Leaders within Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools have begun assessing elementary school attendance boundaries for the 2026-27 school year, following the closing of WestWood Elementary as a neighborhood school in the fall of 2026.

The PLSAS board, at its July 14 meeting, voted to move La Ola del lago Spanish immersion school at Grainwood to the WestWood building. It will also close and sell the current District Services Center and move staff to Grainwood, and by mid-November, finalize new elementary school attendance boundaries for the next school year.

Dan Powers, Director of Operational Services, and Lisa Rider, Executive Director of Business Services, outlined options during the Aug. 25 study session of the board. The presentation identified primary goals, which include making best use of available space, balancing enrollment across all district elementary schools, and improving operational efficiency.

Powers said boundaries have to change due to WestWood’s closure as a traditional elementary school that this year has approximately 500 students enrolled. Changes in elementary student enrollment throughout the district will come into play, while final recommendations will be dependent upon assumptions and current data.

When looking at boundary options, Powers said student population estimates for the coming school year will be based on 2025-26 counts, while taking into account that La ola de lago and SAGE students will be housed at WestWood. Current open-enrolled students will be included in total student counts.

During the study session, administrative staff presented a list of desired results when assessing boundary changes. Key directives included:

• Balance enrollment across elementary schools to ensure efficient use of space;
• Support relocation and growth of La ola del lago in its move to WestWood;
• Minimize disruption to students, families and staff;
• Ensure equitable access to program and learning opportunities for all elementary students;
• Review transportation efficiencies including adjustments to school start times;
• Maintain Early Childhood programming at Edgewood School and nature-based programs at Jeffers Pond;
• Keep the final cohort of Grade 5 SAGE students together at Westwood for 2026-27;
• Ensure thoughtful transition that maintains continuity of services for students; and
• Consider an opt-in for transportation needs by students at the high school.

Powers said there is no process currently in place to accurately estimate how many students drive to school or are dropped off by family members. He added, however, that the number of students in elementary and middle school grades who regularly ride the bus are much more consistent than at the high school level. As part of the overall transportation review, school start times will be reviewed, along with a three-tier system for pickup times. The director said it’s the district’s goal to have students on the bus no longer than 30 minutes, going to school or on the ride home.

Minimal criteria to be considered in all suggested scenarios would be: contiguous boundaries, student counts being within building capacity limits, allowing for four sections per grade per building, ensuring equitable access to programs and learning opportunities, and each option should not significantly increase transportation costs.

Board member Mary Frantz said discussion regarding students carrying band instruments and sports equipment to and from school needs to be part of the assessment, adding that in past those students were not allowed to ride the bus because of how much additional space was needed.

Board member Jessica Olstad also suggested that student feedback should be gathered prior to final decisions being made on boundaries to see how the proposed changes may impact them.

Powers said input will be requested from various district committees. The finance and operations committee is scheduled to review up to four boundary map options on Sept. 9.

Scenarios will be ranked by committees on a one-to-10 point scale, with 10 points being awarded to those proposals deemed to be the best. The measurements will assist in final ranking of boundary options and determine which two proposals will be forwarded to the board.

Superintendent Michael Thomas said the district will utilize internal software to track change options and ensure policies and state laws are followed. He indicated the system will provide for good checks and balances as the selection process moves forward. He added that the district will hold a number of informational meetings and town halls in the coming months to make certain local residents are aware of the options being considered and how the eventual boundary choices will be determined. The school district’s website will also contain updated information on choices being considered.

“In the end,” Thomas said, “final options will probably be apparent.”

Preliminary boundary map alternatives will be on the school board’s agenda for its study session being held Sept. 22. The finance and operations committee will adjust map designs based on board input the following day and narrow the number of options to be considered down to two. That committee will also meet on Oct. 14 to update its final recommendations for board review on Oct. 27.

School board members will take action on the new elementary school attendance boundary plan for the coming year during its regular meeting scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10.

No changes will be made to school district boundaries during the current school year.