Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools is facing significant financial challenges due to inadequate state funding, unfunded/underfunded mandates and slower enrollment growth. Following the failed November 2024 referendum, the School Board has approved $4.1 million in budget reductions for 2025-26, with similar cuts expected in 2026-27.

To improve long-term efficiency, the School Board is considering the following changes beginning in fall 2026:

• WestWood Elementary would close as a neighborhood school in fall 2026. WestWood students would 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 would relocate to the WestWood building beginning in fall 2026.
• The District Services Center (DSC) would close and be sold. DSC staff would move into the current La ola del lago space at Grainwood. This plan provides the greatest cost efficiency and requires the least amount of remodeling.
• Community Education will remain at La ola del lago at Grainwood. No changes are being made to its current office location or programming.

This plan helps reduce costs through a combination of staffing efficiencies, decreased operational expenses from maintaining fewer buildings, and potential revenue from the sale of the DSC.

No changes will occur for the 2025-26 school year. The resources below provide more detailed information.