The United South Central School Board took action at their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15, to give superintendent Keith Fleming the authority to negotiate a contract with the city of Wells to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) to the district for the nine months of the year when school is in session.

“Our previous SRO, Ryan Murphey, resigned,” Fleming reminded the board. “I have talked to Wells Police chief Tim Brenegan and they are very interested in working with us. The plan would call for USC to fund 75 percent of the cost of the officer and for the city to fund the remaining 25 percent of the total cost.”

The board unanimously passed a motion authorizing Fleming to negotiate an agreement with the Wells Police Department.

The board also passed a resolution to canvass the returns of the recent School Board election.

Brittany Voigt with 1,888 votes, Katie Hanson with 1,726 votes and Diana Brooks with 1,573 votes were all elected to four-year terms beginning the first Monday in January, 2023.

Fleming told the board because of some schedule conflicts with some of the newly-elected board members, the timeline of the superintendent search may have to be modified and he presented board members with the two options being considered.

“The next step, no matter which option we choose, is to have our consultant present us with candidate profiles on Dec. 20,” Fleming explained. “Both options have the goal of a contract for a new superintendent being approved on Feb. 21, of next year.”

High school principal Jen Bye reported enrollment in grades 7-12 was currently 328 students, which was down one student from the previous month.

“Nov. 9 marked the end of the first quarter and parent-teacher conferences are set for Nov. 17,” she said. “I would also like to share USC had seven members of our local FFA attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis earlier this fall.”

Elementary principal Jennifer Taylor shared the K-6 enrollment numbers with the board.

“We have 377 students as of today which is two less than last month,” Taylor commented. “The annual Veterans Day program was held on Nov. 11 and the elementary children did a wonderful job. There were wonderful speeches and great musical selections. It was a very nice program to honor our veterans.”

Taylor also noted the elementary fundraiser event was very successful and the students were also treated to a visit by the KAAL Weather Lab when the meteorologists from the television station came to the school and shared many neat and interesting demonstrations with the students.

In personnel matters, the board voted to accept the resignations of cook’s helper Shanaya Luecht, School Resource Officer Ryan Murphey, paraprofessional Michelle Wegner and transportation director Chris Whiteside.

The board approved extra service agreements for Kristin Dylla, Taylor Overbo and Katie Stenzel to coach the varsity girls basketball team.

Also approved were extra service agreements with Ryan McCue to be an assistant girls basketball coach and Todd Schmidtke to coach middle school boys basketball.

The board also:

• Set Dec. 20, at 5:30 p.m. for a special meeting to review and approve the auditor’s report, which will be followed by the Truth in Taxation meeting.

• Approved a resolution to apply for membership in the Minnesota State High School League Foundation.

• Heard that Zale Bushlack had won the State Trap Shooting Fall League Championship by hitting 273 out of 275 possible targets.