USC State golfer Emma Heggenh holds her USC Proud recognition certificate. Joining her in the photo were USC Board members, left to right, Diana Brooks, Chris Lutteke, Katie Hanson, Mike Schrader, Brittany Voigt, student representative Reyna Gallardo and Brad Heggen.

“It has been a busy place around here this summer,” United South Central superintendent Taylor Topinka told the USC School Board at their meeting on Tuesday night, July 16. “We are half way through the summer, less than six weeks away from new teacher orientation and seven weeks away from having students back in the building. And, the good news is we are fully staffed.”

Topinka also shared some of the not-so-fun issues the district has had to deal with.

“Last year, the State Legislature enacted ESST (earned safe and sick time). It took effect on Jan. 1 of this year and there have been no shortage of headaches figuring things out,” Topinka explained. “Now, the legislature has passed a ‘paid leave’ law which goes into effect in January of 2026. That will be another thing for us to learn about and understand.”

Topinka proceeded to update the board on the major projects taking place at the school this summer.

“Work in the main gym is set to begin this week and the prep work is underway for installing the new seats in the football stadium,” Topinka said. “Construction of the new playground should also begin soon.”

Secondary principal Jen Bye reported that summer school had concluded for 15 students in grades 5-8.

“They received instruction which will prepare them to continue learning with their peers in September,” Bye commented. “We will resume our USC Extended School Year next week. This is for our special education students.”

Elementary principal Jennifer Taylor reported that the back-to-school elementary master schedule is nearly complete.

“Our focus has now shifted to Workshop Week for new teachers and current staff,” Taylor added. “I want to take time to thank the custodial staff who so diligently prepares the building for the upcoming school year. It truly takes a village to make everything come together smoothly.”

Topinka, on behalf of the School Board, took time to honor State Golf participants Kadyn Neubauer and Emma Heggen, State Track participant Brant Blosser and USC trap coach Darin Magnuson with USC Proud recognition awards.

The board voted to keep board member per diem and other allowances at the same rate as last year. The per diem remains at $75 per meeting for both USC School Board members and for Southern Plains Board members. Board members will be paid $150 for an all-day meeting.

The chairman of the board will be paid $800 annually while the treasurer and the clerk will receive $300 each, annually.

In personnel news, the board approved the hiring of Beth Lempkie and Margaret McDonough as bus drivers at a rate of $104 per day.

The board also:

• Approved participation in the National School Breakfast and Lunch and Seamless Summer Option Program for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Approved milk and bread bids and breakfast, lunch and milk prices.

• Voted to designate the South Central News as the official newspaper of the district.

• Approved increasing the rate paid to Community Education paraprofessionals from $14.70 per hour to $16.70 per hour.

• Approved a revised academic calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. The revised calendar was needed due to a previous error in calculating days.

• Had the first reading of the USC Crisis Management Plan.