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Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (PLSAS) is proud to announce the addition of two accomplished professionals to its executive leadership team: Dr. Tim Anderson as Executive Director of Academic Services and Lisa Rider as Executive Director of Business Services.

Dr. Tim Anderson – Executive Director of Academic Services

Dr. Anderson brings with him an impressive background in educational leadership. He most recently served as Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations at St. Anthony–New Brighton Public Schools. Prior to that, he was principal at South View Middle School in Edina Public Schools and held several leadership roles in Bloomington Public Schools, including Executive Director and Director in the Department of Learning and Teaching, and Dean of Students. His career in education began as a social studies teacher at Bloomington Jefferson and Eden Prairie High Schools.

Dr. Anderson holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Science Education from St. Olaf College and multiple advanced degrees from the University of Minnesota, including a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, a K–12 Administrative License, a Doctorate in Educational Policy and Administration, and a Superintendent License.

He will begin his role with PLSAS on July 1. “I am very impressed with the highly committed, hardworking and dedicated PLSAS team, which I am excited to join,” Dr. Anderson shared.

Lisa Rider – Executive Director of Business Services

Joining PLSAS on July 14, Lisa Rider brings deep experience in school finance and operational leadership. She most recently served as Director of Finance and Operations for Red Wing Public Schools. Her career also includes roles as Controller for St. Paul Public Schools, Executive Director of Business Services for Burnsville–Eagan–Savage Public Schools (District 191), and Business Manager for Farmington Area Public Schools. She also brings valuable private-sector experience from her work with CliftonLarsonAllen and Schuetzle, Carlson & Co.

Rider holds a Bachelor's degree in Business from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

"Service to schools and their communities has been my career, and I look forward to joining the talented team at Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools," Rider said. "I am grateful to be joining a world-class district centered on students, driven by results."

Looking Ahead

PLSAS is confident that both leaders will bring valuable expertise, vision, and collaboration to support the district’s mission of educating all learners to reach their full potential.

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Dr. Anderson and Ms. Rider as they begin their new roles in Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools.

The Prior Lake High School Speech Team made history at the 2025 National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, held in Des Moines, Iowa, by earning a coveted School of Excellence Trophy, awarded to the Top 20 teams in the nation. This marks the first time the team has received national team recognition at this level.

Among over 6,700 competitors from around the globe, Prior Lake students stood out with several exceptional individual performances:

• Makenzie Bounds became only the second student in Prior Lake Speech history to reach the final round at Nationals, placing 6th in the Nation in the category of Poetry Interpretation. She also advanced to the final rounds in Original Spoken Word during the Supplemental Tournament.

• Mason Baas advanced to the semi-finals in Humorous Interpretation, earning an impressive 11th place finish nationally.

• Katie Weaver reached the quarter-finals in Dramatic Interpretation, finishing 18th in the Nation.

• Chloe Erickson and Jayden Nelson advanced to the quarter-finals in Duo Interpretation, finishing 23rd in the Nation.

Several other students also participated and advanced in the National Supplemental Tournament:

• Leo Choi reached final rounds in Poetry, while also competing in Dramatic Interpretation and Prose.

• Ingrid Olson advanced to the final round of Storytelling, and also competed in Prose.

• Lindsey Madsen represented Prior Lake in Expository Speaking and Storytelling.

Prior Lake High School is proud to celebrate the achievements of the 1,894 students in grades 9-12 who earned a place on the honor roll for the fourth quarter of the 2024-25 school year. These students demonstrated their commitment to academic excellence by achieving a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.  

For a complete list of students' names on the PLHS honor roll click the following link:

Prior Lake High School Q4 Honor Roll

Bridges Area Learning Center is proud to celebrate the achievements of 26 students who earned a place on the honor roll for the fourth quarter of the 2024-25 school year. These students demonstrated their commitment to academic excellence by achieving a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

For a complete list of students' names on the Bridges ALC honor roll click the following link
Bridges ALC Quarter 4 Honor Roll

Hidden Oaks and Twin Oaks Middle Schools are proud to recognize the achievements of over 1,590 students in grades 6-8 who earned a spot on the honor roll for the second semester of the 2024-25 school year. These students have shown dedication to academic excellence by achieving the following GPA distinctions:

Principal’s Honor Roll: 3.5 – 4.0
Honor Roll: 3.0 – 3.49

For a complete list of students' names on the 2024-25 second semester middle school honor roll click the following links:

Hidden Oaks Honor Roll

Twin Oaks Honor Roll