Hwy 87 parking lot added to paving project

By Robert Williams

Editor

Both principals reported on strong starts to the school year at the latest meeting of the Frazee-Vergas School Board on Monday, Sept. 8. One question that was raised was the adherence and response to the new cell phone and personal electronic devices policy.  ¶  The policy reads as:  Our top priority is ensuring students are in the best possible environment to succeed—both now and after graduation. By minimizing digital distractions, we’re creating more space for focused learning, collaboration, and the development of real-world skills that will support students in college, careers, and beyond. Cell phones and other non-school issued electronic devices (cell phones, Smart watches, earbuds, etc.) shall be turned off/silenced and kept in the student’s school locker or vehicle during the school day. Phones may be checked during passing times and at lunch.  ¶  If parents/guardians need to be in contact with their student, they are asked to call the main office.

“Nothing yet, but of course we’re really clamping down this week,” High School Principal Jason Smith said. “We were letting them get adjusted last week and the feedback I’ve gotten from staff has been so far good. We’ll keep an eye on it and make sure I’m visible and we’re around doing that. So far we’re off to a good start.”

Admin

Superintendent Terry Karger’s report included a thank you to the Frazee Area Community Club for providing the breakfast at the back to school meeting at the Event Center.

“They’ve done it forever; they do a nice job and people love it,” he said. 

A school lunch was put on the same day by new PCN Grant Coordinator Karlie Lehmann and her team.

Enrollment

Enrollment at the elementary school is down 34 students from the end of the 2025 school year with 407 students compared to 441. The majority of that difference was due to a much smaller kindergarten class of 37 students compared to 68 this past May. The full class breakdown of students per class is 40 in Pre-K, 37 in kindergarten, 66 in first grade, 56 in second grade, 64 in third grade, 62 in fourth grade, 60 in fifth grade and 62 in sixth grade.

The high school is down 16 students from the end of last school year 392 compared to 408. Broken down: seventh grade has 58 pupils, eighth grade 65, 74 freshmen, 60 sophomores, 66 juniors and 69 seniors.

Hornet Pride

The board approved acceptance of the following monetary donations:

• $300 from Vergas United Methodist Church for Elementary Activity Account

• $100 from Yak Shack for Hornet Kids

• $100 from OK Lumber & Hardware for Hornet Kids

In-kind donations:

Amanda and  Jeremy Aho, Baumgart’s Creamery, Frazee Family Foods, Ketter’s Meats, Mark’s Fleet, McDonald’s, Shooting Star Casino to Hornet Kids (Latchkey)

Lakes Country Service Cooperative donated a 2018 5×8 Enclosed Trailer to the District

Parking lots

Sidewalks were poured on Monday, Sept. 8 and paving was expected at the back kitchen area parking lot by Friday, according to Karger. Next up is the softball parking lot. 

A surprise is that the largest parking lot across State Highway 87 will be paved due to the rates received on the abatement bond for the project combined with very competitive bids on the project. The board approved putting the lot paving within the structures of the abatement bond later in the meeting—a change order to Howard’s Driveway in the amount of $209,650.

“Everything played out so well we can now tackle that parking lot across the road,” said Karger.

Staffing

The board approved the following hires:

• Lindsay Cox as a part-time Custodian

• Lynn Tappe as the C-team Volleyball Coach

• Valerie Turnbull as a High School Special Ed Paraeducator

• Tina Newling as the District School Nurse

The board approved the following resignations:

• Reese Hanson as a Paraprofessional

• Brenna Maijala as a Paraprofessional

• Lynn Tappe as the eighth grade volleyball coach

• Beth Breitenfeldt as the Hornets Kids (Latchkey) Aide

Ticket booth

The football field and track and field complex has a new ticket booth thanks to choir teacher Aaron Paulson, who completed work on the new booth over the summer with help from Aaron Boyer and Brian Selander. The work was paid for by donations. The booth includes a plaque honoring the larger donors.

The next school board meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m., at the high school Media Center.