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Prior Lake News Compass

Prior Lake News Compass

Informed. Engaged. Connected.

Prior Lake News Compass

Schools

Sides quiet after deadline for threatened lawsuit against PLSAS passes

Sides quiet after deadline for threatened lawsuit against PLSAS passes

Robb Jeffries
March 5, 2025

The deadline for a resolution to a threatened lawsuit by a Jeffers Pond teacher has passed, but it is unclear if a resolution has been reached. Attorneys for Brooke Zahn, a fourth-grade teacher at the elementary school, imposed a deadline of Feb. 28...

Laker Hall of Fame nominations now open

Laker Hall of Fame nominations now open

Staff report
March 5, 2025

The Laker Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for the Class of 2025. The hall committee is accepting nominations for distinguished graduates and staff representing the areas of activities, athletics or as a distinguished individual with significant...

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools superintendent Michael Thomas explains the next steps for the district's budget process at a town hall meeting at Prior Lake High School on Jan. 29, 2025. Robb Jeffries / PL News Compass

School board reaches consensus on $4.1 million in budget cuts

Robb Jeffries
February 28, 2025

When a bond measure in 2024 to raise funds for the district failed, leaders within the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools district set forth on the difficult task of finding budget cuts to keep the district on track. After months of deliberation and with...

Members of the Shooting Stars team competing earlier this month were, from left to right, Kip Kruggel, Luke Gudmundson, Dominik Fortin, Elnur Yemar and Hunter DeLarosby. Not pictured is Alex Gouchenaur.

Local team building a future in robotics

Staff report
February 26, 2025

The Shooting Stars Robotics team was among the top finishers in the First Lego League Challenge held in mid-February. The Feb. 16 event at Burnsville High School focused on science, technology, engineering and math, all part of STEM core initiatives....

PLSAS board building new handbook

Renee Winick
February 26, 2025

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...

Jeffers Pond teacher threatens lawsuit for suspension

Jeffers Pond teacher threatens lawsuit for suspension

Robb Jeffries
February 19, 2025

A Jeffers Pond Elementary School teacher is threatening to sue the school district over her December suspension for a social media posting. Fourth-grade teacher Brooke Zahn was suspended for seven days without pay by the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools...

PLSAS to St. Paul: Fix the funding formula

PLSAS to St. Paul: Fix the funding formula

Renee Winick
February 12, 2025

During its latest meeting, the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools board refined its legislative platform, opting to call on the state to update its 54-year-old education funding formula. The platform will be used when board members and district officials...

Climb Theatre's performance of "The Gift Cat" will be seen by Five Hawks students on Feb. 21.

Schools roundup: Theater presentations at Five Hawks to focus on recycling

Staff report
February 10, 2025

Students at Five Hawks Elementary School will see performances by Climb Theatre that focus on recycling. "The Gift Cat" will be performed for students in kindergarten through second grade. "Trash!" will be seen by students in grades three through six...

The Prior Lake girls hockey team looks on during the 2024-25 season. Submitted photo / Caty Mawing Photography

Girls hockey preparing for playoffs

Randy Geister
February 6, 2025

The No. 4-seeded Prior Lake girls hockey team begins the Section 2AA playoffs on Friday, Feb. 7 , against #5 seed Shakopee at Dakotah Ice Center. These teams have played twice this year, with the Lakers coming out on top both times. The last meeting...

State delegation provides legislative update to PLSAS board

State delegation provides legislative update to PLSAS board

Renee Winick
January 29, 2025

Three members of Prior Lake and Savage’s delegation in the state legislature joined the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board Jan. 27 to discuss their education priorities for the 2025 session. Rep. Jessica Hanson, DFL-Burnsville, Rep. Ben Bakeberg,...

Prior Lake senior Ethan Kosin swims freestyle in the state True Team meet on Jan. 18, 2025. Submitted photo / Shawn Beaudette

Boys swimming places at True Team meet

Shawn Beaudette
January 27, 2025

In True Team competition, the Prior Lake boys swim team put together a series of strong performances to earn a top-eight finish at the University of Minnesota on Jan. 18. Facing the best competition in Minnesota, the Lakers started strong, with Ethan...

School finances to be discussed at Jan. 29 town hall meeting

Staff report
January 23, 2025

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools is in the process of planning its budget for the upcoming school year and will host a town hall meeting to discuss financial plans. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 29, beginning at 6 p.m., in Room F211 (old...