Emergency Funds Authorized for Middle School/High School Water Heater Replacement

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026

Article Summary: The Board of Education authorized the use of Health Life Safety funds to replace a failed water heater at the Litchfield Middle School/High School complex. The breakdown of the 24-year-old unit required an emergency resolution to ensure continued hot water service, particularly for the kitchen.

Infrastructure Key Points:

• Equipment Failure: One of two large water heaters servicing the complex failed; the remaining unit is currently handling the entire load.

• Funding Source: The board approved the use of approximately $20,000 in Health Life Safety funds for the replacement.

• Efficiency Upgrade: The new unit is expected to be more efficient, potentially reducing the need to run a second unit continuously.

LITCHFIELD – Facing a critical equipment failure, the Litchfield Community Unit School District No. 12 Board of Education on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, voted to approve an emergency resolution allowing the use of Health Life Safety funds for repairs.

The resolution addresses the replacement of a commercial water heater at the Middle School/High School complex. Superintendent Dr. Kelly McClain explained that the complex relies on two large units, both approximately 24 years old, to provide hot water, specifically for food preparation in the kitchen.

“One of those went out,” Dr. McClain said. “Right now, that one [the remaining unit] is doing the work of both of them.”

The estimated cost for the replacement is just over $20,000. By using Health Life Safety funds, the district can address the issue immediately.

Board member Mark Bloome asked about the status of the second 24-year-old unit. Dr. McClain indicated that with the installation of a new, higher-efficiency water heater—and the recent boiler system upgrades—the district may be able to rely primarily on the new unit, keeping the older functioning unit as a backup rather than running it constantly.