By Robert Williams

Editor

Barb Dorn, Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) Director of Leadership Development and Executive Search, made a virtual presentation and proposal to the Frazee-Vergas School Board on Monday, Sept. 14, to discuss the process and explain options for an upcoming five to six meetings in finding a replacement for Superintendent Terry Karger, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Dorn began with a brief explanation of the MSBA and its support for school boards only.

“We are there to support your board in the search; we don’t come in and run the search and make the decisions and tell you what to do,” she said. “We come in with the process, the options, we will make recommendations at each step of the way, but ultimately the board in Frazee-Vergas is going to own this search.”

Much of the decision-making is done in an initial planning meeting to set deadlines, meeting dates and times, involving the public and stakeholder input, a leadership profile and hiring criteria.

The job will be posted after gathering all the data from the opening meeting.

MSBA includes surveys to community leaders, staff and students to gather feedback on priorities regarding candidate background, skill set, experience and personal characteristics.

A search preview meeting is held with internal district leadership, followed by an informational, online question and answer session for all staff and community members, followed by input forums or an interview committee.

The MSBA superintendent job openings webpage receives more than 7,000 hits per month. Also used are the Minnesota Association of School Administrators and Minnesota EdPost, hosted by St. Cloud State University.

“We also send out emails to our database to all the superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, etc., who have applied to have notifications of new searches sent to them,” said Dorn.

The opening will also be posted nationally using the National Affiliation of Superintendent Searches network.

Other advertising options are available at a cost and must be approved by the board to utilize.

There are no closed meetings during the search, however, there are privacy laws in effect. No applicants will be named, as they are private data. Once applications are selected to be interviewed, then the names of the interviewees will be made public.

Dorn’s 30-minute presentation discussed the actions coming in five to six meetings or work sessions to complete the process, followed by a question and answer period with the school board.

In 2026-26, MSBA led 24 superintendent searches statewide including Aitkin, Benson, Brainerd, Crookston, Edina, Fosston, Jackson County Central, Lac qui Parle, Minnewaska, Pillager, Wadena-Deer Creek, Wayzata, among others.

The meeting was informational only, as Karger has yet to officially submit his letter of resignation which he stated will be done prior to the October school board meeting.

The school board will begin discussions after the resignation is official on pursuing the search with MSBA or not.

Karger also complimented the board on their efforts in line with September having been designated as Minnesota School Board Recognition Month by the Minnesota School Boards Association to honor local elected officials for their service to public schools.

“I am truly grateful for the work you guys do, your willingness to serve, your leadership, your commitment,” said Karger. “Most see what you do at the table here, but they don’t see everything else that goes on behind the scenes and the policies, negotiations, public relations, the phone calls, text messages and emails you receive. Thank you for all you do. It’s greatly appreciated.”

Band

Frazee Band Director Brian Selander and members of the band reported on the group’s trip to Chicago, which included a 3.5-hour bus breakdown, visits to Millennium Park, a river cruise, the Museum of Science and Industry and a stop at Medieval Times. Day two included trips to the Shedd Aquarium, a Chicago Cubs game, Navy Pier and the Willis Tower. The following day the band performed at Six Flags, before spending the rest of the day at the park. The last stop on the way home was Wisconsin Dells.

“We just really appreciate that you guys let us do these trips; it’s a wonderful learning experience,” said Selander.

Construction

Board approval was given to accept projects awarded to Hammer’s Construction – Projects include football field press box roof repair, overhead door seals in the shop, bathroom wall repair and entry door canopy repair. Total $6,514.

Drivers Ed

A contract was approved for A+ Driving School to provide online course for the Frazee-Vergas Drivers Education program at a cost of $25 per student for the 2026-2027 School Year.

Enrollment

The district received the enrollment option applications for out of the district to: Homeschool (2), Detroit Lakes (9), Bertha-Hewitt (1) and into the District: Perham (4) and Detroit Lakes (1).

High School Principal Jason Smith reported on the high school numbers of 371 students to start the year, down from 397 at the end of last school year.

Earlier this summer, Smith explained that he had adjusted the reporting of attendance numbers this year.

“Looking at the active student enrollment numbers from this year to last we are plus eight—so we are still ahead on the enrollment,” he said. “Those numbers will be more real and consistent going ahead.”

Elementary enrollment numbers to start the year are 436, including 36 PreK students. End of 2026 school year numbers were 409 and 39 Prek students for a total of 448, according to Principal Travis Nagel’s report.

Hornet Pride

Monetary Donations:

• Paul Hendrickson: In Memory of Charles Flach/Jim and Dolores Smith – Donation to Cross Country: $150

• Fair Hills: Donation to Hornet Kids – $100

In-Kind Donations:

• Essentia Health Frazee Care Center: donation of school supplies

• Harvest Fellowship Church: donation of school supplies

• Breakfast Rotary: donation of school supplies

• Will Johnson Family: donation of school supplies

• Monarch: Donation of Student of the Month prizes and Back to School staff treats

• DL Chamber of Commerce: Donation of back to school teacher bags

• Mama’s Pizzeria N Scoops: donation of back to school staff treats

• Frazee-Vergas PTO: donation of back to school staff treats

• Bachmann Auction Group: donation of back to school staff treats

• Four Corners Lions Club: Elementary School snacks

• Frazee Family Foods: Hornet Kids donation of hotdogs and buns

• Sting Nutrition: Hornet Kids donation of kids’ teas

Meals

Board approval was given to the child and adult care food program contract for vended meals with Mahube OTWA Head Start for the 2026-2027 School Year

PSEO

The board approved a contract for Postsecondary Enrollment Options with Alexandria Technical and Community College at $256.22 per credit.

Pickleball

With the pickleball courts up and running, Karger briefly discussed upcoming decisions coming on the process of managing and monitoring usage.

“We’ll get going on that, but it is free and open to the public to start using,” he said.

Some landscaping still needs to be completed at the courts.

Board member Tammie Nunn brought up the need for a portable restroom closer to the courts, which is being addressed by the facilities and pickleball committees.

Staffing

Hires:

• High School Science Instructor Evan Anderson

• C-Team Volleyball Coach for the 2026-2027 School Year Lynn Tappe

• Paraeducator Tatiana Chase

• Paraeducator Laurie Schmidt

• Part-Time Food Service Worker Daniel Wegner

• Weight Room Supervisors Jason Reierson, Molly Fairbanks, Markay Larson, Dave Conzemius, Lynn Tappe, Brady Crabtree and Aaron Paulson

• Student Council Advisor Madison Schell

• Long Term Substitute 7-12 Physical Education Teacher Clay Nagel

Resignations:

• Assistant Dance Coach Calla Nundahl, effective immediately

• .5 Robotics Advisor Aaron Boyer, effective 7/31/26

• Paraeducator Valerie Turnbull-Sanders, effective immediately

Tax Levy

Per statue, each year the school board is required to certify the levy limitations payable for the following year. Administration recommends approving the preliminary maximum levy limitation for 2026 payable 2027.

“Typically, we just ask for the maximum now and we can always change it in the future,“ said Board Chairman Nathan Matejka said