USC superintendent Taylor Topinka, center, received the Patriot Award certificate during the USC School Board meeting last Tuesday. He was nominated for the award by teacher Pierre Stencel, pictured at right. Paul Ragatz, of the Employer Support of Guard and Reserve group, pictured at left, presented the award to Topinka for his support of employees in the guard and reserves.

The United South Central School Board looked at a lot of numbers on Tuesday night, Dec. 17, as they had both an audit report from the previous year, and a Truth in Taxation Hearing for next year’s budget and levy.

During the Truth in Taxation Hearing the board went over a presentation of the proposed budget and tax levy. After that, during the regular part of the meeting, they approved the levy at $3,953,305, up just $2,652 from the previous year, or an increase in the levy of .07 percent.

Just about half of the levy will go towards funding the general fund (48.16 percent) and almost half (49.50 percent) will go towards debt service.

As for the 2024-2025 budget, it shows revenue of $15,467,922, with expenditures at $16,205,635.

The board also saw that local taxes (the tax levy) accounts for 15.8 percent of the budget’s revenue, while state aid accounts for 77 percent.

There were no questions or comments from any members of the public.

During the audit report given by Layne Kockleman of Abdo, the board learned it was a good report. Most of the fund balances had shown an increase in the previous year.

“This was good news, to have growing fund balances,” Kockleman said. “Many districts are not seeing that and have decreasing fund balances.”

The board also heard reports from all of their administrative staff.

Superintendent Taylor Topinka reported on a plan to change the look of the agenda, and to change the meeting structure, which would include holding some board meetings outside of Wells.

“We also want to review the school policies at least every three years,” he said. “We have 135 district policies so we will put them on a schedule.”

High School principal Jen Bye reported that credit recovery is returning to USC starting in January.

“Credit recovery offers a way for students to recover credits needed for graduation to USC students who are behind on accumulating credits,” Bye said. “It will be held after school on Mondays and Tuesdays.”

She also thanked the seventh grade parents and USC staff for doing an amazing job for the Audie Olson Benefit on Dec. 2.

“The outpouring of support for the family was truly wonderful,” Bye said. “The proceeds will help Audie and her family as she fights leukemia.

Bye also updated the board on enrollment numbers, with 66 in seventh grade, 59 in eighth grade, 60 in ninth, 54 in 10th, 51 in 11th and 48 in 12th for a total of 338, down one from last month.

Elementary principal Jennifer Taylor reported on students being able to attend the Little Mermaid musical at the Ordway as a high note for the month.

She also reported that they will have state Senator Gene Dorninck at USC to be the Principal for a Day on Jan. 9.

“We were fortunate to have our state legislators come and visit us for a day,” Taylor said. “Last year Rep. Peggy Bennett was here. I think USC has a very good reputation.”

The elementary numbers were listed by Taylor and they were 60 in kindergarten, 57 in first grade, 57 in second grade, 53 in third grade, 58 in fourth grade, 44 in fifth grade and 56 in sixth grade for a total of 385, up three from last month.

Activities director Joe Kuechenmeister gave a recap of the fall sports seasons as well as a very successful fall musical.

“The Wizard of Oz had a large audience all three nights,” Kuechenmeister said. “And it took in $1,821 more than last year’s fall musical.”

His update on winter sports included that wrestling has 27 kids out, up two from last year, and 18 are from USC.

Boys basketball had 45 out last year and there are 50 out this year and girls basketball has increased from 29 students to 32.

“We also have a new sideline cheer team this year and we already have 12 cheerleaders on it,” Kuechenmeister reported.

Other activities are Knowledge Bowl with 32 participants, Mock Trial with 16, Robotics has 13 and the new Speech Team has 27 students interested at this time.

He also said the One Act Play has been chosen and there are seven students out for it.

Kuechenmeister also reported on the new online ticketing for school sports and the Huddle Sports streaming service and said they are going pretty well.

In other business at the meeting, the board:

• Learned that superintendent Topinka had been awarded the Patriot Award for his help in allowing active veterans and reserve soldiers take the time they need to be gone to serve their country.

He was nominated by Pierre Stencel, a fourth grade teacher at USC who is in the Minnesota National Guard.

• Scheduled an organizational meeting for Jan.7 to take care of first of the year business. The regular meeting will still be held two weeks later.

• Passed a resolution to create a facilities task force, and one to combine polling places and another one to have administration make any recommendations for reductions in staff or programs. None are planned at this time.

• Approved the designation of a 2012 Bluebird school bus as surplus so it can be traded in on two new school buses the district has on order.

• Approved personnel changes including the resignations of Matt Carson (fleet maintenance) and Diane Dulas (cook’s helper); contracts with Diane Dulas (paraprofessional), Andam Gondreau (fleet maintenance), Cody Huiras (add sixth period) and Estefana Miller (paraprofessional); Justin Martin (medical leave).