Frazee-Vergas School District sets 2025 proposed pay levy at 6.66 percent

By Robert Williams

Editor

Former board member Simon George was appointed in mid-October to fill the vacancy left by former Chair Kimberly Antonsen and will complete the remainder of the term until January of 2027, according to Chairman Nathan Matejka.  ¶  George made his first appearance at a meeting Monday, Dec. 9, after waiting the 30-day petitionary period to allow for a rejection of the appointee. George completed the acceptance of office and took the official oath of office on Thursday, Nov. 21.  ¶  George’s employment history includes: the managing attorney of the Seventh Judicial District Public Defender’s Offices in Becker and Douglas counties. He was also a part time public defender in the Seventh Judicial District Public Defender’s Office, while also operating a private criminal defense practice, including an office he had in Frazee. George’s community involvement has included volunteering with Rotary International and Shriners International, along with being a former member of the Frazee-Vergas School Board.

Incoming board member Ashley Mohn was also in attendance. Moen will be inducted at the reorganization meeting in January.

Truth in Taxation

The School District set the 2025 proposed pay levy at 6.66 percent.

Superintendent Terry Karger and District Business Manager Chrissy Clapsaddle held a public hearing to discuss the levy and review the fiscal budget for 2025.

Components of the district tax levy are either state formula set by legislature or voter approved, as authorized by the state, such as operating referendums or building bonds.

Frazee has not had a referendum in the past 15 years and is one of 94 of the 325 districts in the state without one.

The legislature sets most of everything concerning the Frazee levy. The district has sought voter approval for a building bond in the past.

The county assessor and county auditor determine market value and calculated tax capacity. The auditor divides the total levy by the total tax capacity of the district to determine the needed tax rate.

The district received most of its funds from the state, beginning with the General Education Formula. 

“It’s huge, 70 percent of what we have to run our district comes from the Gen Ed Formula,” said Karger.

The formula is tied to how many students are enrolled in the district. 

The tax base provides the next level of funding, approximately 16 percent, making up nearly all of the budget with the state.

The federal government accounts for less than 10 percent and the remaining 4-5 percent come from other local sources.

The General Education formula will trail the current rate of inflation by $1,364 per pupil in fiscal year 2025.

“What many schools do, about two-thirds of the districts in the state, cover that difference with an operating referendum, thus, you don’t have to have some of the discussions we have on how do we balance the budget? We are behind. We are making strides but that’s why we have a situation where we’re continually fighting to balance our budget,” said Karger.

According to Clapsaddle, there are three changes to the 2025 budget of significance: a 2 percent increase in the Gen Ed formula; a negotiation increase and the roof project acceleration.

“We were able to finish the roof project last summer, instead of it spreading over multiple summers, which means we had more expenditures quicker,” she said. 

Elementary fundraiser

Principal Travis Nagel reported that the annual elementary fundraiser raised nearly $21,000 to be utilized for field trips and other activities to enhance the learning of students.

CTE

Karger praised the efforts of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Instructor Mr. Boyer and the Construction Trades classes for their efforts in building and installing the dugouts at the new junior varsity baseball field.

Superintendent contract

Karger’s contract expires in the summer of 2025 and he made a request to discuss a 2 percent salary increase on a two-year extension with no other changes to the existing contract.

The 2025-27 contract was passed unanimously.

Chairman Matejka praised Karger for his efforts and cited the contract being “more than acceptable,” mainly because the typical three-year contract was limited to two years, based on Karger’s intention to retire at the end of the 2027 school year.

“My wishes would be to step down from my career in education at this district,” Karger said. 

The retirement date is not set in stone; Karger noted that is his intention to retire, but he is willing to do what’s best for the district if something should occur that would delay his retirement.