Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026

Meeting Summary
The Litchfield Community Unit School District No. 12 Board of Education met on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to finalize the academic calendar for the upcoming school year and address infrastructure and policy updates. The board utilized a public hearing to approve a waiver allowing school attendance on five legal holidays, a move designed to facilitate an earlier end to the 2026-2027 school year.

In addition to calendar and personnel matters, the board managed routine business, including the approval of monthly bills and updates to board policy. Administrators provided reports on student testing and strategic planning initiatives before the board adjourned into a closed session to discuss personnel and closed meeting minutes.

News Briefs

Strategic Planning Update:
Superintendent Dr. Kelly McClain reported a strong turnout for the district’s first strategic planning meeting, with over 60 stakeholders in attendance. Participants worked on identifying district strengths and areas for growth. The committee is scheduled to meet again on Thursday to finalize the “Portrait of a Graduate.”

Financial Report:
The board approved the monthly bills payable for January 2026, which totaled $273,669.19. This includes $159,274.58 from the Education fund and $56,544.95 from Operations and Maintenance. The Treasurer’s Report showed an ending balance in all funds of $19,139,735 as of December 31, 2025.

Facebook Page Transition:
The district is transitioning to a new official Facebook page. Dr. McClain announced that the old Facebook group will be archived and deactivated starting February 2, 2026. Families and community members are urged to follow the new page for all future district announcements and weather-related updates.

Policy Updates Approved:
The board approved the second reading and adoption of revisions to board policy, administrative procedures, and exhibits from PRESS Issue #120. These updates cover various areas including school safety, personnel requirements, and student behavior to ensure the district remains legally compliant.

Administrator Reports:
Administrators reported that “I-Ready” diagnostic testing is nearing completion across the district. Additionally, Pre-K Director Adam Favre shared a lighthearted update regarding a PTO fundraiser, revealing he received two pies in the face last Friday as a reward for student efforts.

Boiler Maintenance:
In a separate maintenance item, the district approved a payment for boiler work at Litchfield Middle School. Dr. McClain noted that contractors added necessary glycol to the system to fix a heating issue in a specific room. This maintenance cost approximately $5,000, significantly less than the $20,000 originally estimated to install a full glycol system during the initial boiler project.