By Robert Williams

Editor

Information Technology Coordinator Gretchen Norby provided the annual State of Technology Address to the Frazee-Vergas School Board Tuesday, Oct. 13.

“This past year in technology and education specifically, the thing that we’ve really recognized is, and this is across the board, computer’s anti-malware has gotten so good that we’re seeing hackers or security breaches not happening at that level anymore. They’re targeting users. We’re making sure we have a system in place that we are testing our staff on that and making sure that we are aware of what is legit and what isn’t and making sure they feel more comfortable with that as the year goes on.”

Server & Infrastructure Project

“This was a big one for us,” said Norby. “We were transitioning from Server 2016, which had reached its end of life here. When we reach that end of life with Microsoft updates that becomes a security threat for us.”

The server and infrastructure project includes upgrades to Windows Server 2025, bringing much-needed updates and stronger security to the systems that support district operations. This work modernizes the district’s technology foundation and supports dependable services for staff and students.

Grant-Funded 

Communication 

& Security

Minnesota Cybersecurity grant funding of $52,000 supported the purchase of 40 indoor and outdoor cameras for building security. The grant also allowed the district to replace the high school’s 30-year-old intercom system, which had reached the end of its life. The new system updates both bells and announcements, supporting clear, dependable building-wide communication. Funding also covered replacement of some speakers at the elementary school.

“We’ve noticed a big difference; overall sound quality is better and the bell system is working really slick,” said Norby.

Norby called the camera acquisition “huge” as the elementary school now has cameras where they did not and old cameras have been upgraded.

“Having that in place gives us that extra piece of security as we are able to track people coming in and out of our buildings and obviously, making sure we’re keeping kids safe.”

The district will receive $21,000 from a second round of funding later this year.

Technology Teams 

and Al Planning

Met with the existing high school and elementary technology teams to discuss artificial intelligence and District Policy 625 and develop an Al Acceptable Use Plan for the district. 

“That’s a big piece this year,” Norby said. 

These discussions bring classroom perspectives into guidelines for responsible Al use by staff and students. The plan will be presented to the school board at a later date.

Teacher Technology

Purchased new teacher machines to give staff updated tools for classroom instruction, lesson planning. communication, and daily work. This investment supports reliable access to the digital resources teachers use throughout the school day and helps keep staff technology current.

Looking Ahead

The second round of cybersecurity grant funding will support additional building security purchases Technology teams will continue their work on District Policy 625 and the district’s Al Acceptable Use Plan.

CACR

Superintendent Terry Karger presented the results of the annual Comprehensive Achievement & Civic Readiness (CACR) report for the school district.

The CACR emphasizes five goals supporting student achievement as well as preparing them to be active members of their communities after graduation.

All Students 

Ready for School

Goal: By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, at least 80 percent of transitioning preschool students will meet or exceed developmental benchmarks in the Social-Emotional, Physical, Language, Cognitive, Literacy, and Mathematics domains, as measured by the Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment. (Students will also gain Literacy and Phonemic awareness by participating in the Heggerty Pre-Kindergarten Literacy curriculum.)

Goal Met: 92 percent of transitioning preschool students met or exceeded developmental benchmarks, surpassing the established goal.

Closing the 

Achievement Gap

Goal 1: By the conclusion of the 2025–2026 academic year, a minimum of 80 percent of third-grade students will attain scores at or above the 30th percentile on our local reading assessment, thereby demonstrating performance at or above grade-level.

Goal Met: 93 percent of third graders were performing at grade level, at or above the 30th percentile, by the end of third grade.

The percentage of students meeting expectations exceeded the following established goals.

• By the conclusion of the 2025–2026 academic year, a minimum of 80 percent of students enrolled in Intermediate Algebra will achieve semester grades of 70 percent or higher, demonstrating proficiency in state standards and essential learner outcomes.

• By the conclusion of the 2025–2026 academic year, a minimum of 80 percent of students enrolled in English I will achieve semester grades of 70 percent or higher, demonstrating proficiency in state standards and essential learner outcomes.

• By the conclusion of the 2025–2026 academic year, a minimum of 80 percent of students enrolled in Biology will achieve semester grades of 70 percent or higher, demonstrating proficiency in in state standards and essential learner outcomes.

• By the conclusion of the 2025–2026 academic year, 90 percent of Frazee High School students will complete at least one assessment in the Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS). This process will be facilitated by the Work-Based Learning Lead and/or the High School Counselor, with progress measured through documented completion records in MCIS.

• By the conclusion of the 2025–2026 academic year, the Frazee-Vergas School District will attain a graduation rate of 88 percent.

Staffing goals exceeded were: 

• Multiple staff members participated in a variety of professional development opportunities, including the COMPASS Summer Institute, LETRS Phases 1 and 2, literacy-focused training, and a library of PD4ME courses.

• Staff completed AI and Cybersecurity training throughout the school year.

Enrollment

The district received the enrollment option applications for out of the district to: Lake Park-Audubon (1), Detroit Lakes (3) and into the District: Perham (1).

Elementary: 400 students: K 54, 1st 37, 2nd 65, 3rd 55, 4th 65, 5th 64, 6th 60.

High School: 365 students: 7th 66, 8th 57, 9th 66, 10th 64, 11th 56, 12th 56.

Field Trips

School Counselor Marty Thorp and High School Teacher Roger Thorp brought 47 students to MSUM in early October for MSUM’s Become a Teacher Day. Students learned about what it takes to become a teacher, had a full campus tour and meal at the dining hall.

Some of the students were featured on a WDAY news broadcast.

“Some of the students said it was the most fun they’d ever had; it was just a great career exploration day even if it’s not something they were necessarily interested in,” Marty Thorp said.

The program was fully-funded and did not cost the district any money.

Thorp also reported on the annual fifth grade day at the family’s century farm and the ninth grade and Careers 1 and Careers II class trip to the Detroit Lakes career fair.

Hornet Pride

Monetary Donations:

• $250 Paul & Terri Nelson to Weight Room Student Activity Account

• Bell Bank donated $45 for Custom Cards

• Vergas United Methodist Church $154 to School Supply Drive

• Brian Bigger $200 to FFA

• Brian Bigger $1,000 to Outdoor Facility Project

• BTD $10,000 to Outdoor Facility Project

Online classes

Marty Thorp and High School Principal Jason Smith traveled to Sebeka to discuss online class options as the schools are of similar size and Sebeka has taken a more phased approach to online offerings.

Sebeka is supporting 30 full-time, local kids through their online program.

“It showed us another way to do it and led to a lot more questions,” said Smith. “If we’re looking to keep ourselves relevant as a district with the way the world is going we’re going to have to incorporate this in some shape or fashion.”

Pickleball 

Courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis until further notice.

Staffing

The district received a letter of intent to retire from Superintendent Terry Karger effective June 30, 2027, coinciding with the conclusion of his current employment contract.

The School Board approved the following hires:

Paraeducators Linda Kuehn, Peyton Mettler and C-Team Girls Basketball Coach Laura Peterson. 

Resignations: Part-Time Food Service Worker Daniel Wegner, effective immediately, Hornet Kids (LatchKey) Supervisor Lacey Kiehl, effective October 9, JH Girls Basketball Coach Laura Peterson, effective immediately, JH Boys Basketball Coach Cassidy Pender, effective immediately, C-Team Softball Coach Aaron Paulson, effective immediately, JH Dance Coach Calla Nundahl, effective immediately, Co-Concessions Coordinator Trescha Mitchell, effective upon hiring and transition of a full-time Concessions Stand Coordinator.

Student Council

First-year seventh grade Life Science and 10th grade Biology Teacher Madison Schell is the new Student Council advisor.