Prior Lake-Savage school board approves design plans for high school additions

Prior Lake American

The Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board approved design plans during a regular meeting on Monday for additions to the Prior Lake High School.

The additions were included in the $109.3 million referendum approved by voters in November 2017. Also included in the referendum was a new elementary school, a new building for the Bridges Area Learning Center and additions to six other schools.

The additions to the high school include a new north entry, new weight and locker rooms, updated toilets and showers, a renovated common area, a café, a classroom wing with flexible learning spaces, an expanded auto shop and more.

A current stair place in the common area would also be renovated to include wide “learning stairs.”

“Two of our students who went on some of the high school tours with us, they said that was one of their favorite elements of all the tours,” Superintendent Teri Staloch said. “We’re really excited to see the versatility of that space.”

A Laker Marketplace would have seven different serving stations for students to get food. The Lakehouse Café would be open before, during and after school to serve students grab-and-go options, as well as breakfast and lunch.

“I think one of the virtues here is we’re able to serve students without having the entire kitchen open up,” Assistant Superintendent Jeff Holmberg said.

Bids for the work will now be advertised, a motion that was also approved by the school board on Monday. Construction for the classroom additions and kitchen and cafeteria expansions will begin at the end of 2018, beginning of 2019, according to the district’s construction timeline.

The secure front entrances and gyms will open in fall 2020. All construction work is scheduled to be complete by fall 2020.