New officers elected for 2024 school board

By Robert Williams

Editor

The Frazee-Vergas School Board honored Elementary School Custodian and Maintenance worker Jim Ueke, who retired at the end of 2023 after serving the district in many different capacities for 14 years.

“He carried a forklift license for us, which was very valuable; a boiler license, trained in asbestos and respiratory training, so he carried a lot of positions down that way,” said Superintendent Terry Karger. “We wish you nothing but the best in your retirement.”

Outgoing chairman Thaddeus Helmers presented Ueke with a commemorative plaque for his years of service.

Organization

The board held nominations and elections of officers for 2024.

Kimbely Antonsen was elected the new chairman, replacing Helmers. Nathan Matejka replaced Antonsen as Vice Chair. Daneele Shipman will continue as the board clerk and Tammie Nunn was named to the treasurer position.

The board also completed committee assignments for the year.

Board compensation was also discussed. While most of the board members’ compensation was on par with school boards around the region, pay for school board meetings had not been adjusted since before 2009. Pay for meetings has remained at $60 plus mileage per meeting. According to Karger, a review of 25 area school boards noted a distinct difference with the average pay being $95 in the surrounding area.

After discussions with Karger, Matejka suggested $85 per meeting with no mileage reimbursement and that was adopted.

“I don’t think anybody here is comfortable with raising it just to make extra money,” said Matejka. ”Nobody here wants to raise it to be the most in the area. We’re raising the regular meeting wage, but a little bit of give-and-take with the mileage part.”

Elementary

Principal Travis Nagel reported on the elementary school noting the fifth and sixth grade music concerts were a success. Nagel credited Ms. Matejka with an excellent job after hearing many positive compliments afterwards, along with thanking Mr. Selander for his guidance in the process.

The elementary school completed its annual fundraiser raising an impressive total of about $15,000. 

“That’s outstanding,” said Helmers.

“That will help us do a lot of the extra things at school,” said Nagel. “Field trips and special events at school—that’s what that will be used for. It will go right back to the kids.”

The top fundraiser received a limo bus ride with a friend courtesy of Anderson Bus. The top class (Mrs. Burton’s class) received Hornet Pride tumblers and the top individual fundraiser gets to be the principal for the day with Nagel.

High school

Principal Jason Smith’s report included a positive trend in enrollment numbers. 

“It’s not growing by leaps and bounds, but we are definitely seeing growth and it’s going in the right direction, which is great,” Smith said.

The district is up seven students over this time last year.

Smith also announced second semester Student Teachers: Karli Knopf (UMN) with Ms. Mitchell (CTE). Kayla Wendt (MSUM) with Mr. Reierson (Social Studies). Roger Thorp (MSUM) continuing with Mr. Rader (Social Studies). 

Thorp has been at the school all year providing instruction in multiple roles.

“We are meeting with a potential counselor practicum student Paige Schaefer for next year this week as well,” said Smith.

Kendra Wattenhofer, a first-year Emotional Behavior Disorders –  Special Education teacher, will be receiving her Minnesota Educator Tier 3 License Application.

Superintendent

Karger invited Positive Community Norms Coordinator Heidi Moen and District Registered Nurse Amber Hanson to present to the board on the PCN grant usage, along with a health services update, respectively.

Food Service

The Minnesota Department of Health’s Food Inspection Reports for both schools recorded zero violations.

Food service outstanding charges were zeroed out in fiscal year 2020. According to Karger, this was made possible by donations.

During a review of food service sales. It was noted the district has claimed approximately 75 percent of sales made during the year. The district will attempt to collect on outstanding charges by contacting responsible parties for payment or arranging payment plans to collect balances due. Currently the district contacts responsible parties on a monthly basis.

The balance of outstanding charges as of Jan. 4  is $19,441.25. The lunch debt exists from 2020 and was a reflection of the district auditor’s concern.

“We’ve been very open and honest. We’re going to feed our kids. I, too, believe it is hard to educate a hungry child,” said Karger. “Because we feed, we have debt, but we’re going to continue to do what we can to go after the debt respectfully.”

This year all students eat free due to Gov. Tim Walz’s Free School Meals bill that was approved in March of 2023.

Re-roofing project

The school board approved the bidding issuance process for the upcoming roofing projects at both schools.