Prior Lake-Savage board OKs community levy survey to test funding options

The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board voted April 13 to launch a community levy survey asking residents to weigh in on multiple funding scenarios to help the district plan FY27.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas and Director Ryder presented the survey framework, which asks residents whether they would support additional monthly investments on top of current levy payments (examples in the presentation included $15, $32 and $46 per month) and explains how each scenario would affect the district’s fund balance and ability to sustain programs. The administration plans to run the survey April 14–20, verify respondents’ residency before counting results and present compiled feedback to the board in a subsequent meeting.

Dr. Thomas said the survey includes different scenarios so residents can see the tradeoffs between funding levels and the district’s financial outlook. He also confirmed that some scenarios would require a revoke‑and‑replace ballot process if the board later asks voters to approve a change.

The board approved the survey and the outreach plan. Administration said it will advertise the survey via district communications, will post explanatory materials on the district website (including per‑household illustrative lookup by home value), and will bring the results to the board for discussion of next steps.

Chair Bullian and several directors urged broad community participation, noting the survey is advisory and will inform whether a potential ballot question is developed later in the spring.

Next steps: district staff will run the survey, compile verified responses and return results to the board for consideration as administrators finalize the FY27 line‑item budget and any potential levy question for voters.