Litchfield School Board Meeting

The Litchfield School Board heard a presentation last night about the German American Partnership Program (GAPP). Students from Germany are in Litchfield right now for a 3-week exchange experience and will be leaving on October 25th.

German language instructor Carrie Larson says during the odd years, they find homes for about 20 German students who visit Litchfield in October, and then in the following even years, they send Litchfield students to Germany for a 3-week trip in June and the program builds life-long friendships. Larson says spring break is also an option for the Litchfield students to travel to Germany if they’re not comfortable with spending 3-weeks away from home.

German chaperone Christina Schneider told the Board that she’s been traveling to Litchfield in the GAPP program since 2007 with students ranging in age from 14-to-17 and the tears flow when it’s time to leave. She says they stop in New York City for a few days each year before returning to Germany and the students always ask if they can stay longer in Litchfield and skip New York. Larson told the Board that the cost for each Litchfield student to travel to Germany in June is between $3,000 and $4,000 and the Board gave her permission to begin fundraising for the June trip.

Also last night, the Litchfield School Board approved of a motion authorizing the administration to work with a consultant to develop a plan to address future facility and funding needs.