The previous levy will be revoked, or taken away, and a new levy would replace it. In this case, the questions on the November 3 ballot asks voters to revoke the current $623.97 per student levy authorization and replace it with a new levy of $1,740.97 per student.

Since 2024, PLSAS has made $12.25 million in budget reductions, which included:

• Closing an elementary school.
• Closing the pool at Twin Oaks Middle School.
• Increase in class sizes.
• Reduction in staffing and personnel expenditures across the district resulting in reduced services and student supports.
• Reduced programs for PLSAS students, including:
  • Secondary electives
  • MNCAPS pathways
  • The elimination of Laker Online
• Moving MNCAPS to a district facility.
• Increased fees for community facility use.
• Reduced student access to educational technology.

Like many other school districts in Minnesota and across the country, PLSAS is facing serious budget challenges. Our costs are increasing faster than our revenue is growing. This is mainly because prices are going up (inflation) and student enrollment (revenue) has slowed, mostly due to low birth rates. Revenues are increasing by 2.5-3% per year while expenses are increasing by about 5% each year. In addition, PLSAS’ current operating levy is one of the lowest in the area, which means our district has less money than neighboring districts to operate our schools and provide programming for students.

A fund balance is essentially the school district's savings account. It is an account in the district’s budget that is not allocated for a specific use. A fund balance is not intended to be used for ongoing expenditures, but for purposes like cash flow, shortfalls in state funding or emergency situations. PLSAS has used its fund balance over the past several years to help balance its budget.

Our cost-per-student spending is $2,917 below the state average. While this shows we spend tax dollars wisely, it also highlights a challenge: we lack the necessary funding to address priorities identified by many in our community, such as improving safety measures in our schools, enhancing personalized learning experiences and expanding career pathway opportunities for students. Compared to many other metro-area districts, PLSAS has much less revenue to spend to address the needs of our students.

Funds from the Question #1 - Operating Levy, will be focused on improving learning for all students and include the following:

• Support day-to-day classroom learning and school operations

• Increase teaching and other positions to assist students

• Purchase textbooks and curriculum materials

• Provide Wi-Fi and network systems that provide access to learning materials for student, teachers and staff

Funds from the Question #2 - Capital Projects Levy, will be focused on school safety and infrastructure needs and include the following:

• Provide a secure student entrance at Prior Lake High School

• Install security window film at all school 

• Increase surveillance cameras and equipment in all schools

• Replace aging technology infrastructure that supports student learning

• Address ongoing facility needs

Part of the capital projects levy will be used to cover the cost of technology staff and equipment that is currently being paid from the general fund. If both Questions #1 and #2, are approved, a portion of the cost of technology staff and equipment will be shifted to the capital projects levy, allowing for more of the district’s general fund budget to be invested directly into student learning.

The proposed levies will increase school property taxes by about $46 additional per month on a home valued at $525,000. Click here to use our tax calculator.

If Question 1 is approved, but Question 2 is not approved, the district will need to rethink which capital needs under technology, safety and security, and operations needs will be affordable.  Additionally, the ability to shift some expenditures to be covered by Capital Project Levy and allow more resources to be directed toward student classroom needs will be significantly limited.  The Capital Project Levy is a method to strategically allow the dollars received by the district to stretch further and allow us to keep the fund balance overall at policy level or above.

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools spends most of its budget in areas that directly affect students. Nearly 81% of the budget is spent on areas related to teaching and learning, including salaries and instructional supplies. 15% of the budget is spent on purchased services such as transportation, gas and electricity and 2% goes to pay for capital expenditures such as equipment and maintenance and 2% is spent on school administration.

Yes. More metro-area and neighboring districts have significantly higher operating levies than PLSAS. The table below shows current levy amounts.

To vote you must:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be a citizen of the United States

• Be a resident of the school district and maintain residence in the district for 20 days immediately preceding the election

The election will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 3036. In Minnesota, you can vote with an absentee ballot starting September 18, 2026. Early voting beings on October 16, 2026. You can request an absentee ballot online for federal, state, and county elections. Click here to find your polling place.