At its November 10 meeting, the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (PLSAS) School Board approved Option E as the new K–5 attendance boundaries for the 2026–27 school year.

The updated boundaries are part of the district’s site consolidation plan, designed to balance enrollment and make the best use of space and resources across all elementary schools. The new boundaries will take effect beginning in fall 2026.

The Board’s decision followed months of analysis and review of five boundary scenarios developed using district guiding change parameters. The options were narrowed to two finalists—Options C and E—prior to the final vote.

What this means for families:

• All students currently attending a school through an In-District Transfer (IDT) will return to their home school.
• Non-resident families who are currently open enrolled in PLSAS will remain enrolled. Families will be asked to indicate which three schools will be convenient for them based on transportation needs. Open enrolled families are responsible to transport their student(s) to school or to a bus stop within the district boundaries. More details will be shared with open enrolled families soon. 
• La ola del lago and SAGE 5th-grade students will be located at WestWood beginning in 2026–27.
• Some adjustments to our center-based special education programs will also be necessary to align with the new attendance boundaries. Families affected by these changes will be contacted directly by special education staff to discuss next steps and ensure a smooth, supportive transition for students.
• Schools will also begin planning activities to welcome families and help all students acclimate prior to the 2026–27 school year.

View the approved boundary map:
Families and staff can view the approved boundary map at www.plsas.org/site-consolidation. An interactive map version will be available on our website in the near future. Elementary school assignments will also be mailed to families in spring 2026.

Sincerely, 

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools

In follow-up to our October 20 communications, we want to provide an update on the process to establish new K–5 attendance boundaries for the 2026–27 school year as part of our site consolidation plan. These adjustments are necessary to balance enrollment and make the best use of space and resources across all of our elementary schools.

At its October 27 Study Session, the School Board reviewed two final boundary options, narrowed from five after additional feedback and analysis from the Finance and Operations Advisory Committee. Both Option C and Option E meet the district’s minimum requirements and guiding change parameters, but they differ in how they affect enrollment balance, transportation and start times.

Option C Highlights

• Shorter average bus ride times overall, though increased for Redtail Ridge students
• Less balanced enrollment (all schools below 80% capacity)
• Less “future proof” for any potential growth
• Requires start time adjustments at two schools (affecting approximately 990 students)
• Affects about 580 students with a school change, including WestWood (this total does not include La ola del lago students, who will relocate to WestWood for the 2026–27 school year)
• A total of approximately 1,570 students would be affected by school and start time changes.

Option E Highlights

• Most balanced enrollment (all schools below 70% capacity, except Five Hawks at 80.2%)
• Shorter average bus ride times
• Most “future proof,” allowing for any potential growth in all attendance areas
• Does not require any start time changes
• About 679 students would experience a school change, including WestWood (this total does not include La ola del lago students, who will relocate to WestWood for the 2026–27 school year)

The public can view Option C here and Option E here. Large posters of Options C and E are also available for viewing at the District Services Center (4540 Tower Street SE, Prior Lake) during office hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (lobby closed daily from 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.).

On November 10, Options C and E will be presented to the School Board for a final review and vote to determine which option will take effect in the 2026–27 school year.

For updates and FAQs, visit www.plsas.org/site-consolidation.

Sincerely, 

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools

In follow-up to our September 23 communication, we’d like to provide an update and reminder that Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools is reviewing new K–5 attendance boundaries for the 2026–27 school year as part of our site consolidation plan. These changes will help balance enrollment and optimize resources across schools.

On October 13, the School Board reviewed five boundary options developed using Guiding Change Parameters. The Finance and Operations Committee met on October 14 to continue refining the scenarios and narrowing the options, with the School Board set to review them at its October 27 meeting.

Because start times depend on attendance boundaries and bus routes, final decisions will be made after new boundaries are approved November 10. If adjustments are needed, we’ll share that information then.

After new K-5 attendance boundaries are approved, current resident families may be eligible to apply for an In-District Transfer (IDT) under special circumstances. Non-resident families who are currently open-enrolled in PLSAS will remain enrolled in the district. More details will be shared with open enrolled families after new elementary boundaries are determined. 

We recognize that these changes will affect many families, and we are committed to thoughtful planning and open communication throughout the process. We value every family and are grateful for your choice to be with us as we work to support all students and provide an exceptional education for every learner.

For updates and FAQs, visit www.plsas.org/site-consolidation.

Sincerely,
Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools

At its September 22 meeting, the School Board reviewed several scenarios as part of the planning process for new elementary attendance boundaries starting in 2026–27. These changes will help the district optimize resources and respond to current and projected enrollment as part of the site consolidation plan. 

To guide planning, the district is using “base numbers.” These assume that all La ola del lago (LODL), open-enrolled students and students placed in specialized programs are planned for separately. All students currently attending a school through an In-District Transfer (IDT) will return to their home school. Using these base numbers help us fairly evaluate different boundary options. The district is also assuming stable enrollment and demographics consistent with 2025–26. Beginning in 2026–27, La ola del lago and SAGE 5th-grade students will be located at WestWood.

After new K-5 attendance boundaries are approved in November, current resident families may be eligible to apply for an In-District Transfer (IDT) under special circumstances. 

Following any IDT considerations, non-resident families who are currently open-enrolled in PLSAS will remain enrolled in the district. However, in alignment with state statute, these families will be asked again to indicate their top three elementary school preferences, which the district will take into account when making placements. 

The Kindergarten enrollment process for the 2026–27 school year will begin this December.

In addition to our Guiding Change Parameters, any new boundary option must meet basic criteria: boundaries must be contiguous, schools must remain within capacity limits, each building should have up to four sections per grade, students must have equitable access to programs and transportation costs cannot increase significantly.

What’s next
The Finance & Operations Committee will continue refining the scenarios and narrowing the boundary options, with the School Board set to review them at its October 27 meeting. 

We’ll continue to share updates throughout this process. More details, including FAQs, can be found anytime at www.plsas.org/site-consolidation 

Sincerely, 
Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools

PLSAS Staff and Families,

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools is adjusting elementary attendance boundaries for the 2026–27 school year to align with board-approved site consolidation plans. These changes help the district optimize resources and respond to current and projected enrollment.

We want to reassure staff and families that no changes will take place during the 2025–26 school year. Approved facility changes for 2026–27 include:

• WestWood Elementary will close as a neighborhood school in fall 2026. WestWood students will attend nearby elementary schools, based on a future attendance boundary configuration that will be determined at a later date.
• La ola del lago at Grainwood will relocate to the WestWood building beginning in fall 2026.
• The District Services Center (DSC) will close and be sold. Proceeds from the sale—where allowed by law—will be used to help offset the district’s projected budget shortfall. DSC staff will relocate to Grainwood.
• Community Education offices will remain at Grainwood. Expanded classes and workshops for learners of all ages will also be offered at Grainwood, in addition to other schools throughout the district.

With these changes, elementary attendance boundaries will be redrawn for the 2026–27 school year to make the best use of space, balance enrollment and improve efficiency. To begin the boundary change process, on Monday, August 25, the School Board reviewed Guiding Change Parameters and Timeline.

We will keep families and staff updated throughout this process and will post information at: www.plsas.org/site-consolidation
For questions, click here.

Sincerely,
Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools

2026-2027
K-5 Attendance Boundary FAQ