District, Community Club to work on bringing pickleball courts to Frazee

By Robert Williams

Editor

As part of Superintendent Terry Karger’s monthly report, Stellher Mental Health Therapist Hailey Brower gave a mental health update to the Frazee-Vergas School Board on Monday, Feb. 10. Brower works for Stellher Human Services and is contracted to the high school via grant funding, along with Maddie Ramsey at the elementary school.

Brower was joined by Freshwater School Counselor Marty Thorp and Counselor Intern Paige Schaefer.

Brower reported on the the number of students currently using mental health services at both schools: Elementary 34 students; 9 referrals out; 2 on waitlist. High school 27 students; 5 referrals out.

Referrals are students awaiting the completion of paperwork to begin utilizing services. Waitlist are families that have expressed interest in the services and are beginning the paperwork stage.

Students being served by grades:

Grade-Students served

K-3   7-5

1-3   8-5

2-5   9-3

3-7  10-7 

4-5  11-3

5-4  12-3

6-7

Since September, there have been 1,019 hours billed for Stellher services. Students are assisted in both individual and group skills work. Brower’s typical day consists of seeing 5-7 individuals per day and a group session for at least 30-45 minutes.

Nearly half of the kids served (46.7 percent) are receiving services to treat generalized anxiety disorder; followed by: 17.6 percent PTSD; 15.8 percent severe stress; 8 percent ADHD; 5.3 percent major depressive disorder.

According to Brower, the PTSD numbers are the biggest change since last year being the second-highest diagnosis. Major depressive disorder was in that position in 2024, now the lowest.

“A lot of kids have experienced trauma in our buildings and that has caused a lot of kids to seek out and wanting services, which is great,” Brower said.

Both Schaefer and Thorp submitted lengthy, written letters of support for the work that Brower, Ramsey and Stellher provide to students and also the positive impact it has on their positions in the counseling office.

Schaefer noted the scope of services provided by Stellher provides long-term, structured services while counselors can concentrate on short-term counseling.

“Her work is instrumental in the success of students at Frazee High School,” said Schaefer.

Thorp echoed Schaefer’s sentiments describing the work done by Stellher professionals as an invaluable resource, noting Brower covers a much-needed therapy role which would otherwise prevent students from getting the help they need.

“The benefits they bring to our students and school community cannot be overstated,” said Thorp.

School Board Treasurer Tammie Nunn spoke, giving her appreciation for the annual report and the work Brower and Ramsey are doing.

“It’s changed a lot,” said Brower. “This is my third school year here. When I started I think we had 27 kids total, now that is just the number of high school kids in the program.”

Karger discussed the uncertainty of funding in education and also the large role that compensatory aid plays in the district.

Enrollment

The elementary school currently has 464 students, including 26 in Pre-K. Pre-K numbers have been consistent throughout the year. The elementary numbers have fluctuated between 438 and 447 since September.

At the high school, grades 7-12  total 405 students, up 35 from the end of last school year.

Principal Jason Smith credited Dani Adams and Trescha Mitchel for the redesign of Snoball this  year. The week-long event was non-formal, consisting of daily games and competitions with a dance at the end of the week.

“It was a really great way to take something that we’ve done for a lot of years and put a new spin on it and I think it went really well and I’m excited that we’re going to have a chance to keep doing it this way forward,” Smith said.

Smith also encouraged parents to attend the upcoming parent teacher conferences this week.

Personnel

The school board approved the following:

• Retirement of the school psychologist Bardie Skjonsberg.

• Hiring of Amanda Aschnewitz for a full-time food service position

• Hiring of Pat Starbeck as a Junior High Baseball Coach

Hornet Pride

The district received the following donations:

• $825 from Arvig Enterprises, Inc., and $200 from KLN Enterprises, Inc., for a table for Latch Key.

• The weight room activity account received donations from Martin Thorp $250, Roger Thorp $250, Joe Mollberg $100 and Sonnenberg Excavation $250.

Pickleball

The board approved engaging in a partnership with Frazee Area Community Club (FACC) for the purpose of constructing Pickleball Courts on district property and, in addition, permit staff and council members to engage with ICS Consulting to develop the scope of the project.

Hornets Pathways

The board also approved an initiative to incorporate career pathways into the High School, to be known as Hornets Pathways. The initiative will provide students with valuable opportunities to explore career options, gain hands-on experience, and develop skills that align with workforce needs.

ECFE

The school board unanimously approved the Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program to move to 5 days per week for the 2025-26 School Year.