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Prior Lake News Compass
Thursday, May 7, 2026
It’s shaping up to be a busy season of transitions and big decisions in Prior Lake. The school board officially set the stage for November, approving two referendum questions that will ask voters to weigh in on the district's financial future. While the search for an interim leader begins at the district office, our students continue to shine: congratulations to Obioma Osuji on earning a prestigious scholarship! Read on to learn more about road closures, lake treatments and a celebratory food truck festival downtown. We’ve gathered everything you need to know to stay ahead of the curve. Thanks for being a part of the conversation; let’s get into this week’s news.
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Top Story
The District Services Center for Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools is located on Toronto Street in Prior Lake.
PLSAS approves putting referendum questions on November ballot
Two referendum questions will be on the ballot given to voters in the Prior Lake-Savage Area School District as part of the November election.
Members of the local school board decided to include a referendum levy question on the ballot that would last for a 10-year period with an inflationary increase clause. Yet to be determined is the amount that will be requested of residents to fund general operating expenses. A second ballot question will ask for approval of funding for capital projects.
The local school district has cut more than $12 million from its operating budget in the past few years after voters overwhelmingly rejected a new referendum proposed in 2024. Cuts have resulted in position eliminations, larger class sizes, selling of the District Services Center and revising school attendance boundaries. The district has also seen a decline in enrollment in recent years, which is expected to continue and impacts the amount of funding received from the state.
News
 | Police respond to welfare check request; two found dead in PL homeThe bodies of two people Prior Lake Police found dead inside a home on Saturday, May 2, have been identified as 35-year-old William Smith and 34-year-old Laura Smith. |
 | Alum treatment planned for Upper Prior Lake this monthThe second aluminum sulfate, or “alum,” treatment on Upper Prior Lake will occur May 12-31, conducted by the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District. |
 | Work on roundabout at County Roads 23 and 68 will last until mid-JulyThe intersection at County Roads 23 and 68 in Spring Lake Township, south of Prior Lake, was scheduled to close to traffic on Monday, May 4, and the closure is expected to last approximately 10 weeks. |
City
 | Police personnel honored by PL OptimistsThe Prior Lake-Savage Optimist Club recognized the dedication and outstanding service exhibited by members of the Prior Lake and Savage police departments through its "Respect for the Law" program held in April. |
Schools
 | PLSAS board to begin search next week for interim school superintendentThe Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools board voted on May 4 to use the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) as its search firm to aid in the district’s search for its next superintendent. Board members also opted to initiate a search for an interim superintendent who may be looking for and have the qualifications to fill the position on a permanent basis. |
Addendum to superintendent's contract approved after board debate
An addendum to the employment contract of Superintendent Michael Thomas drew considerable debate among members of the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board during its May 4 meeting. Thomas has been hired as the new superintendent of the Hopkins School District and will start in that role on July 1, 2026.
 | PLHS student Obioma Osuji is recipient of MSBA scholarshipThe Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) has named Obioma Osuji, a student at Prior Lake High School and student representative on the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board, as one of three recipients of the 2026 Robert E. Meeks Student School Board Member Scholarship. |
More School News
Prior Lake in the Past
This weekly column contains summary excerpts of news items published in the Prior Lake American decades ago. We hope our readers enjoy remembering those who are mentioned from years past, and this feature provides historical perspective about how much the community has changed over the decades.
Prior Lake Police Log
This weekly report is based on information submitted by the Prior Lake Police Department for responses. All calls for service may not be included; all subjects arrested and named are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Obituaries
Sports
 | Laker boys' tennis team moves to 7-0 in conference playBefore heading into the major tests over the weekend, the Lakers had business to attend to in a cross-town rivalry clash against Shakopee. |
Nature
 | Tekiela: Camera provides birds-eye view of great horned owl nesting habitsOne of author Stan Tekiela’s many pastime activities is improving the habitat on his small parcel of land, such as removing the non-native trees and shrubs and then planting a wide variety of native trees and shrubs. |
Featured Event
 | May 16 | Food Truck Fest - Downtown Prior LakeThe downtown Prior Lake area will be filled with food and fun during the Food Truck Fest hosted by the Laker Educational Foundation from 3 to 7 p.m. Tasty food, treats, cold drinks and live music will make for a fun event. Participating food truck vendors will be donating a percentage of their sales to the foundation, which serves to inspire and enrich creativity, innovation and excellence for students, staff and Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools. |
Events
May 7 | Franciscan International Awards Dinner - The Wilds Golf Club
This public event, starting at 6 p.m., will honor individuals and organizations whose lives reflect the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. The evening will include raffle drawings and a live auction.
May 7 | Ladies Night Out - Downtown Prior Lake
Beginning at 4:30 p.m., attendees will stroll through the streets of downtown Prior Lake and shop, sip and snack while visiting with many vendors and businesses offering specials and giveaways.
May 15 | Music in the Park - Lakefront Park
Attendees are invited to bring a chair, sit back and enjoy the free Zero Below concert, playing classic rock and country hits from 6 to 8 p.m. Coolers are welcome (no glass), and food trucks will be on site with tasty treats for purchase.
May 17 | Crutches 4 Africa equipment collection - Prior Lake VFW
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Prior Lake Rotary will accept donations of mobility equipment that will be sent to Africa to help those in need.
May 21 | PLAY travel baseball golf tournament - The Wilds Golf Club
The event will begin with a noon shotgun start, followed by dinner and a silent auction. Community members who don't golf are still invited to enjoy the fun. Bingo will kick off at 4 p.m. with access to the silent auction and evening festivities.
May 29 | Home Front Heroes Gala - Brackett's Crossing Country Club
Hosted from 5:30 to 10 p.m. by founders Erik and Gina Therwanger, the purpose of the event is to award scholarships to honor the sacrifices of military spouses.
In Case You Missed It
Top clicked stories from last week
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