The USC School Board honored the Fine Arts Booster Club with a USC Proud Award. Pictured, left to right, are board members Brad Heggen, Chris Lutteke, Brittany Voigt, Boosters Club members Josh Edwards, Megan Edwards, Amy Chandler, board members Diana Brooks and Mike Schrader.

The United South Central School Board took time during their regular meeting on Jan. 20 to recognize the Fine Arts Booster Club with a USC Proud Award.

Specifically, superintendent Dr. Taylor Topinka mentioned Josh and Megan Edwards, Amy Chandler, Stacie Whiteside and Tammy Bullerman while praising them for the work they do in providing support to USC students.

The board also extended a special thank you to four teachers who are retiring at the end of the current school year.

The resignations of Anne Feist, Brad Huse, Pierre Stencel and Amy Stenzel were all approved at the meeting. Feist has 16 years of teaching experience, Huse and Stencel each have 27 years of experience and Stenzel has 26 years.

High school principal Jen Bye led off the administrative reports.

“Students have completed the first half of the school year and today was the first day of the second semester,” Bye said. “Since we had an early out yesterday, we started off the day today with sixth period final exams. This led to shortened class periods for the other class periods of the day.  We also had a chance to celebrate the USC students with our grade 9-12 Rebel Pride Celebration.  Positive behavior and participation in USC activities was recognized and celebrated.”

Bye shared that students Paige Lang and Alyssa Winkle attended the Dorian Music Festival at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, on Jan. 11-12.

“Prom planning is in full swing with May 2 scheduled as the date for the event,” Bye commented. “The junior class will participate in a 60-minute pizza fundraiser on Jan. 27 to raise the majority of funds for the event.  The competition-style fundraiser was a great success last year with the help of Tracy Frank from Club’s Choice Fundraising and Mrs. Seedorf, the prom advisor.”

Elementary principal Jennifer Taylor reported that both the elementary and high school students are in the process of completing their quarterly aReading and aMath assessments.

“These assessments provide reliable and valid data to inform instructional planning, guide interventions, and support student learning,” Taylor said. “On the MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments) front, our accommodated tests are in the queue and ready to be ordered this week. I met with the English Language Learner team on Friday, and we ordered all of the ACCESS materials, which came today.”

Topinka talked to the board members about what the upcoming spring legislative session might hold.

“With many political topics circulating and a very active current events cycle over the past several months, there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the upcoming legislative session,” Topinka said. “There are several key similarities across the collective legislative priorities of Minnesota school districts, including an emphasis on sustainable school funding, funding flexibility at the discretion of local school boards and school safety and security.”

Topinka reminded the board members that it is not a budget year for the legislature.

“The most recent state budget forecast predicts a $2.46 billion surplus in the 2026-27 biennium,” Topinka stated. “However, a $2.96 billion structural deficit is forecasted for the 2028-29 biennium. While the deficit is smaller than previous projections, it remains an important consideration as the legislature begins its work.”

Topinka also noted that work has already begun on the district’s fiscal year 2027 budget.

“We have started reviewing projected enrollment and forecasting section sizes for the upcoming school year,” Topinka remarked. “While it is still very early to have a clear picture of where class and section sizes will ultimately land, there are already a few elementary grade levels on our radar that we will continue to closely monitor. With no additional classroom space available in our building, identifying space to support smaller class sizes presents a challenge. We are considering a few possible scenarios should the need arise, though any facility-related adjustments would be difficult and complex.”

Topinka also mentioned that steady and positive progress was being made toward a potential facilities referendum in the fall of 2026.

“The task force is scheduled to conclude its work on Feb. 2 with near-final recommendations that will be ready to share with the community,” Topinka said. “The second community meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19 and will be held at the Golden Bubble.”

The board also:

• Reviewed the current FY26 general operating budget and approved the 2026-27 budget timeline and assumptions.

• Authorized the posting of the 2025-26 seniority list.

• Approved the amended 2026-27 academic calendar.

• Had the first readings of USC Board Policies 4010, 4020, 4025, 4030, 4040, 4050 and 4060.