Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools have cut the annual budget by $12.25 million in the last year with an additional $3 million addition in cuts anticipated for the 2027-2028 school year. This totals to a $24.35 million dollars less spent on our students and teachers since 2024.
This isn’t a first or second ask. It’s what’s left after years of doing more with less. Voting Yes on November 3rd is a vote to stabilize the district.
We’re Yes for Laker Schools - a group of neighbors who believe strong schools make Prior Lake and Savage a place families want to call home.
School Referendum 2026
This November 3rd, Prior Lake and Savage voters decide the future of our local schools.
Here's why we're voting yes:
OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT ALREADY TIGHTENED THEIR BELT.
OUR SCHOOLS HAVE SPENT YEARS OF DOING MORE WITH LESS.
Right now, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools receive $3,094 less revenue per student than the Minnesota state average. Years of inflation have caused a shortfall in state and federal funding placing immense pressure on our students, teachers and district staff.
Since 2024, Laker Schools have cut $8.1 million from the budget — with another $4.15 million in cuts this year. That's over $12 million in reductions to the annual budget already, before this vote even happens. An additional ~$3 million in budget reductions are anticipated for the 2027-2028 school year.
PROTECT THE BASICS BEFORE IT’S TOO LAtE.
THIS REFERENDUM ISN’T AN ASK FOR “WANTS” ITS ABOUT STABILIZING OUR DISTRICT TO COVER THE NEEDS.
Class sizes have already grown in recent years, and this levy won't bring them back down. What it does is help prevent things from getting worse, by protecting the staffing and programs still standing.
Electives and extras are already being cut. Programs that connect our kids to the community — like the mentorship program that sent 20+ high schoolers into elementary classrooms every week — are already gone. Without this levy, core classroom programs are next.
A yes vote is not about adding more. A yes vote is about stabilizing our schools and reputation. A yes vote is about building upon what our community has already worked so hard for. A yes vote is for providing an education for our current and future children that they deserve.
The referendum passing will move us from the 43rd of 44 levy-funded districts to the 29th of 44 levy-funded districts in the metro area
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY GETS IN RETURN
Strong schools. Strong community. Strong future for Prior Lake and Savage.
Strong schools support home values, attract families, and make this the kind of community people choose to put down roots in.
The nurses, firefighters, police officers, and teachers who serve Prior Lake and Savage today were Laker Schools students. When we invest in our schools, we're investing in the people who will run this community tomorrow.
What's on the ballot?
Two questions, one goal: keep the Laker reputation strong
QUESTION 1: OPERATING REFERENDUM LEVY
Revoke the existing operating levy amount of $623.97 per student and replace it with a new levy of $1,740.97 per student.
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IN PLACE FOR 10 YEARS STARTING WITH THE 2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR
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ESTIMATE TAX IMPACT ON A HOUSE WITH A $525,000 VALUE WILL BE ABOUT $46 PER MONTH
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THE AMOUNT PER STUDENT WILL INCREASE WITH INFLATION
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COVER DAY-TO-DAY OPERATING COSTS THAT COVER THE SHORTFALL FROM STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING
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IMPROVE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND TEST SCORES
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Saying 'Yes' to Question 1 cancels the existing operating levy of $624 per student and replaces it with a new operating levy of $1,741 per student for the next 10 years - starting in the 2027-2028 school year.
HOW WILL IT BE USED?
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COVER DAY-TO-DAY OPERATING COSTS
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PROTECT STUDENTS FROM THE IMPACTS OF THE SHORT FALL FROM STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING CAUSED BY INFLATION
QUESTION 2: CAPITAL PROJECTS LEVY
Proposes a capital projects levy to raise about $3.8 million per year for the next 10 years beginning with the 2028-2029 school year.
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ALLOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PAY FOR MAJOR PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS
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UPGRADE SCHOOL SAFETY AND REQUIRED INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT
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REPLACING AGING TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE TO BETTER SUPPORT LEARNING - NOT EXPANDING STUDENT DEVICES
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BUILDING + PLAYGROUND UPKEEP
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
This levy asks voters to approve a capital project fund for the school district — a dedicated pool of money for building, technology, and equipment needs, separate from day-to-day classroom operating costs. If approved, it would raise about $3.8 million per year for 10 years (2028–2037), for a total of about $38 million.
Question 2 is contingent on the passage of Question 1, meaning it can only pass if Question 1 passes.
HOW WILL IT BE USED?
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SCHOOL SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
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SECURE STUDENT ENTRANCE AT PRIOR LAKE HIGH SCHOOL
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INSTALLING SECURITY WINDOW FILM AT ALL SCHOOLS
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EXPAND SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AND THEIR REQUIRED SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE
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DEVELOP CURRICULUM FOR HIGH ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
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TEXTBOOKS AND STUDENT MATERIALS
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REPLACING AGED STUDENT TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR BETTER LEARNING - NOT EXPANDING STUDENT DEVICES
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ONGOING UPKEEP OF SCHOOLS, ACTIVITY AND SPORTS FACILITIES
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OVERALL BUILDING AND PLAYGROUND UPKEEP
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Strong Schools • Strong Community • Strong Future •