United South Central School District revises bond referendum plans after community survey

WELLS, Minn. (KEYC) - United South-Central School district received a 20% response rate to its district wide survey in Wells, Bricelyn, Easton, Kiester, Walters and Freeborn, about whether or not to hold a bonding referendum to support future expansion.

After the April 27 deadline, the district received 549 responses with 82% of respondents being non-staff members and 35% having children who attend school at USC.

88% of staff, 67% of parents and 43% of unaffiliated community members who responded voiced support for a referendum, making up more than half of respondents.

Superintendent of USC Taylor Topinka says despite those numbers, many had concerns about the district’s initial bonding estimate ranging from $25 to $32 million.

This has caused the school board to reduce the scope of its proposal to eight to 10 new classrooms, a new physical education activity space and indoor recess room, and several other projects with bonding now set at around $23 million.

Topinka says these new facilities would help to support a student body expected to grow from 745 students to 800 over the next five years.

“We want to be able to have the space to continue to do what we do at a higher level and continue to do what we do into the future,” Topinka said.

Now that the school has feedback showing support for a referendum, the board will vote on Tuesday, May 19, on whether to send its plans for a referendum to the Minnesota Department of Education for approval.

If it is approved, it would be up to the school board to then have a final vote on approving the referendum midsummer.

Some community members have voiced concerns that the school district is jumping to a referendum too early, when it may have other resources it can use.

Others expressed concerns about rising costs of living.

For those in support of the project like Judy Melcher from Wells, whose 36-year-old son went to school there, it’s a way to support a growing future generation.

“Everything is so expensive these days, but I think it would be kinda nice to remodel the cafeteria or something,” Melcher said.

John Herman, a Wells City Council member whose grandkids go to the district, thinks that with rising costs of living adding expenses for cities, school districts and other organizations, an investment like this could still be worth it, if it is spent wisely.

“We do need to grow the school a little bit. It’s good that they need the space, that they’re having increased enrollment, a lot of towns aren’t having that problem,” Herman said.

If a referendum is approved, community members will have an opportunity to vote on the $23 million bonding proposal as part of the 2026 election in November.

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