The Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools board will look to further refine its policies and create a legacy document for future use.

In previous meetings, the board discussed creating a handbook for members to use as a reference when questions arose about policies or procedures. To that end, executive assistant Martha Walz had created a handbook template for the board to review.

It was agreed at the board’s Feb. 24 study session that the template would be emailed to each board member so that they can evaluate the handbook and add any comments or suggestions. Superintendent Michael Thomas pointed out that they had prefilled some blank spots to be used as “conversation starters” when reviewing the handbook. The board will discuss the proposed handbook during the March 24 study session.

The board is also tasked with the ongoing review and revision of the PLSAS school board’s organizational policies. Board member Mary Frantz pointed out that these policies would go hand in hand with what is covered in the board handbook and suggested considering the policies at the same time as the handbook.

Since board members Charles Johnson and Amy Bullyan are members of the Minnesota School Board Association policy committee, it was decided that they would take the lead on the handbook and policy revision project. They will use the MSBA policy template as a guide and also decide which of our board’s policies should be prioritized.

Board member Lisa Atkinson stressed the need for expediency with the project.

“There are key policies that affect our community, so I’m wondering if those could come forth sooner than later,” she said.

The board decided that the policy revisions and handbook should be completed before the end of the school’s fiscal year, which is June 30. There are fifteen policies to be reviewed. The board will discuss a selected number of policies at each of the upcoming board study sessions.

Special election date set

On Election Day in November, Prior Lake will have another race added to the ballot.

During its Feb. 24 study session, the PLSAS school board decided on the date of its upcoming special election.

One board seat will be contested in the election. Dan White, the board’s current chairperson, was appointed on Sept. 23 to serve as a replacement for former board member Enrique Velazquez. White was assigned to serve the remainder of Velazquez’s term until a special election in 2025.