On February 19, United South Central Public Schools held its second Community Engagement Meeting at
the Golden Bubble Event Center as part of the district’s ongoing facilities planning process. Thank you to
the approximately 120 community members who attended and actively participated in this important
conversation about the future of USC.
The level of engagement throughout the evening reflected the community’s commitment to
understanding the information and participating in the planning process. Community members listened
intently to the information shared, asked thoughtful questions, and took time to carefully consider the
data presented. The group discussions at the end of the evening reflected our community’s shared
commitment to doing what is best for students.
The meeting began with a welcome and overview of the planning process, followed by a comprehensive
presentation of the district’s assessment findings. Since the October engagement session, the district
has completed several key studies to better understand current conditions and future needs, including a
demographic analysis, a facility condition assessment, and an educational adequacy study.
The demographic analysis provided clarity regarding recent enrollment growth and projections for the
coming years, helping explain the factors contributing to increased student numbers and what that
growth may look like in our near future. The facility condition assessment offered a detailed review of
building systems and infrastructure, identifying both immediate and long-term maintenance needs
within the existing facility. The educational adequacy study examined how well current learning spaces
support today’s instructional practices, programming expectations, as well as current and projected
enrollment.
Together, these assessments created a comprehensive picture of the district’s needs and helped frame
the conversation around potential project options for a potential November 3, 2026 election.
Preliminary financial information was also shared, including discussion of the Ag2School Credit and the
Minnesota Property Tax Credit programs. These programs were highlighted as a significant opportunity
to improve school facilities while helping reduce the overall financial impact to the community,
positioning it as important tax advantages should the district pursue a referendum.
It is important to note that no decisions have been made on a project option at this time in our planning
process. The purpose of our latest engagement meeting was to build shared understanding around the
assessment findings and continue gathering community input for both the USC School Board and
Community Task Force, before considering potential next steps.
Information shared at the meeting, including the presentation, will be available on the district’s website.
Next steps include reconvening the Community Task Force on March 2 to review feedback and continue
refining options toward a single community-supported plan. In April, the district will also gather
additional input from community members and district stakeholders through a mailed scientific survey.
This feedback will help finalize a plan that addresses district challenges and supports student learning
moving forward.Thank you again to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. The School Board and
administration remain committed to a transparent and collaborative process. Your engagement and
commitment to United South Central are deeply valued. The Rebel Pride evident throughout the
evening reflects the strength of this community, and we look forward to the work ahead as we plan for
USC’s future.
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