Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 Board for April 21, 2026

Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 Board Meeting | April 21, 2026

The Litchfield Board of Education met on Tuesday to advance several operational contracts, celebrate student achievements, and review annual technology metrics. The board approved a vital Memorandum of Understanding with the city to secure a full-time School Resource Officer for the upcoming school year. The board also authorized a new telehealth mental health support contract with Cartwheel Health Services and received a detailed technology report showcasing the benefits of recent fiber optic upgrades and AI monitoring systems. In her report, Superintendent Dr. Kelly McClain celebrated the completion of the district’s strategic planning process while warning the board of potential state funding shortfalls regarding mandated categorical reimbursements.

State Funding and Pre-K Grant: Superintendent Dr. Kelly McClain warned the board that while the state is proposing a minimum $350 million increase in Evidence-Based Funding (EBF), mandated categorical funding for essentials like transportation and special education is expected to decline. However, McClain shared positive news regarding the Pre-K program; the district received a sudden $70,000 hardship grant that must be spent by the end of the year. Successfully allocating these funds could result in a recurring $100,000 annual increase for the Pre-K program.

HVAC Maintenance Contract: The board approved a one-year, $34,560 contract with LPT Mechanical, LLC for service and maintenance of the district’s HVAC systems. The contract secures the labor and building automation support of Luther Timson at an hourly rate of $180.00. Structuring the agreement for one year allows the new Director of Buildings and Grounds, Nick McCoral, time to evaluate the district’s long-term mechanical needs.

Financial Software Training: A motion was approved authorizing an agreement with Business Solutions to provide SDS system training at a rate of $75.00 per hour. The consultant, a retired business manager from Pana, will assist district staff in navigating the financial software system following the recent retirement of Business Manager Della Witter.

Insurance Pool Appointments: The board formally appointed Superintendent Dr. Kelly McClain as the voting member, and Business Manager Casey Logsdon as the alternate, to the Mississippi Valley Property Casualty Board. The appointments finalize the district’s integration into the new insurance pool approved last month.

Policy Revisions Advanced: The board approved the first reading of policy revisions from Press Plus Issue #121. Revisions include updates to personnel leave provisions, Title I family engagement procedures, and adjustments to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) protocols that alleviate the requirement for the district to search spam folders for requests.

FOIA Requests Mount: Superintendent McClain reported five recent Freedom of Information Act requests. Requests were submitted by the South Central Reporter (regarding religious accommodations and staff emails), Sunlight Access (purchase orders), Starbridge (purchase orders), and Michael Henry Foya (seeking eight years of law firm usage and three years of legal billing data). The district successfully responded to all requests.