New United South Central Schools superintendent Taylor Topinka was busy giving high fives to all the returning students during the first days of school at USC several weeks ago. Topinka reported to the USC School Board at their meeting last Monday that he was impressed with the smooth start to the year.

It is that time of year again when county and city governments, along with School Boards, have to pass their proposed levy for the next fiscal year.

At the United South Central School Board meeting on Sept. 19, the board approved a preliminary proposed levy increase of 4.2 percent. The levy for 2023-2024 was $3,791,503 while the proposal for 2024-2025 is $3,950,652.

The board will vote on the final levy on Dec. 19, when they hold their Truth In Taxation meeting.

Enrollment numbers remain steady at USC, according to principals Jennifer Taylor and Jen Bye.

“There are 383 students in grades K-6,” elementary principal Taylor reported. “The sixth grade class is the largest with 65 students.”

Taylor reported the elementary students had gotten off to a great start this school year.

“The open house on the first day of school was an excellent opportunity to meet the students and parents and get everything situated for the year.”

Taylor also expressed her appreciation for the USC tech staff of Tyler Hintz, Kaylee Newman and Brandon Johnson.

“They are very dedicated and worked hard to solve the various tech issues we faced at the beginning of the school year,” Taylor concluded.

Bye told the School Board the number of students in grades 7-12 was 383, down one student from last month.

“It’s hard to believe students are already beginning their third week of classes,” Bye added. “I want to thank the Wells Chamber of Commerce for hosting the Back to School Picnic on Sept. 8. It is a great way to bring our communities together to celebrate the start of the school year.”

Bye noted that ag teacher Dan Dylla’s students will be hosting Farm Safety Day on Sept. 27 and the Homecoming week will be Oct. 2-6.

During his report, superintendent Taylor Topinka said he was also impressed with the smooth start of the school year.

“It is also great to see the positive attitudes in the school,” Topinka remarked. “It is one of the reasons I wanted to come to this school district.”

Topinka shared that five students have applied for the two open positions of student representative on the School Board.

“We hope to interview the five students and make a decision before our October board meeting,” Topinka commented.

Michelle Gottberg, one of the coaches for the USC trap shooting team, informed the board there are 34 students out for the fall league.

“I invite the board members to check out the trap shooting team sometime,” Gottberg said. “We are at the gun club on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.”

During the business meeting the board voted to set the number of virtual learning days at three for the school year.

“We can always alter that number if we need to,” board member Chris Lutteke reminded the board.

The board also took action to transition the school’s life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance coverage to Mutual of Omaha.

“This option has lower rates for our district, an increase in coverage to $150,000, and enables open enrollment for all employees,” Topinka explained. “Several employees have not had the open enrollment window open for quite some time.”

A motion also passed to designate a 2009 24-passenger bus as surplus for the purpose of trading it in.

“The bus would be traded in and the district would receive credit for future replacement part purchases,” Topinka said. “It was determined it was no longer cost effective to put money into the bus so it could meet safety standards.”

The School Board also approved a motion to put cameras in the school’s van fleet.

“We have had cameras in our buses and felt the vans should be equipped with cameras also,” Topinka said. “It is a good standard of practice for student behavior as well as a basic protection of drivers.”

The board also:

• Had the first reading of new USC Board Policy 4250 and revised policy 6030.

• Approved revised USC Board Policies 5060, 5070, 5090, 5130, 6020, 6040, 6130, 6160, 6180, 6200 and 8060.

• Approved a $200 stipend for paraprofessional mentors.

• Reviewed the 2023-2024 general operating budget.