BOE Monthly Meeting Summary

The Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 Board of Education met on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the SCI Center for its monthly board meeting.

These are not the official meeting minutes and do not include every detail from the meeting; instead, they are a summary to assist the Purple Panther community. Once the board approves them, the official minutes can be found on the LCUSD #12 Board of Education Minutes page on the website.

High School Scholastic Bowl: Isaiah Burdell, Patricia Cheng, Nick Cochran, Conner Favre, Evelyn Hale, Lahna Kruse, Liam White, Emma Wilson

Science Olympiad: Bill Crispens, Xindy Dong, Conner Favre, Cal Frerichs, Dean Gibbs, Alyvia Hester, Lahna Kruse, Jenna Longwell, Claire Reid, Savannah Roach, Ethan Rosado, Lily Sipes, Liam White, Emma Wilson, Gabe Wilson, Jake Wilson, Will Wujek, Kyleigh Zhang

Band/Choir Solo and Ensemble: Maria Adam, Lana Cress, Madelynn Dunham, Bella Dykema, Bodee Everett, Audie Hale, Quinton Harris, Gretchen Heigert, Aylvia Hester, Janet Mazza, A’Myah Moore, Claire Reid, Sammi Rieke, Savannah Roach, Ethan Rosado, Lily Sipes, Melody Ann Smith, Wesley White, Will Wujek, Cam Zumwalt, Kamden Parmenter

Band/Choir State Qualifiers: Bill Crispens, Gretchen Heigert, Sydney Weatherford, Will Wujek, Camron Zumwal

Litchfield High School:

Girls Soccer: 14-1-1 (4-0 SCC)

The team is on a roll. They have won 10 games in a row and have only allowed 4 goals on the season to this point. They have also scored 92 total goals so far. They have 7 regular season games left on their schedule, including 4 conference games. As a reminder, LHS is hosting a girls soccer sectional tournament on May 26th and 29th.

Softball: 3-15 (0-4 SCC)

The girls have played better as of late. They have held their last 3 opponents to under 4 runs, and have battled to keep games close. They have a total of 13 regular season games left, including 5 conference games.

Baseball: 10-7 (3-1 SCC)

The boys have won 3 games in a row, and have scored a combined total of 23 runs in those games. They are 4-4 in the month of April. They have a total of 17 regular season games left, including 5 conference games. As a reminder, LHS is hosting a baseball regional on May 27th and 30th.

Track and Field:

For the outdoor season, the boys team has won 1 meet and has had several 2nd place finishes, while the girls team has had 2 wins and several 2nd place finishes. Each team will compete in 7 more regular season meets, with sectionals beginning May 13th.

Top individual performers for the boys have been Alec Roach in the 100 and 200 meter dash, and Jonathan Bowles in the 110 meter and 300 meter hurdles. The 4 x 100 and 4x 200 teams have done well also.

On the girls side, Maggie Schwab has performed very well in the 1600 and 3200 meter run, Ava White has done well in the 110 and 300 meter hurdles, and Lana Cress has performed well in the 100, 200 and 400 meter runs. The 4 x 100, 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 meter relay teams have also performed extremely well.

The annual fresh/soph SCC meet will be held April 23rd @ Carlinville, while the SCC varsity meet will be held May 5th in Gillespie.

Litchfield Middle School:

LMS Track is off to a strong start. The LMS track team kicked off their season April 7th at Jerseyville in a 13 team invite. Both the 7th and 8th grade girls teams placed 2nd while the 7th grade boys team placed 3rd and the 8th grade team 4th.

Last Saturday they competed in the South Central Invite at Carlinville. The 7th and 8th grade girls along with the 7th grade boys placed first. The 8th grade boys finished 2nd by only 2.5 points.

New Record: 7th grader Clark Cress broke the 200 meter dash record previously held by Jaxon Ray. The previous record set in 2024 was 25.37. Clark set the new record with a time of 24.84. Congratulations Clark!

LECC:

We will have a good balance of learning and fun as we wrap up the year.

• Final round of assessments are going to be completed. Students who work on their assessment with good effort AND are also showing appropriate classroom and recess behavior will be treated to some time in a bounce house courtesy of our local PTO.
• Students are also earning their way to the FFA petting zoo this Friday with appropriate classroom and recess behavior.
• Open house for all INCOMING Kindergarten students for Fall of 2026 will be held on Tuesday May 12 from 6-7.
• Kindergarten registration for children NOT already attending our Pre K is underway. Children that are 5 years old on or before September 1st of this year are eligible to attend. Parents can contact Mrs. Jones at (217)324-2851 or email: cbishop@litchfieldpanthers.org
• Pre K Screenings are soon. Children that are 3 or 4 years old on or before September 1st of this year are eligible to be screened. Contact Mrs. Bishop at (217)324-2851 or cbishop@litchfieldpanthers.org to sign up for a registration time.
• Pre K becomes very busy with end of year celebration with parents for our kiddos. Please tune in to teacher newsletters and notes in bookbags and in the ROOMS app for all the latest dates and times.

LES:

Spring is in the air at Litchfield Elementary School, and learning is taking on a whole new look!

LMS:

• The middle school recently completed the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). Students approached testing with focus and effort, and overall feedback has been positive, with many students expressing confidence in their performance.
• Nearly all students earned an IAR early out incentive by arriving on time, taking the test seriously, and consistently meeting testing expectations.
• Most 8th grade students have also completed the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). We are currently finishing make-up testing to ensure full participation.
• We are now preparing for the final round of i-Ready diagnostic testing and look forward to reviewing student growth and achievement results.
• Last Wednesday and Thursday, we hosted our annual “Show Me the Way” transition days. Current 5th grade students visited the middle school, toured the building, and spent time in classrooms to get a preview of middle school life. The visits were a success, and we are excited to welcome this group next year.
• Additionally, 25 middle school students attended the Rochester STEM Fair on April 8. Five students represented our school by presenting their Cereal Box Electric Guitar projects, showcasing creativity and application of STEM concepts.

LHS:

It has been an incredibly high-energy season at the high school! Here is a look at the "good work" happening across our hallways:

• Anatomy & Physiology students gained an unparalleled perspective on biology through a recent Cadaver Lab experience.

• Environmental Science students took a deep dive into local infrastructure with a tour of the Sewage Treatment Plant to study water cycles and sustainability.

• Physics Day is happening this week for our students at Six Flags to see the laws of motion in action on a grand scale.

• Our entire Junior class attended the LLCC County Career Day exploring a wide range of careers and vocational paths.

• Seniors just finished up Senior Seminar presentations centered on their individual future plans, showcasing their readiness for the next chapter. Thank you to the LHS English staff for another great group of presentations!

• LHS students successfully navigated the ACT and Pre-ACT test which is a crucial step in the college admissions process.

• LHS & LMS recently hosted the "Who Are You Listening To?" assembly, focusing on mindful influences and mental well-being to pair with our social emotional learning.

• We had another successful Blood Drive. Thank you Mrs. Brummet and the Student Council.

• Inducted our new members to the National Honor Society and celebrated our senior members and their post high school plans. Thank you Mrs. Carter and the senior members for organizing.

• The Spring Musical was a resounding success, highlighting the incredible talent and dedication of our performing arts students. Shout out to all involved including our actors, sponsors, pit crew, make-up & costume coordinators, and backstage crew. Chicago: teen edition, was great!

• The finish line is in sight! Senior caps and gowns are being organized as we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2026 on Sunday, May 17 at 3:00pm.
• Shout out to our three amazing Administrative Assistants, Kayla, Brittany, and Tara. They are the engine that keeps this school running. Whether they are navigating logistics, supporting staff, or greeting students with a smile, their dedication is the glue that holds our daily operations together. We truly couldn't do what we do without them!

State Funding and What It Means for Our District

Recent updates on the state’s proposed FY27 education budget reflect a continued tight fiscal environment. While there is a required increase to the Evidence-Based Funding formula, many districts, including ours, are still not fully funded.

This image shows the gap between state reimbursement and actual costs for required services. Costs the district must cover locally.

A major concern continues to be mandated categorical funding. These are services we are required to provide—like transportation and special education—but the state does not fully reimburse the cost. Locally, we see this impact clearly, as we are only reimbursed for a portion of these expenses and must cover the rest with local funds.

Over time, that gap adds up and directly impacts how we are able to allocate resources. Dollars that could otherwise support classrooms, staffing, and student opportunities are instead used to cover these required services.

At the state level, proposed increases would only maintain current reimbursement levels, not improve them, meaning this challenge will continue.

As we move forward with our budget, this is one of the key reasons we are planning conservatively and continuing to be thoughtful about how we allocate our resources.

Welcome to Our Team
The district welcomed Nick McKorkle last week as the new Director of Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation. He has been spending time across the district alongside Mr. Witter before he retires, to learn our systems and get to know our staff and facilities.

We are excited to have Nick join our team and look forward to the work ahead. As you see him around the district, please help us welcome him to Purple Panther Nation.

Board Member Recognition
The district is proud to recognize Board members Julie Abel and Ron Anglin for being honored through the IASB Board Leader Recognition Program. This recognition reflects their ongoing commitment to learning, leadership, and service to our schools and community.

MAKE IT PROGRAM

MAKE IT ended March with 27 students registered. They have ONE OPENING! In March they talked about when Spring truly arrives. They drew pictures and wrote in their journals and enjoyed being outdoors when they could.

Summer registration has also started and they are hoping for 50 students this year. They have thirty-three registered. If you are interested, please reach out to Mrs. Walker at the contact information below.

The Summer Theme will be "Diggin' It". They will be studying paleontology, geology, gardening, different types of soil, dinosaurs, and more.

They will be SERVING FREE MEALS (BREAKFAST AND LUNCH) THIS SUMMER FROM MAY 27TH THROUGH JULY 31ST. THEY ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Any child from the age of 1 year through the age of 18 is eligible for free meals. Meals will be served at LECC.

If you are interested in enrolling your student in MAKE-IT, please contact Kelley Walker at kwalker@litchfieldpanthers.org.

New District Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581114507291

If you have not, please like our new page. Our old group has been archived.

Strategic Planning Update

Dr. McClain shared that Litchfield CUSD #12 has officially completed its strategic planning process, marking an important step forward for the district and the Purple Panther community. Over the course of several months, staff, students, families, and community members came together to provide input, share perspectives, and help shape the future direction of the district.

As a result of that collaborative work, the district has finalized its new mission and vision statements. The mission reflects a commitment to serving students, staff, and the community through meaningful education, shared pride, and daily inspiration, while empowering every learner to become a successful, independent, and contributing member of society. The vision outlines a future where every student is acknowledged, inspired, and challenged, preparing graduates with the knowledge, character, and work ethic to positively impact their community.

The district’s core values and goal areas remain consistent, continuing to focus on integrity, innovation, opportunity, community and service, respect, and excellence, along with priorities in climate and culture, facilities, family and community connections, governance and operations, and teaching and learning.

Dr. McClain noted that while the process has concluded, the work is not finished. The district is currently reviewing feedback from the final strategic planning session and will make any necessary refinements before sharing the finalized plan. In addition, the district plans to create a community-friendly brochure and outline clear action steps tied to each goal area to ensure transparency and accountability moving forward.

Bills Payable for April 2026 Total $277,578.32

From the Education fund: $166,219.76: of this total $13,671.92 is payable for SCI.

From Operations & Maintenance: $68,100.20.

From Transportation: $28,689.52.

From Capital Projects: $3,362.94.

From Tort: $11,205.90.

Treasurer’s Report -

Ending balance in all funds at March 31, 2026 is $17,810,717. Balance in operating funds is $15,063,280.

in Capital Projects is $1,336,949.

PRESS Plus Issue #121 – First Reading
The Board reviewed PRESS Issue 121 for first reading. These updates are primarily driven by recent legislation and ensure district policies remain current and aligned with best practices. One area of focus included Title I family engagement. Title I is a federal grant that supports student learning and additional services in our district. The updates do not add new requirements but ensure our plans accurately reflect how we engage families and align with updated guidance.

Cartwheel Health Services Agreement

The Board discussed an agreement with Cartwheel to expand mental health supports for students. This partnership provides access to licensed clinicians through a telehealth model, strengthening supports for students who need additional assistance and improving access for families. As this proposal was developed, the district’s current Emotional Support team was consulted to ensure this would be an addition that supports and strengthens the work already being done.

The agreement allows the district to begin at a relatively low cost, with grant funding offsetting the first year, and provides the opportunity to evaluate the impact moving forward. This work also connects directly to priorities that will be shared with the Board next month as part of the strategic planning process.

School Resource Officer Agreement with the City of Litchfield

The district is moving to a full-time School Resource Officer through our continued partnership with the City of Litchfield. We appreciate the collaboration and support from the City as we work together to strengthen safety for our students and staff.

As part of this agreement, the district will cover approximately half of the SRO’s time during the school year, with the City covering the remainder of the position. This approach allows us to sustain and expand this support despite uncertainty in federal funding and limited grant opportunities.

We will continue to work closely with the City to monitor the role and ensure it is meeting the needs of our schools and community.

LPT Mechanical Controls and HVAC Service Agreement
The Board considered a one-year agreement for building automation and controls support. The district will transition from using multiple providers to working with one provider who is already familiar with district systems. This change is expected to result in cost savings while maintaining the level of service needed across all buildings. The one-year term allows flexibility as the district evaluates long-term needs and supports a new Director of Buildings and Grounds.

Business Solutions SDS Training Agreement
The Board reviewed an agreement to provide additional support for the district’s finance system during an ongoing transition in the business office. The individual providing support is a retired business manager with strong knowledge of the system. Due to IMRF restrictions, previously retired support cannot be utilized in this role. This short-term agreement will help ensure continuity as the district moves through staffing changes and prepares for the upcoming budget cycle.

Hires:

1. Amanda Pomatto as the Accounts Payable Clerk/ Administrative Assistant beginning April 1, 2026.
2. Leanne Viehman as a secretary at the Litchfield Elementary School beginning May 4, 2026
3. Macey Moore as a substitute bus driver beginning April 22, 2026.
4. Bella Dykema as a student worker for the Make It Summer program.
5. Amy Newkirk as the high school choir accompanist for the 2026-2027 school year.
6. Mallory Beechler as Assistant Coach for the High School Volleyball program beginning the 2026-2027 school year.
7. Amanda Peebles as a Special Education teacher at the High School for a 1-year position during the 2026-2027 school year.
8. Brooke Hartsook as a Special Education teacher at the Litchfield Early Childhood Center beginning the 2026-2027 school year.
9. Ms. Chloe Hedrick as 3rd grade special education paraprofessional beginning the 2026-2027 school year.
10. Ms. Kelsey Bulla as K/1 paraprofessional at LECC beginning the 2026-2027 school year. .
11. Mrs. Dawn Hatcher as Life Skills paraprofessional at LES beginning the 2026-2027 school year.
12. Mrs. Elizabeth Leitschuh as a 1-year paraprofessional at LEC beginning the 2026-2027 school year.
13. Mr. Steven Asbury as a Life Skills paraprofessional at LHS.
14. Stacy Carter, Jonathon Yoch, Adam Taylor, Alexis Tharp, and James Bryant as Prom Sponsors for the 2025-2026 school year.

Transfers:

1. Trena White, Paraprofessional from Instructional Tutor to the Life Skills classroom at Litchfield Elementary School beginning the 2026-2027 school year.
2. Noelle Black, Paraprofessional from Career and Exploration Tutor to an Instructional Tutor at Litchfield Elementary School beginning the 2026-2027 school year.
3. Marcia Hartel, Paraprofessional from High School Spanish aide to Student Support Paraprofessional for the High School and Middle School beginning the 2026-2027 school year.
4. Rebecca Deal, Paraprofessional from 3rd Grade Special Education Aide to Prekindergarten Classroom Aide beginning the 2026-2027 school year.

Retirements:

1. Melani Treece, Paraprofessional at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
2. Lisa Evans, Elementary teacher at the end of the 2030-2031 school year.
3. Claire Perfetti, Elementary teacher at the end of the 2030-2031 school year.

Contracts Approved:

1. Superintendent contract for Dr. Kelly McClain.
2. Mrs. Jennifer Thompson- Director of Curriculum & Instruction/ Special Education Liaison
3. Mrs. Hilary Wagenblast- Principal of Litchfield High School
4. Mr. Chad Carty- Principal of Litchfield Middle School
5. Ms. Paula Dal Canton- Principal of Litchfield Elementary School
6. Mr. Adam Favre- Principal of Litchfield Early Childhood Center

Resignations:

1. Ariel Ozee, Special Education teacher at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

FMLA: 1 request for FMLA was approved.

The district received a total of five FOIA requests between Board of Education meetings.

Two requests were submitted by the South Central Reporter. The first requested emails referencing Steve Lefko; no responsive records were identified. The second request related to student religious accommodations, including policies, practices, and communications regarding Ramadan observance and student prayer during the school day. In response, the district provided the following Board of Education policies:

6:70 – Teaching About Religions
6:255 – Assemblies and Ceremonies
7:70 – Attendance and Truancy
7:80 – Release Time for Religious Instruction/Observance
7:100 – Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students
7:130 – Student Rights and Responsibilities
7:160 – Student Appearance
7:260 – Exemption from Physical Education

No additional records were identified as responsive to that request.

An additional request was received from Sunlight Access for purchase orders from January 1, 2022 through February 28, 2026. A separate request from Starbridge FOIA Insight requested purchase orders from January 2025 to the current date. Both requests were fulfilled with the requested information.

The final request, submitted by Michael Henry, sought the names of law firms used by the district over the past eight years, along with total billings and engagement letters from the past three years. The district provided the requested information in response.