By Robert Williams

Editor

Both principals updated the continuous improvement plan (CIP) at both schools during the December school board meeting. The CIP supports operational excellence through transparent communication and data-driven monitoring of student academic performance. The quarterly and semester targets allow for timely intervention, progress tracking, and shared accountability among instructional and operations teams.

Principal Nagel focused on core values and goals from assessment improvement to drive instruction and creating relationships with elementary students and highlighting the student experience. 

Principal Smith spoke on goals for the year of the Professional Learning Community (PLC) teams. PLC teams are collaborative groups of educators, often subject-specific (like math or history teachers) or grade-level, who meet regularly to analyze student data, share strategies, and design interventions to improve teaching and boost student achievement through shared goals and mutual accountability, focusing on what students learn, how success is measured, and how to support struggling learners.

“We were so impressed with the professionalism, the thoroughness, with the attention to both detail and brevity that was gifted by so many of these PLC teams,” Smith said. “We often skate past the idea that we have great teachers, and they are, but they’re also excellent professionals.”

Smith also noted the relevance of the CIP and its goals and how it makes the school a better place.

Business

The following items were approved:

• Approval of the Contract for Services with Becker County Community Health for Child and Teen Check-Ups. This contract is for Child and Teen Check-Ups for ages 3-6 years old at a rate of $70 per child.

• Approval of the 2026-2027 School Board Meeting Calendar.

• Approval of an addition of Minnesota Paid Leave to the Frazee-Vergas Employee Handbook for leaves beginning January 1, 2026.

• Approval of the District Audit Report by Brady Martz and Associates.

• Approval and Certification of Payable 2026 Property Tax Levy

• Approval of the 2025-2027 Frazee Educational Association (FEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement

• Approval of Independent Contract Agreements for 2025-2027 school years, including: Travis Nagel, Chrissy Clapsaddle, Nick Courneya, Gretchen Norby, April Wurst, Kitti Kivi-Lex.

• Approval of the Freshwater Education District Associate Membership Renewal for 2026-2027.

Enrollment

Elementary

End ‘24-25, Dec. 

PreK 26, 40

K 68, 37

1 59, 66

2 65, 57

3 64, 66

4 64, 62

5 62, 60

6 59, 63

Total 441, 411

High School

7 70, 61

8 77, 66

9 67, 76

10 68, 60

11 72, 65

12 54, 69

Total 408, 397

The school board approval of the School District Enrollment Options Program Applicants

Background: The District received the enrollment option applications for out of the District to: Detroit Lakes (2) and (1) into the District.

Facilities

A work order quote for repairing and replacing the elementary cafeteria curtain house was received from HandB Specialized Products. It was determined the hoist was beyond repair and will be replaced for $4,089.

Midco provided an undisclosed donation to the future pickleball courts and also made a request to provide internet connection there, which will be determined once the courts are closer to completion.

Hornet Pride

Monetary Donations:

• Conf. of Christian Mothers Frazee- $375 for the Elementary Activity Fund

In-Kind Donations:

• Dave Osterman donated 200 board feet of sawn white oak to Basic Woods and Construction Trades Class.

• Marshall Strom donated (2) Custom Frazee-Vergas Public School Framed Plaques

Retirement

The district and the teacher’s union, Frazee Education Association, are identifying solutions to budget issues in an effort to limit personnel reductions where possible. A memorandum of understanding between the district and union was agreed to offer early retirement incentives for employees covered under the Teacher Master Agreement.

Research and information is being collected by the district, including from several districts in the region that currently have an agreement in place.

“It is new for us,” said Superintendent Terry Karger. “It has to come to be where it’s a win-win, something which if we engaged the loss of revenue would not be on us. We’re trying to find that balance.”

Board members Tyler Trieglaff, Mike Frank and Daneele Shipman reported on the latest meeting with the FEA and how wages were agreed to without a need for negotiation in what was a smooth process. Shipman, Frank and Trieglaff completed negotiations with the FEA. The FEA certified staff ratified the proposed 2025-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement on Nov. 25.

Staffing

The board approved the following:

• Resignation of an Elementary Paraeducator, Vanessa Jager, effective Nov. 26.

• Resignation of a Full-Time Lead Elementary Food Service Worker Joanne Mastin, effective immediately.

• Resignation of the Assistant Football Coach Nick Courneya, effective Nov.26.

• Reclassify from At-Will to FEA Master Agreement – Tina Newling has completed her needed course work and documentation to become a Licensed School Nurse.

• Hiring a Paraeducator for the High School Kelly Gabriel.

• Hiring a Paraeducator for the Elementary Catherine Hiemenz.

• Hiring an Elementary Lead Food Service Worker Todd Dormanen.

• Hiring a Paraeducator for the High School Hunter Wilson.

• Hiring a Latch Key Aide Bethanie Skunberg.

• Hiring a Long Term Substitute for the Elementary Elaine Palmer

The next school board meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at 6 p.m., in the High School Media Center.