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USC School Board learns enrollment stays same

Board learns that strategic road map will be ready Dec. 17

By Kevin Mertens - Staff Writer | Oct 20, 2024

“As we make it to MEA break week, we are now past mid-quarter and well into the 2024-2025 school year,” United South Central superintendent Taylor Topinka told the USC School Board at their meeting on Oct. 15. “We are officially 31 days into the quarter and we have just 13 days remaining in the first quarter. I am thankful to our extraordinary students, staff, parents and community for making the first quarter of the year successful.”

Topinka continued by providing an update on the current student enrollment.

“Currently, we are serving a total of 727 students in grades K-12,” he commented. “This is exactly the same number of students from October of 2023 and up from 708 students in October of 2022.

Topinka informed the board that the State of Minnesota is in the process of enacting some major changes affecting labor across the state.

“While these changes are not specific to education, they do affect us and our practice as an employer,” Topinka said. “Earned Safe and Sick Time (ESST) has had several modifications as it has rolled out over the past year, and raises many questions with how this correlates to our employee master agreements. Also, the Minnesota paid leave program begins in 2026 and we are in the process of identifying how this will affect our current procedures.”

Topinka reminded the board members that the district is anticipating a substantial technology purchase in 2025 as the school year wraps up.

“Our current fleet of 1:1 student devices is quickly approaching the end of their expected life-span,” he noted. “We have set aside funds for replacement over the past 4-5 years and we do not think we will need to utilize many general funds for the purchase.”

Topinka concluded his report by saying the district is beginning the final stage of its strategic planning.

“We hope to finalize our strategic roadmap on Dec. 17,” he said.

High school principal Jen Bye reported that the USC Parent-Teacher Conferences were held on Oct. 14.

“They were very well attended by parents and students,” Bye commented. “It was great to see the productive conversations that were held throughout the evening.”

Bye also touched on some of the activities outside of the classroom that students have been involved in.

“On Oct. 3, students participated in a regional Tour of Manufacturing. Some students will also be participating in a local Tour of Manufacturing on Oct. 16 with Mr. Sahr and Pam Krill. It is great to offer these opportunities to students,” Bye said. “The Lion Heart experience was held on Oct. 9, in the USC gym for grades 5-12. The students truly enjoyed the presentation by Joe Vercellino and his crew. They shared a message of self worth and identity connected with music and art.”

Elementary principal Jennifer Taylor updated the board on the activities of the younger USC students.

“The elementary fundraiser through Club’s Choice, led by Traci Frank, is underway,” Taylor informed the board. “The money raised will go towards field trips and roller skating. Field trips provide valuable learning experiences beyond the classroom and roller skating is a fun way for our students to stay active and develop essential physical skills.”

Taylor shared there are now two Knowledge Bowl teams in the elementary grades.

“Thanks to Ellen Gordon Kamm and Karissa Jewison, we now have fifth and sixth grade Knowledge Bowl teams,” Taylor said. “Last week, they competed in their first competition and placed sixth and 15th out of 25 teams. Practices are held in the mornings. We are thrilled about this exciting opportunity led by these dynamic teachers.”

According to Taylor, students in grade two got to see a live demonstration of what happens at the fire station during a fire call.

“It was fire safety week and students in grades K-3 made trips to the Wells Fire Station,” Taylor comments. “A call for a fire was received when the second graders were there so they got to see the process up close.”

In other business:

• A new student representative to the School Board will be announced and sworn in at the next meeting.

• The board will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 to canvass the results of the General Election.

• Board members approved district procurement procedures.

• The board approved a list of fundraisers for the 2024-2025 school year.

• The board members approved changes to USC Board Policy 4040 so that the district will now cover the total cost of background checks for new employees. This policy, with the changes, will be brought back for approval at the next USC School Board meeting.