By Deb Pint, Correspondent
Erin Haust knows a good thing when she sees it. She believes that the Prior Lake-Savage Area School District is excellent and that the current board has done a good job to maintain that excellence.

“I don’t think the board needs a major overhaul, but I do think it needs a little tweaking. I want to be part of something that is already good, and I think the skills and experience I can bring to the table will help it function even better,” she said.

The biggest issue she sees facing the district today is its continued growth.

“We are still in a growth mode and because of that, we need a long-term vision for its future. We obviously have to solve temporary problems, but in general, my focus would be on formulating a long-term vision for the district and its students,” she explained.

Overcrowding in the district’s schools, particularly in the high school, is also an issue that Haust knows must be dealt with.

“District-wide, we have enough space for our students and we even have room to grow up to an additional 1,000 students per our self-imposed capacity. However, the space is not used appropriately,” she pointed out.

According to Haust, even the high school has enough space, but it does not have enough teachers nor enough differentiated classrooms such as labs.

“We don’t need to build more schools, but we do need to use our space more efficiently,” Haust stated.

Haust also believes in fiscal accountability.

“We are still in the black, and I want it to stay that way. The Prior Lake-Savage community deserves a high level of fiscal accountability from their School Board representatives. Simply put, we shouldn’t spend money we don’t have, and there should be transparency in the budget and spending.”

She also feels strongly that the board must be the springboard that puts schools back on track to meet and exceed Adequate Yearly Progress, as currently defined by the No Child Left Behind act.

Haust and her husband, Matt, have three children, including a third-grader and a fifth-grader at Five Hawks Elementary School and a preschooler who will enter kindergarten next year.

They have lived in Prior Lake for a year and a half and chose Prior Lake for their home because of its excellent school system, she said.
“We hope to stay here throughout our children’s educational years, because we believe strongly in the schools,” she stated.

She also feels that being new to the area gives her a fresh perspective. Haust has volunteered in other school districts in the past and also has volunteered on others’ political campaigns.

Haust graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida with a degree in communications and marketing. She has more than 10 years of professional experience in management, human resources and communications in both the public and private sectors.

There are six candidates competing for three seats on the board in the Nov. 3 election.

When asked why she decided to run for the board this year, she said, “Now is a good time for me. I care about the future of the school district and I just felt that it was my time to step up to the plate and do my part to help provide our students with every opportunity to reach their full potential.

“I will be responsive and receptive to parents and students, teachers, staff and administrators and the community at large, encouraging open dialogue,” she continued. “Our entire community is directly impacted by the success of our public schools and therefore, the entire community should have a voice.”

She also said she feels pride and optimism for the school district.

“We have excellent schools and administration, and I want to keep the momentum going,” she said.