Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield CUSD 12 for October 21, 2025

Litchfield CUSD 12 Meeting | October 21, 2025

The Litchfield Community Unit School District No. 12 Board of Education met on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, to review the annual audit, approve a new strategic planning process, and handle personnel matters. The board operated with four members present—Vice-President Ron Anglin, Secretary Valerie Cain, Mark Bloome, and Mandy Jewell—while President Julie Abel and members David Belusko and Jimmy Gorowski were absent.

The board approved a “clean” financial audit, initiated a contract for a five-year strategic plan, and solidified a partnership with Lincoln Land Community College for truck driver training. Administrators also presented their 90-day improvement plans, heavily emphasizing attendance and academic growth.

State Golfer Recognized:
The board recognized Litchfield High School senior Sam Schwab for qualifying for the state golf tournament. Coach Justin Ripley introduced Schwab, noting he is a four-time state qualifier with three top-25 finishes. Schwab placed 11th at the state tournament this year. “I don’t think Litchfield could ask for a better representative,” Ripley said.

Business Manager to Retire:
The board accepted a letter of intent to retire from Business Manager Della Witter. Her retirement will be effective March 31, 2026. The board voted 4-0 to accept the resignation.

EMT Classes Renewed:
The board approved a cooperative positions agreement with the City of Litchfield to continue offering Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) classes. These classes are taught through the South Central Illinois (SCI) program.

Surplus Property:
The board passed a resolution to dispose of or sell property no longer needed by the district. Items declared surplus included a 2012 Ford F150 truck described as having extensive rust, a 2008 Ford Fusion previously used for driver’s education, and 20 kits of Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) materials.

Coaching Hires and Changes:
The board approved several personnel moves in athletics:

  • Trevor Hogue transferred from Assistant Wrestling Coach to Volunteer Coach.

  • Art Fuller was hired as High School Assistant Wrestling Coach.

  • Kelsey Giannuzzi was hired as High School Assistant Volleyball Coach.

  • Mallory Beechler transferred to 8th Grade Volleyball Coach.

  • Megan Orozco was hired as 7th Grade Volleyball Coach.

  • Johnny Fenton was hired as Middle School Assistant Girls Track Coach.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

U.S. colleges report $5.2B in foreign funds for 2025

U.S. colleges report $5.2B in foreign funds for 2025

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square American colleges and universities have received $5.2 billion in foreign gifts and contracts in 2025, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. The...
U.S. farm bill drops, outlines 5-year funding

U.S. farm bill drops, outlines 5-year funding

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House Agriculture Committee dropped the text of the U.S. farm bill Friday, an 802-page package authorizing various nutrition, rural development and farm support...
Group: Raising minimum wage could cause drastic inflation

Group: Raising minimum wage could cause drastic inflation

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have proposed raising the state’s minimum wage to $27 per hour in 2032, but an...
Denver City Council members advance bill to ban ICE masks

Denver City Council members advance bill to ban ICE masks

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A Denver City Council committee has approved a proposal to ban law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from wearing masks. The proposal from Councilmembers...
U.S. Ed Dept. investigates Puyallup wrestler’s sexual assault allegation by trans athlete

U.S. Ed Dept. investigates Puyallup wrestler’s sexual assault allegation by trans athlete

By Brett DavisThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the Puyallup School District for how it handled an alleged sexual assault of a female wrestler late last...
FRESH program would provide one-time SNAP cash; critics question cost

FRESH program would provide one-time SNAP cash; critics question cost

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As new federal work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program take effect this month, Illinois...
Partial government shutdown imminent as Congress leaves town

Partial government shutdown imminent as Congress leaves town

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Lawmakers have left town after failing to pass the Homeland Security full-year funding bill, ensuring a partial shutdown of DHS beginning Saturday. This is the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Man sentenced for robbing postal worker

Illinois Quick Hits: Man sentenced for robbing postal worker

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal judge has sentenced a Chicago man to four years and three months in prison for...
Sultan in Epstein files resigns, global turmoil continues

Sultan in Epstein files resigns, global turmoil continues

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square An executive of a Dubai-based company resigned on Friday after documents released by the Justice Department tied him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sultan...
Temporary protected status terminated for Yemen nationals

Temporary protected status terminated for Yemen nationals

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Yemeni nationals in the U.S. on temporary protective status will have 60 days to leave the country. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced...
Advocates argue new data center restrictions might close Illinois market

Advocates argue new data center restrictions might close Illinois market

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have proposed stricter regulations on data centers in the state, but an industry advocate says...
Woman wants RFK Jr. to add COVID vaccine to injury table

Woman wants RFK Jr. to add COVID vaccine to injury table

By Jessica M. DeBois | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Florida woman who claims she was injured by the COVID vaccine sued U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary...
Illinois advocates urge senate action on SAVE Act

Illinois advocates urge senate action on SAVE Act

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois election-integrity advocates are pushing the U.S. Senate to agree with a recent House move and...
Ford returning to the Middle East as tensions rise with Iran

Ford returning to the Middle East as tensions rise with Iran

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A second aircraft carrier is en route to the Middle East as tensions build with Iran, according to multiple reports. The USS Gerald Ford, the...
Lemon faces federal arraignment today in St. Paul church protest case

Lemon faces federal arraignment today in St. Paul church protest case

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Journalist Don Lemon is scheduled to appear in a Minnesota courtroom today to be arraigned on federal charges related to a protest that disrupted a...