The Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools board on Monday approved a school boundary reorganization plan officials described as more future-proof in preventing future boundary changes, but will see 679 students change schools.
The board approved Boundary Scenario E in a 6-0 vote, with director Lisa Atkinson absent. The plan, introduced at an Oct. 14 finance and operations advisory committee meeting, does not include changes to any schools’ start times.
District director of operational services Dan Powers said Scenario C, the other preferred option, would have resulted in fewer students changing schools, but with two schools’ start times changing.
Powers said that his ultimate goal was to have a boundary scenario that would last 10 years. He said scenario E was his choice because it allows for expansion in the areas where growth is expected, whereas Scenario C would only last four or five years before boundaries would need to be changed again.
“When we think about future proofing, Scenario E gives us the greatest chance to be adaptable,” Powers said.
The district laid out some changes for families in a Tuesday email to staff.
All in-district transfer students will return to their home school. Non-resident students will remain enrolled with families responsible for their child’s transportation. Open enrolled families must take their students to school or a bus stop, with the district saying they will provide more details soon.
La ola del lago and SAGE fifth-graders will be located at WestWood beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
The boundary plan will require some changes to special education programs. The district said in its email it would reach out individually to families to discuss changes.
Schools will also plan welcome activities to help students acclimate prior to the 2026-2027 school year.
The need to reorganize the district came about due to the board’s decision to close WestWood Elementary as a neighborhood school earlier in 2025 amid ongoing financial strains.
Discussion of the boundary plan was limited Monday. Powers said at the Oct. 27 study session the district did not have exact numbers on potential staff changes.
The approved boundary plan will result in some students from Jeffers Pond Elementary moved to Five Hawks Elementary. District Superintendent Dr. Michael Thomas said at the study session the plan allows for Jeffers Pond to retain nature-based programming, a popular pre-K program that helps pipeline students into the district.
