$36k committed to fund outdoor facilities project

By Robert Williams

Editor

The Frazee-Vergas School District’s outdoor facilities project has been the benefactor of four large donations since the last board meeting. The donations were announced during the school  board’s Hornet Pride portion of the meeting held Monday, Feb. 13.

Arvig led the way with a donation of $15,000 to the outdoor facilities project. United Community Bank and BTD Manufacturing each donated $10,000. Brian Bigger of Global Talent Solutions-Ag, Biofuels & Renewable Energy donated $1,000 to the project.

“That’s a lot of donations,” said board chair Thaddeus Helmers. “It’s always been impressive, ever since I’ve been on the board, the community has always found ways to donate, whether it’s 25 bucks or several thousand dollars. We know there is a lot of support out there.”

The Frazee Lions made multiple donations including $3,000 for elementary field trips and $300 toward the purchase of a pair of glasses, which will stay in the school to be used by students dealing with a broken pair of glasses.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church donated $100 for needs at the elementary school.

Lakeshirts donated T-shirts to the dance team for sections.

Essentia Health donated $100 for their employee volunteer program.

Bell Bank donated $30 for the custom car donation.

Band trip

Frazee band director Brian Selander presented plans for the annual band trip for eighth through 11th graders. This year, the band is returning to Disney World in Orlando departing Friday, March 15 for a five-night stay. The band will visit Universal Studios, along with the Disney theme parks, and spend a day at Cocoa Beach. Disney officials decide when and where the band performs. The last time the band played Disney they marched in Magic Kingdom Park. 

This year’s group will include 65 students and 15 adult chaperones. It’s the largest group that Selander has taken on a trip.

The band has been invited to play at the March 31 Minnesota Timberwolves game versus the Los Angeles Lakers at Target Center. 

Printing changes

Information Technology Coordinator announced a change in companies that provide printing services for the district. The current lease for the business is up this coming summer, which allowed Norby to explore other options.

Norby also provided some background on printer usage in the district and how it has become more efficient. Prior to 2014, there were 22 printers and copiers throughout the district. That number has since dropped to seven copiers and four standalone printers.

“We’ve really cut that number down and we feel that is an appropriate amount,” said Norby.

Liberty Business Systems, Inc., provided an acceptable bid for future services.

Managed Print Expert Brett Overturf and Account Manager Chris Johnson worked with Norby and presented their proposal to the board.

CornerStone

Creating Community Consulting CEO Karen Pifher and former Frazee mayor Ken Miosek presented an update on the youth facility and received praise and approval from the school board on how the school can partner with CornerStone for the betterment of students.

Pifher’s presentation covered the history of how CornerStone was created as a space for youth that had a business model to cover funding and what is coming as the center continues to evolve over the coming months.

An action item for the near future is a partnership between both CornerStone and the school, pending any legal red tape.

“I’m so excited for our town to have this,” board member Daneele Shipman said.

Multiple board members offered their support and future collaboration once the board is informed on how they can legally contribute to the organization.

School website, 

social media

Norby also presented an update on the school’s website, (www.frazee.k12.mn.us) which the school now hosts as a cost-saving manner, along with allowing for more flexibility on design and what data is displayed.

Norby also discussed the district’s recent “Why Frazee-Vergas?” social media campaign.The four-month, marketing campaign showcases the benefits of living in this area and how it’s a safe environment for children. It also focuses on life in small towns, fun things to do, downtown businesses, and other positive aspects of both communities.

“There are so many people that know about Frazee-Vergas, but don’t know about Frazee-Vergas and don’t know about all the things that are so cool about these communities,” said Norby.

Elementary report

Elementary school principal Travis Nagel reported updated enrollment numbers. The elementary school currently serves a total of 431 students. There are 72 sixth grade students with the second grade class being the smallest at 56 kids.

Nagel also reported on Early Childhood Family Education numbers, which are split into different groups: Hornet Academy for kids 4 and older; Colony for both 3 and 4-year-olds; Mixed Ages and Hive.

There is not a waiting list for any of the groups. There are 31 students enrolled in the Academy split into two sections. The groups meet four days per week or a two-day a week option is also available. Colony has 8 students enrolled that meet twice per week for a full day.

Mixed ages has a dozen kids. The group meets evenings with parents. There are five kids, age 3, in HIve who meet twice per week for two hours without parents.

Administration report

Superintendent Terry Karger’s report included budget revisions for 2023 and a very preliminary budget forecast for next school year.

Revised numbers for 2023 will be reported at the April meeting. One of the positive highlights was a previous report of $1.2 million of deficit spending projected last summer that was dropped to $345,000 due to a successful application to receive Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) monies.

“We were able to get all the money we could from ESSERs, which brought down our deficit spending considerably from where it was,” said Karger. “This is pretty good compared to where we were last July when we presented it.”

The projected 2024 budget was based on assumptions that numbers would again be similar to the prior year, which allowed for a base projection against formula increases.

“A lot of assumptions moving forward to come up with a rough estimation of where we’re at,” said Karger.

Board member Nathan Matejka confirmed with Karger that the projection is based on very conservative numbers, almost the worst case.

Staffing

Amy Kilde was hired as the new Positive Community Norms (PCN) senior high youth leader. Kilde will be joined by Sara Jacobson, who was hired as the junior high PCN youth leader.

Lindsay Kennedy was recommended for hire for a paraprofessional position.

Head cross country coach Megan Galligan will be hired as the junior high track coach.

Physical education teacher Chad Heimer will fill a vacant junior high baseball coaching position.

Judy Rue was recommended as a half-time elementary music teacher and half-time gifted and talented teacher.

The board accepted the resignation of Becky Matejka, the assistant dance coach.

Girls hockey

The board approved the application to the Minnesota State High School League for cooperative sponsorship in girls hockey, joining with Detroit Lakes, New York Mills, Perham and Wadena-Deer Creek in a girls hockey cooperative agreement, with the team to be hosted by Detroit Lakes.

A decline in participation numbers in Detroit Lakes created the need for more players. The co-op is being done to keep the Detroit Lakes girls hockey team in Class A, not to enhance to a Class AA status.