[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6286158,"mediaKeyId","2564730-11969e23efc0aca709a5bc009df37294","parentId",2564730,"title","Midyear FastBridge results prompt district discussion on literacy, math implementation and resource gaps","audioSeconds",2348,"startMs",2673000,"endMs",5021000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2564730-11969e23efc0aca709a5bc009df37294&start=2673&end=5021","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2564730-11969e23efc0aca709a5bc009df37294/thumbnail_2673000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286158/Minnesota/Midyear-FastBridge-results-prompt-district-discussion-on-literacy-math-implementation-and-resource-gaps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286158-7d675466b7c42aa3b36d308e308723d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771055888&Signature=PIRTHALF6TeplXUKy-Bis4rIgsY5OFhZOKz~4hy7~6oQY4aAmhbTwHLdmvFloaHNZ-ytPUROMCSkpYfbJ-7-CaK8J0CqCGR4CAJzzX5TPvZpBs6rFI~IclFFaYefgiJQmzw3hMuNaeqKDrLdiVqS85JR6-~oAd7CCurh~~lbGWkpMk3Wl5NcR9lp-KuLyDTHvE6hT-EL~9mGaewflWptLuPY-xz0Vfvm74zx22EVGuG-xr5s2F1UjwP4v2dVio9cGmQj4Ixl08DD8tgERYDy7ysnTNY~9tp8vZJSEAXZPW96PEDdpTJL72znZqrfGyFu9mDKmNWOsr~9cwqc--BaJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE AREA SCHOOLS","date","2025-03-11T16:56:22Z","article","District assessment staff presented midyear FastBridge screening data and used the report to prompt conversation about curriculum alignment, the Read Act and where intervention resources are focused.

Director Zumbusch (presentation lead) explained FastBridge is a formative assessment suite designed to give teachers timely instructional feedback and cautioned against treating single-window results as summative. She said the tool uses national percentile cut points: students below the 15th percentile are labeled high risk, 15th–30th percentile as some risk, 40th percentile and above as \"on track\" (with a separate college-pathway threshold above the 70th percentile). She noted assessment content and cut points vary by grade and window and that some components are administered 1-on-1 (early grades) while others are iPad-based (grade 2 and up).

Reading and math trends: Presenters showed a kindergarten dip from fall to winter that the district attributed to a timing mismatch between the district’s Foundations scope and the mandated FastBridge winter window; staff said when they screened again after the subsequent unit, scores rose substantially. Zumbusch emphasized this is an implementation and timing issue, not necessarily a reflection of long-term decline.

Curriculum and resources: Board members and staff discussed gaps in the district’s curriculum package. Staff said Foundations covers many foundational skills but has gaps in phonemic awareness; vocabulary and knowledge-building (comprehension) content was identified as an area with fewer district materials. Director Zumbusch and others said the district is awaiting guidance under Minnesota’s Read Act before making major curriculum purchases because state guidance affects what will be reimbursable. Board members asked how quickly new curricular components could change outcomes and were reminded implementation typically takes about three years.

Intervention staffing: The presentation noted that targeted reading interventionists are assigned in K–2 but that the district lacks dedicated reading interventionists in grades 3–5 and has no district-wide math interventionists. Several board members raised this as a resource gap that limits the district’s ability to provide consistent tiered interventions beyond early elementary grades.

Data use and next steps: Presenters said FastBridge is one data point among many; the district will continue to use the screener to identify students who need tiered supports and to align professional development with observed gaps. Board members asked for deeper, school-level and year-over-year comparisons and for additional reports (CBM math and CBM reading/autoreader measures) that teachers use for progress monitoring; staff said those reports can be produced but would increase presentation length and noted they are more targeted instructional measures rather than universal screeners.

The board received the report as informational; no formal board action was taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 10, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education - PART 1","oneSentenceSummary","District assessment staff presented midyear FastBridge screening results. The board discussed timing of screenings, curriculum alignment (Foundations, Bridges), the state Read Act and limited intervention staffing in intermediate grades.","taxTitle","PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE AREA SCHOOLS, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",38260,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6286163,"Board approves monthly financials amid debate over fund-balance timing and transportation costs",1319,1886000,3205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2564730-11969e23efc0aca709a5bc009df37294&start=1886&end=3205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2564730-11969e23efc0aca709a5bc009df37294/thumbnail_1886000.jpg","/articles/6286163/Minnesota/Board-approves-monthly-financials-amid-debate-over-fund-balance-timing-and-transportation-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286163-52d179962df6b74b89c82124ad3a2981/orig.mp4?Expires=1771055888&Signature=ibE6WWqhPGhGpEAeUloyDSmdLwzuu-neqSFSRIAsPHP2gBjRWaktIn~QK7w6GmAYAE~UE0KZMZRNrQExKUwxwhzdFHjcgz3S9Jvc8CoHZEN8UaxwYpH69dj55ztneeww4t1K0YmSMTRPhPvFW4ejYoXqosTfAgpAmb8R2iOmkFfZRUnWhaVSIFgyOVIY0dWdBv9lT4is~nchA2O0VFJezJRqBf1wUhf09YsXfGVeJDP9IvoXy4oHwaNYFRzVnVmCf27p2z60Hov4lP~UpdmQD5OydWpbvConiuaJmhvTGG-rST121gOECyHNh4edMPuxEopEygY5kst2c~-927Yqaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools board approved the meeting agenda and several consent items, including the monthly financial report, after extended discussion about fund-balance swings and projected transportation overages.

Board actions: The board approved the agenda (7–0; motion by Director France, second by Director Johnson); approved the consent agenda excluding two pulled items (motion by Director Atkinson, second by Director Bullion; 7–0); approved the monthly financial report (motion by Director Atkinson, second by Director Olstead; 7–0); approved district retirements (motion by Director Atkinson, second by Director France; 7–0); accepted a $700 gift from the Minneapolis Foundation and the Mdewakanton Sioux Community for Native Minnesota programming (motion by Director Johnson, second by Director Bullion; roll call 7–0); approved a booster-funded boys volleyball B-squad coaching position (motion by Director Frans, second by Director Mason; 7–0); and approved two temporary Community Ed positions (2 FTE for May–June, funded from the community services fund) (motion by Director Atkinson, second by Director Bullion; 7–0).

Fund-balance timing: A board member asked why the district’s unassigned fund balance fell from roughly $14.4 million (about 11.7%) in December to about $7.6 million (about 6.2%) in January. A business-office staff member explained this was a timing and reporting adjustment: categorical (restricted) dollars are assigned to program “buckets” once the office completes internal accounting entries ahead of the audit. That reclassification — not a cash transfer — was performed earlier in the fiscal year than in prior years, which made the January unassigned balance appear lower; staff said the February/FY-to-date numbers will reflect the correction and the unassigned balance was expected to rebound to about 9.1% as additional state revenue was received.

Transportation and projected deficit: The business office also reported transportation costs are running higher than anticipated. Staff said the district expects to spend roughly $2 million more than budgeted for transportation this year and that special-education and activity routes contributed to the overage; purchase-services is projected about 11% over prior-year levels. The board was told the preliminary cash-flow forecast shows a possible end-of-year negative variance of about $1.4 million (about a 2.3% variance from budget). Finance staff described steps underway to reduce costs — halting nonessential non‑salary purchases, limiting activity buses to one-way runs and pursuing two RFPs (regular education and special education transportation) — and said they were hopeful the deficit will be reduced as month-to-month actuals replace projections.

Reporting format: Board members debated replacing the existing monthly financial packet with a simplified cash‑flow summary showing balance sheets, year‑over‑year comparisons and percent-of-budget figures. Finance staff said the new cash‑flow presentation duplicates much of the monthly packet but agreed to explore a version that includes balance sheets, last-year comparisons and budget columns while minimizing manual preparation work.

Revenue projection: The business office presented a general fund revenue projection of $120,554,481 (preliminary, based on enrollment assumptions). Staff noted the state formula allowance inflation factor was set at 2.74% (slightly higher than the 2.5% assumed in the district budget, adding roughly $140,000) and that pending state legislation could alter final figures.

The board voted on the monthly financial report and related motions during the meeting; all motions listed above passed unanimously.","The board approved the agenda and monthly financial report and discussed a large month-to-month shift in unassigned fund balance tied to accounting timing and categorical allocations and rising transportation costs that could increase expenses by about $2 million.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6286168,"Prior Lake-Savage Unified Champion Schools expand to 11; students describe inclusion benefits",1040,328000,1368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2564730-11969e23efc0aca709a5bc009df37294&start=328&end=1368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2564730-11969e23efc0aca709a5bc009df37294/thumbnail_328000.jpg","/articles/6286168/Minnesota/Prior-Lake-Savage-Unified-Champion-Schools-expand-to-11-students-describe-inclusion-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286168-a4825b7efbbbe5821c53d847d30eb964/orig.mp4?Expires=1771055888&Signature=VV8UFUst5Ick-OZ-SIy0rNtEA~TG7k~ojkLiiudNK~gcD4HZ7HGC7mfmVd02vNkYT390SK-8PgDSie2EXxxoU4OgqDpVCTo-XNDhtq5mFPMz~6UymgDYESofSJ2kwLYkWxa484XVa6K8nNcUnslxs3RKrGFaykVHfLR3EcQnA1xazCQG6nwjIRiveiWo5rf8iEh0PPolBG3Wh56V6VcKNxXOPu4WxwG-ZAbaNX4DxLxd4TR8G7vZ56X~eykYsfYSZFbQOylMPFI-HmoONv9QHPibV9DS9n6MgWnMVL6QcT8ZUsiCcxJ2~aNYsVZHmljjHBKo9TE42pYFmfp3~WLavA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools reported rapid expansion of its Unified Champion Schools program, growing from two participating schools to 11 in one year, and staff and students described new inclusive classes, extracurricular activities and fundraising partnerships.

Superintendent Michael Thomas highlighted the growth and turned the presentation over to Michelle Chuka, who credited staff and student leadership for the expansion. \"More students with and without disabilities are learning, playing, and leading together through unified programming,\" Chuka told the board.

Staff and student speakers described district activities that now include Unified physical-education electives, a Unified cooking class (\"Unified FACS\"), unified track-and-field days, inclusive libraries, morning-announcement features and preschool inclusion activities. Hannah Ring, a speech pathologist at Prior Lake High School, summarized the program’s history and called the district \"one of 17 Unified Champion districts in Minnesota.\" Student leaders said the program helps build friendships and leadership: student Ethan Glenn said, \"Unified represents all students of all different disabilities ... we just really wanna give everybody the same opportunity at the high school.\"

Funding for the expansion comes in part from Polar Plunge fundraising: Megan Head explained that, as a unified district, about 50% of Polar Plunge proceeds now return to district programming (with 30% earmarked for sports team fundraising and 20% for unified programming). Head estimated the district would receive about $3,200 from recent Polar Plunge proceeds to support events and trips; staff also reported about $15,000 raised by a plunge team this year.

Staff described next steps including expanding unified classes at middle and high school levels, more inter-district events (a baseball game against Shakopee scheduled for May was mentioned) and exploration of inclusive playground equipment. Presenters emphasized that unified programming is voluntary for students and staff and that much of the work is staff- and student-driven.

The board received the update as an informational item; no action was required.","Board heard that the district’s Unified Champion Schools program grew from 2 to 11 schools in one year. Staff and students described inclusive activities, fundraising and plans to expand classes and events.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6286173,"Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools honored with Patriot Award for Guard and Reserve support",178,75000,253000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2564730-11969e23efc0aca709a5bc009df37294&start=75&end=253","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2564730-11969e23efc0aca709a5bc009df37294/thumbnail_75000.jpg","/articles/6286173/Minnesota/Prior-Lake-Savage-Area-Schools-honored-with-Patriot-Award-for-Guard-and-Reserve-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286173-d62e12955bb2a7824957ecbf46c86303/orig.mp4?Expires=1771055888&Signature=Q1qnGYgY1N1SF0yBAeVVf8t8SG7Yb-eF1PS3RaTY~VTzD~XQawPbDjz0dkKQViF8JLtlE5ZjpTOyf7aiXJ9WOPes8EMgR~ll5~3sq1f6zQYAYeWZ4H81D67ne1kIJAFExDtRqONvTvBwZGdPaw2id82an7Ol~br4zvtyxs9z7CjrDmgW~GmCq8lIMHJ4ZJBL9-iZWpKM3avrwljt8E~n9DKkbEqaCZAr6DakEraQUBqhvLcVIpJqZr5lhhHSm1k56jlSxYoSRDHGZy3q5GuyTqsUVvNuOCYzTNKwWjwtbKMbTnjgXihcG363gAiWYhBSRCWNM0bsDI3TreCSsUV6Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools received a Patriot Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) during the board of education meeting, recognizing district staff for support of employees serving in the U.S. National Guard and Reserve.

The award presentation was introduced by David Brown, who said he was \"privileged to be here tonight to present the Patriot Award\" for the district’s support during his 2024 deployment with the 304th Infantry Red Bull Division. Nick Swaggart, a volunteer with ESGR, described the organization’s work and read the citation from the Office of the Secretary of Defense recognizing Michael Thomas, Dan Edwards and Emily Herman \"as a patriotic employer for contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America's National Guard and Reserve Force.\"

Brown told the board the recognition was \"a small token of my appreciation\" for district support during his deployment and transition back to the classroom. He thanked district leaders and colleagues at Bridges Area Learning Center and called the district \"Army Strong\" for the care shown to service members and their families.

The presentation was delivered during the Laker Pride portion of the meeting and no formal board action was required.

The board acknowledged the award and adjourned that segment of the agenda to continue with other meeting business.","The district received a Patriot Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognizing staff who supported an employee’s military service. The presentation was made at the regular board meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Midyear FastBridge results prompt district discussion on literacy, math implementation and resource gaps

Board approves monthly financials amid debate over fund-balance timing and transportation costs

Prior Lake-Savage Unified Champion Schools expand to 11; students describe inclusion benefits

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools honored with Patriot Award for Guard and Reserve support