By Robert Williams

Editor

Four of five Frazee-Vergas School Board candidates, all Hornet alumni, attended the League of Women Voters’ Candidate Forum at the Event Center Monday evening, Oct. 5. Stephen John Ulschmid elected not to participate, according to moderator Cindy Bruflodt, in the race for four seats.

The candidates in attendance were: Kayla Bellefeuille-Simon, Theresa (Ta) Fett, Becca Gray, and Nathan Matejka.

Matejka, Class of 1992, is the lone candidate running for reelection. Matejka is completing his eighth year on the board and is the current chairman.

Matejka holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from NDSU and a minor in business administration. He was the former Fire Chief and has been a member for the past 23 years. He was a founding member of Frazee Amvets. 

“I feel like I have experience working with the school, administration staff members, families, and I’m familiar with a lot of the challenges our district is facing,” he said. “I’m committed to the city with all the organizations I’ve been a member of and I’m especially eager to see the school district succeed.”

Bellefeuille-Simon, a 2001 graduate, holds a bachelors and masters degree in social work. 

“I’m deeply rooted in this community; I have four children who are either currently enrolled or just graduated,” she said. 

Professionally, she has worked in higher education, non-profits, government, and currently the criminal justice system. Bellefeuille-Simon is also a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

She was also a founding member that re-established the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) in Frazee.

“I have a long-standing commitment for strengthening collaboration between families, educators and the school board,” she said.

Fett, Class of 1981, is a well-known teacher, coach and counselor who retired from the district last year after 31 years. Fett’s introduction included her desire to invest in the school, especially the children.

“I really care about kids; I have a passion for helping kids; I want to see kids succeed. I want to see families succeed and I want to see this school succeed,” said Fett. “This district really needs a school system. It’s one of the biggest employers of this district. It really is the foundation of our community. It’s important to really invest in our schools.”

Fett rounded out her intro by stating she understands the perspective as a teacher, counselor, coach, parent, and a community member.

“But most importantly, as an advocate for kids,” she said. 

Gray, a 2014 alum, has deep roots in Frazee, as both her parents and grandparents also are alumni. 

“I have a passion for education,” she said.

Gray earned a bachelor’s degree in education with a concentration in business and taught at the high school level. She also coached dance with Fett for five years and was a substitute in the district, and others in the area.

She is currently a 12-year member and full-time employee of the Air National Guard in Fargo while pursuing her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in accounting.

“I have four kids in the district; I just want to make sure they have the same, great education experience I did,” she said. 

The candidates discussed artificial intelligence (AI) and what steps the district should take to manage AI, cell phones and social media.

Fett spoke about asking teachers for their input on how they use technology in their classrooms. Fett cited literary references and reasons supporting a ban on cell phones in schools.

Gray believes learning how to use technology appropriately is important with clear guidelines to stifle abuses like plagiarism and noted multiple programs to do that currently available to colleges that could be used in the high school.

She was less strict on cell phones, stating teachers can use them as learning tools with discretion and that there are always exceptions.

“When I taught in the school program I did use phones for certain aspects of my teaching,” she said.

Matejka confirmed there is no AI policy currently in the school, but discussions on the topic are being held stating the current board and admin have a draft policy completed and being reviewed in committee.

“It’s new technology; it’s there and it’s going to stay,” he said. 

The school does have a cell phone policy in place that Matejka called a, “work in progress.”

Bellefeuille-Simon believes banning phones (with exceptions) at the high school is, “one of the best things that could ever happen.”

She cited her government job, utilizing AI, and how the technology policies there are in constant change.

“I think it’s going to be a work in progress for years to come,” she said.

Other topics discussed were safety and inclusion with candidates agreeing on how policies need to be evaluated and updated regularly.

Bellefeuille-Simon expressed her desire for more transparency and open communication with the public, citing feedback expressed at other districts.

The school board does allow public comment as long as speakers are officially put on the next meeting agenda through the administrative office.

Fett drew on her experience expressing the importance of mental health and how all students need to feel like they belong at the school. 

A big topic brought up by the crowd was for each candidate to express how they will help facilitate the hiring of a new Superintendent, when Terry Karger retires at the end of the school year. Another was to cite something the district does well and another thing the district can improve upon. 

Prior to closing statements, each candidate also spoke on online classes and the competition to retain students and gain more in the district.

The full 40-minute session is available on the CornerStone Facebook page and will be up via the LOWV website in a couple days.

The Frazee-Vergas schools board consists of seven members serving four-year terms. Each term begins on the first Monday in January following the election.