead said uh then we need to make sure that we tied it back to that to the strategic plan in general and making sure that the goals were clear um and that we had actionable results that we were going to take.
I just I think this goal is really important given the fact that there was a decision made to close or to not have um public comment at study sessions and that wasn't a board decision. You know, that was more of a I believe I don't know who made that decision. But since we're not having we're reducing how much opportunity we have for our public to be able to participate in open forum, I think it's really important to have this.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
The specific state law allowing the school board to close a meeting for attorney-client privilege discussions.
Tool used for developing board goals.
District-wide guiding document referenced in board goals and calendar discussions.
Contractual obligation for teacher work days, affecting calendar planning.
District policy reviewed with no changes recommended by the committee.
District policy with a recommendation to add a letter E to match MSBA policy.
District policy reviewed with no changes recommended by the committee.
District policy with recommended changes to match MSBA language and clarify background check procedures, especially regarding professional education license and standard boards.
District policy on immediate family members, with recommendation to allow superintendent or designate to approve hires, reflecting current practice.