USC superintendent Taylor Topinka tells the board that new legislative mandates have necessitated the updating of a total of 21 different school policies. He also informed the board that it is time to update the district’s five-year strategic plan.

The longest discussion at the United South Central School Board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 15, was on what might be described as a positive problem.

Elementary principal Jennifer Taylor reported there were currently 57 students enrolled in the sixth grade.

“However, that number could grow to as high as 66,” Taylor added. “My concern comes from if it would grow even higher.”

The growth could be coming because of St. Casimir’s School’s possible decision to not offer sixth grade this year.

“This is what we want – to see growth,” board member Katie Hanson said. “We have to be sure we can handle it.”

Taylor explained the administration has plans in place to deal with the situation.

The increase in student enrollment led to another discussion, which was on long-range plans for USC and the possible need for more space for the school.

“We need to update our five-year strategic plan anyway,” superintendent Taylor Topinka shared. “Our plan expired in 2022 and the district is required to have one in place. Facility planning will be a part of that plan.”

During his report, Topinka said the task of sifting through all of the legislative changes is still ongoing.

“The two most important changes we are still working on are the Read Act, which is a centralized literary push to make sure that every school is doing the same thing,” he explained. “The other item is the non-actionary discipline push.”

The board also had the second reading of 10 board policy changes and the first reading of 11 board policy changes.

“All of those changes in the policies are tied to actions taken by the legislature,” Topinka commented.

High school principal Jen Bye reported the Back to School workshop for staff members has been planned for Aug. 28-31.

“New teachers will be in the building for orientation on Aug. 23 and 24,” Bye said. “We are excited to welcome four new certified staff to the high school and one new para educator.”

Bye shared the open house for high school students will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“The total enrollment in the high school is 365 students which is up two from last month’s number,” Bye concluded.

Elementary principal Taylor reported the open house for elementary students will be held on Sept. 5.

“I believe this is the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ – next to Christmas,” Taylor offered. “We have been interviewing for an open para position and I am happy to report we will be fully staffed for the start of the school year.”

Taylor also extended a special thanks to the custodial staff for all of the work they did cleaning the building during the summer months.

Activities director Joe Kuechenmeister showed a short video produced by the Minnesota State High School League which promoted three goals. The first is to provide safe, respectful and inclusive environments. The second is to recruit and retain coaches, officials and school administrators. The third and final goal is to maintain the focus on educational-based activities and sports.

Kuechenmeister told the board that participation in fall sports is up across the board at the high school.

“We have eight girls and eight boys out for the USC/Alden-Conger cross country team and 38 girls out for volleyball. The number for volleyball is for 9-12 graders plus a few eighth graders,” Kuechenmeister said. “There are 41 boys from grades 9-12 out for football, including seven from Genesis Classical Academy. Finally, there are 20 girls from grades 7-12 who are out for tennis.”

Kuechenmeister had some other news for the board.

“There has been a renewed interest in having sideline cheerleaders for football which is something we haven’t had for awhile,” he noted. “We have 11 girls interested and are moving forward with plans to make it happen.”

Kuechenmeister announced that USC’s homecoming football game will take place on Oct. 6, against Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton.

“The coronation will take place the Sunday prior to the football game, just like last year,” he added.

The board also:

• Discussed decreasing the number of virtual learning days and increasing the number of snow days. They will revisit the matter at their next meeting.

• Accepted the resignations of health care specialist Joan Christian, transportation director Brennan Magnuson and paraprofessional Jamie McCord.