Prior Lake-Savage School Board weighs open enrollment with boundary changes

Prior Lake American

Members of the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board are continuing to discuss temporary boundary changes ahead of the construction of a new elementary school, set to open in fall 2020.

One point of discussion during an regular board meeting Monday: open enrollment.

Some board members took issue with the idea that students who live in the district would move while open enrolled students stay in the schools they're enrolled in.

"We've got hundreds and hundreds of open enrolled students," school board member Melissa Enger said.

The school board is considering moving 60 Redtail Ridge Elementary School students and 16 WestWood Elementary School students to Glendale Elementary for the 2018-19 school year. The Redtail Ridge students who might be moved live in the northern portion of the school's boundary, north of South Park Drive to County Road 42. For WestWood, it would be students north of County Road 42 near Virginia Avenue in Savage.

"The more we moved away from these two areas, the less likely we could hold to that guideline from the board of 'minimize families moving twice,'" Assistant Superintendent Jeff Holmberg said.

However, moving the open enrolled students from Redtail Ridge Elementary and WestWood Elementary might not address overcrowding issues at the kindergarten level as no open enrolled students have been allowed at Redtail Ridge for the last three years, Holmberg said.

"If we're looking at open enrolled students at Redtail Ridge moving, we'd be predominantly looking at students in grades three, four, five," Holmberg said. "I'm not sure it would alleviate any student seats in the primary level."

The overcrowding issue was the momentum behind a successful referendum initiative in November, which asked voters for $109.3 million to build the elementary school, construct a new building for the Bridges Area Learning Center and add on to the Prior Lake High School and six other schools.

Public feedback

School board member Mary Frantz said moving forward with any future potential changes, the public should be brought into the discussion more.

"I know it's traumatic for the families and the kids ... I think it's really important to get the feedback of the people." Frantz said.

Principals of the schools are already looking to the future and more potential changes, Superintendent Dr. Teri Staloch said.

"The principals have already started thinking about 'what do we do to ensure the greatest transitions for our students and families,'" Staloch said. "They're already thinking about what that can look like."

The board will vote on the boundary changes in March.

In other discussions during the study session on Feb. 26, the board:

• Talked about potential design options for the Prior Lake High School and future elementary school construction. For the high school, a north and east entrance are currently proposed. For the elementary school, two layout options were tossed around — a split-level facility and a two-story facility. Staff is learning toward the two-story model to maximize sunlight and windows.

• Mentioned a development of 34 homes called Madelyn Pointe built by D.R. Horton in Savage. The development would be less than a mile from Redtail Ridge elementary. This would mean the district would not have to provide transportation.

• Laid out the schedule for budget discussions in the upcoming year. On March 5, the board will talk about reductions and additions to the budget. On March 26, the board will have a preliminary budget discussion as well as updates on staffing and enrollment. On May 21, the preliminary budget will be reviewed and on June 11 the preliminary budget will be presented and approved.