Hello United South Central Families,
Here we are, already at the start of April and the final stretch of the school year! MCA testing will soon be in full swing, and before we know it, we’ll be wrapping up the last few weeks of classes. As the excitement of summer builds, let’s keep encouraging our students to stay focused and finish strong. Their hard work now will pay off as we close out another great year!
Spring Testing – Entering the final months of the school year, students will participate in several state-mandated assessments, including the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (Grades 3-8 and 9-11) and the ACT (11th Grade). These tests provide valuable insights that help us better support our students and their learning needs. Our main focus is not on a single score, but on growth—seeing each student make progress from year to year. Please encourage your student(s) to give their best effort and help reinforce healthy habits like getting enough sleep and eating a good breakfast as we move through the testing season.
Staffing - As we wind down the school year, we take an in-depth look at our staffing for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. At this point, we have a few retirements that we are looking to hire replacements for. At this point we are not looking at any new positions for next year, and with no classroom spaces remaining in our building, it is increasingly more difficult for us to add new courses or instructors. We certainly are grateful for the great staff we have at USC, and hope that we can work to keep them here. On a side note, we are looking to fill a custodial maintenance position, and if you know of anyone with a potential interest in this, please send them our way.
Budget Update - We are currently wrapping up our budget for the current school year and building our plans for the upcoming financial year, which begins on July 1. With strong enrollment and a local operating referendum in place, our district’s finances remain in a solid position. We continue to maintain a portion of our annual budget in reserve, ensuring we are prepared for a ‘rainy day.’ Like all schools, we are heavily impacted by state funding. Right now, there is significant uncertainty in the State of Minnesota’s long-term budget forecast, as well as at the federal level. For USC, this means we need to stay mindful of what the future holds and ensure we maintain a manageable financial position over the next several years. While we have no immediate concerns regarding the health of our budget, we do want to be intentional as we plan ahead. The coming years may bring financial challenges for education as a whole, and we want to be proactive in our approach.
Facilities Task Force - This year marks 11 years in our school building, and with growing enrollment each year, we are reaching the limits of our available space. To address this, a facilities task force made up of representatives from our six USC communities has been exploring solutions, from utilizing community spaces to potential expansion. After multiple meetings and a deep dive into our facility needs, the group has reviewed six possible plans and will present their recommendation to the school board on April 15th at 5:30 PM in Bricelyn. As a community-driven district, we want this discussion to be shaped by the voices of our entire USC community.
Education Foundation "Rebel Bash" Event – Our students are incredibly fortunate to have the support of the USC Education Foundation, which helps fund innovative and unique learning experiences each year. Their annual fundraiser, Rebel Bash, is set for Saturday, April 12th, at the Golden Bubble, featuring an exciting Dueling Pianos performance. This event is always a fun-filled evening that directly benefits our students and school. We hope to see you there!
Stay Connected - Follow USC on Facebook, Instagram, and X to stay up to date on all the exciting things happening at school. Be sure to download the USC app from the Apple Store or Google Play for easy access to important updates. Plus, don’t miss the USC update on KBEW Radio at 10:10 AM every other Friday and our monthly updates in the Faribault County Register!
Upcoming Events and Activities at USC -
April 15, School Board Meeting (in Bricelyn) - 5:30 PM
April 18 & 21, Easter Break
May 30, Commencement and Last day of School
Thank you for your help and support as we wrap up the school year. Go Rebels!
Taylor Topinka
USC Superintendent