Letter from the Executive Director

Greetings in the new year and best wishes for a productive and progressive 2005.

Currently in its 29th year of service, South Central Service Cooperative continues to work for the benefit of its membership by providing options and partnerships for material purchases, health-safety, technology, insurance, continuing education, special education and student outreach opportunities.

2004 ended in a flurry of activity honoring Mankato Area Public Schools with a National Excellence Award for Improving Indoor Air Quality.

2005 started on a very positive note with South Central Service Cooperative receiving the FY05 School Finance Award and promises to be an exciting year as we continue adding new products and services to the extensive list of cooperative opportunities currently available.

Here are some of our newest resources:

Electronic Curriculum Resources, Centralized Data & Video Services, and Technology updates.
ASL “Silent Retreat” for High School students sponsored by SOCRATES.
“Water is Life” Art Contest—available to high school students through a SCSC partnership with the Freshwater Society.
Bethany Lutheran College hosts the SCSC Fine Arts Conference.
Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) formerly known as MAEF/Friends for MAEF is now operating under the SCSC umbrella. Statewide awards recognition plans are in progress along with leadership training and survey tools.
Service Cooperative fitness club reimbursement program to all benefit-eligible insurance members.
Cooperative Purchase Highlights: Contract pricing at Office Max retails stores; Midwest Wireless—10% discount on monthly service plans; Earl F. Anderson and SporTime offer discount pricing on maintenance, playground & athletic equipment.

We will continue to highlight the latest opportunities available at SCSC in our quarterly newsletter. SCSC places “Quality in Cooperation” as it continues “Working for You!”