By Robert Williams

Editor

The Legislature recently approved the creation of a Seasonal Tax Base Replacement Aid (TBRA) program. Under this legislation, the district will qualify for Seasonal TBRA. Superintendent Terry Karger led a discussion on the topic during his Administrative update session at the School Board meeting Monday, June 8.

“This is a positive for our district but not immediately,” said Karger.

Because the district does not currently have an operating referendum, there is no immediate impact.

Based on current estimates, the District’s TBRA factor is approximately 28 percent. Communities need to have at least 15 percent to qualify.

Should the District pursue an operating referendum in the future, the new state aid would reduce the tax impact on local property owners by roughly 28 percent. 

“This aid fills that gap,” Karger said. “This is huge for us down the road. This makes it much more palatable, in the future for the district to go out and say, ‘If you vote for an operating referendum, yes your taxes are going to go up, however, the state’s going to kick in that 28 percent,” said Karger.

Facility use 

Karger and Activities Director Nick Courneya discussed and restructured facility use as it pertains to In-Season / the Activities Director and Out-of-Season/ Community Education guidelines.

The main focus was to reduce the workload as the demands of the Activities Director continue to accumulate. Scheduling was restructured. The AD oversees and schedules in-season and outdoor facilities, other than summer recreation. Community Education is stepping in to take over scheduling and facility use for non-MSHSL and out of season activities.

Karger also stressed for insurance reasons that the supervision on duty during facility use is paramount when it comes to reporting and liability.

Facility usage has three options:

• Community Education

Facility use is organized through Community Education. This is the simplest and most streamlined option.

• Coach-Led Use / Scheduled through Community Education

Facilities may be used by coaches when no fees are charged and no money is exchanged.

• For-Profit Organizations / Scheduled through Community Education

For-profit entities may use district facilities by paying applicable usage fees and providing proof of liability coverage that meets the requirements established by the district’s insurance provider.

Open gym activities administered through Community Education must comply with Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) guidelines.

Key requirements include:

• The facility must be open for a variety of activities.

• Participation must be available to all students.

• No coaching or sport-specific skill instruction related to school sports may occur.

• Attendance cannot be required or used as a factor in team selection.

• High school coaches may not conduct drills, provide coaching, participate in pickup games, or otherwise influence student participation.

Budget

The board reviewed and approved the revised school district budget for fiscal year 2026.

District Business Manager Chrissy Clapsaddle discussed five funds: the general fund, food service, community education, building construction and debt service.

Clapsaddle focused mainly on the general fund with revenue projection down due to the projection being based on an enrollment of 807, a decrease of 26 students, primarily due to a smaller than average kindergarten class, which fluctuated between 36 and 38 students this year.

“With the reduced enrollment we lost revenue, however, we did increase in special ed revenue, so the overall general fund revenue did increase,” she said. 

Expenditures also increased, led by contract settlements and an increase to substitutes and additional hours expenses.

“Overall, the projected deficit for our general fund is at -$750,000, so it’s about $250,000 more than we were projecting last June,” Clapsaddle said. 

PCN donation

The district has received a generous gift of a new water fountain. Funds were provided by the Positive Community Norms grant and Coordinator Karlie Lehmann. The grant window of five years has elapsed, as has Lehmann’s position. The PCN  work will continue through the My Voice is Powerful (MVP) youth coalition and CornerStone.

“Kudos to her and we thank her greatly for what she did this year too,” said Karger. 

Lehmann was one of three PCN coordinators over the length of the program joining LeeAnn Felix and Heidi Moen. 

Recognition

Recently selected teachers of the year were recognized – Nancy Moore at the high school and Jim Jacobson at the elementary school.

Staffing

The board approved the following: 

Hiring a Full-Time Lead Food Service Worker-Elementary Julie Gengler

Hiring Summer Technology Help Michelle Sharp

Resignation of the Assistant Softball Coach Taylor Greenwood

Resignation of Co-Head Wrestling Coach Travis Nagel

The Independent Contracts for Jason Smith, Danielle Adams, Velva Lewis and Heidi Moen.

Retirement of Staff Members: Deanna Jepson- Paraeducator. Jepson began her career in August of 1990 and completed 36 years working for the district.

Marcie Bucholz- Paraeducator. Bucholz began her career in November of 2002 and completed 24 years working for the district.

Adult Basic Education

This annual agreement with the Detroit Lakes Literacy Consortium for Adult Basic Education services provided to residents.

Course guide

The 2026-2027 High School Course Registration Guide was reviewed and approved.

Additional Funding

The board previously approved funding based on an estimated cost of $30,000 for a Domain Controller purchase. Due to ongoing volatility in the technology market, the original pricing is no longer available, resulting in an increased project cost. An additional $22,800 is needed to complete the purchase and implementation of the Domain Controller.

A domain controller is a central server responsible for managing network security, authenticating user credentials, and enforcing access policies within a computer network domain.

The increase was approved.

Enrollment

The District received the Enrollment Options Applications for enrollment out of the District to: Detroit Lakes (2), and into District: (4).

Hornet Pride

The following donations were approved:

Monetary Donations:

Vergas United Methodist Church- $300 Donation for Day of Caring 2026

Todd and Markay Larson- $250 Donation to Weight Room

Casey’s General Store- $17.20 Donation to Frazee Elementary School

Donald and Jeanne Greenwood- $100 Donation for Day of Caring 2026

Summer Rec 2026 (Community Education): All listed below

Backwoods (Ice Cracking Lodge)- $100

Detroit Lakes Funeral Homes, Inc.- $150

J.C. Electric, Inc.- $100

K.L.N Enterprises, Inc.- $350

Team Industries- $500

Ag Country Farm Credit Services-$200

Ames & Peterson Orthodontics- $200

At Ease Dock & Lift, Inc.- $250

Foltz Buildings LLC- $200

Franklin Fence-$1000

Horace Mann/Valley Educators Insurance Services- $150

Kiwanis Club of Detroit Lakes- $200

Lamb-Weston/RDO Frozen- $100

Mike’s Lock & Key Service- $75

Ness Granite Works, Inc.- $300

Nyhus Family Sales- $250

Perham Stockyards- $50

Pettow Construction dba Andy Pettow Construction- $150

Michelle and Michael Sharp- $2500

Tomlinson Schultz-$100

United Community Bank- $1000

Vergas 66 Gas & Convenience Store- $100

Vergas State Bank- $100

Yak-Shack Beauty Salon- $100

In-Kind Donations:

Dacotah Paper- 2 cases of can liners for Day of Caring 2026