- Prior Lake News Compass
- Posts
- Prior Lake News Compass
Prior Lake News Compass
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Our community is navigating some big transitions this week as the school board tackles difficult budget decisions and new campus reassignments. While the district maps out the year ahead, local spirit is shining through in the creative collaboration of a Make-A-Wish artist and the return of Lakers tennis to the courts. We’ve also rounded up plenty of ways to enjoy the spring transition, including archery classes and morning strolls at Cleary Lake.
Send your story ideas to:
[email protected]
Top Story
La Ola del Lago will be moved to the current WestWood Elementary School building at the start of the next school year.
PLSAS board facing difficult decisions in cutting additional $4.1 million
Facing another round of cuts that exceed $4 million, members of Prior Lake-Savage School Board heard from local residents and administrators during its March 23 meeting about the impact anticipated program cuts will have on students and the district in the coming year.
Reductions totaling more than $8 million were previously approved by the board in the past two years, and nearly every department within the district has been impacted. Significant changes for the coming year that were approved earlier include site consolidations, reassignment of school attendance boundaries, repurposing a neighborhood elementary school and selling of the District Services Center.
The recommendations made during the recent meeting focused largely on staffing and class offerings in the 2026-27 school year. Not everyone was happy with what was being proposed, which included plans to cut the equivalent of 43 full-time positions, reassigning teachers and eliminating some class offerings.
City
 | Wish kid, local artist create lantern tower inspired by trip to NYCA bold idea from a Make‑A‑Wish kid has become a fully realized five‑foot illuminated ceramic lantern tower—now on public display through April 16 at the Crayon Kelly Experience in Saint Louis Park. |
Schools
 | PLSAS board, teachers union reach agreement for 2026-27 school yearThe Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board approved the 2025-27 contract settlement with the Prior Lake Savage Education Association (PLSEA). Members of PLSEA have been working without a contract since the previous contract expired on July 1, 2025. |
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: March 17-22
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
 | PLHS boys' tennis team set to tackle elite schedule during 2026 seasonThe courts are officially open, and for Prior Lake boys' tennis, the 2026 season is about leveling up. Ranked No. 9 in Class AA to start the year, the Lakers won’t be taking the easy path. The squad is set to feature a schedule including eight of the top 11 teams in the state. |
 | Lawsuit filed against state for allowing transgender sports participationThe Justice Department on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota State High School League alleging both were in violation of Title IX for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. |
Nature
 | Tekiela: In the right place for a few seconds to capture the snowshoe hareSpring is a season of change, or more precisely, a season of transition. Transitions are the dynamic periods of change in nature that highlight the annual cycles. Spring is sometimes described as a transitional season and the bridge between the two extremely different seasons — summer and winter. |
Events
April 6 | “Morning Stretch and Stroll” - Cleary Lake Regional Park
Developed in partnership with Club Prior, the "Morning Stretch and Stroll" is a casual, quick walking club for adults age 55 and older who are looking to boost their health by walking outdoors on a paved path at a distance of just over a mile.
April 8 | Tjärnblom at "Wednesday Night Live" - Club Prior
Tjärnblom, a Scandinavian-style string band, will be the featured entertainment during the City of Prior Lake's "Wednesday Night Live" event, running from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
April 11 | Beginning Archery Class - Cleary Lake Regional Park
Join outdoor recreation school instructors while enjoying a fun archery session filled with beginner instruction, colorful targets and spring-inspired challenges. The class is scheduled to run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The program is open to beginners or those who have tried the sport in the past.
April 15 | "Patterns of Grooming in Schools" - Spot's Last Stop Canine Rescue
The community is invited to an informative presentation on "Patterns of Grooming in Schools" on Wednesday, April 15, led by Jennifer Mayerle, senior investigative reporter for WCCO-TV.
April 16 | PL Chamber’s “Spring Showcase” - Shepherd of the Lake
The Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce will host a "Spring Showcase" from 5 to 7 p.m. at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church.
April 17-26 | “Shrek the Musical” - Twin Oaks Middle School
The Prior Lake Players will bring "Shrek the Musical" to the Twin Oaks Middle School stage during multiple performances scheduled between April 17-26.
In Case You Missed It
Top clicked stories from last week
Prior Lake News Compass is grateful for the financial
support received from these Founding Donors:
|
|
Consider supporting independent, community-owned news
Prior Lake News Compass is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that depends on donations from our readers. Please consider making a financial contribution to help us with our ongoing expenses.