Litchfield School Board Meeting

The Litchfield School Board heard a presentation last night regarding the Alternative Learning Program. Litchfield High School Principal Jason Michels says the program has transformed and evolved over the years and he praised Coordinator Terri Orzolek for her 8 years at the ALP.

Litchfield High School Assistant Principal/Activities Director Justin Brown says he oversees the process of identifying students who are struggling for various reasons and might need to be in the Alternative Learning Program. He says there’s an application process and he’s the one who gets to tell the students whether or not they will be admitted to the ALP.

Litchfield High School Counselor Laura Nelson says she counsels the ALP students and they have weekly check-ins. She says the students sometimes work on special projects such as a garden plot – which helps to grow food that can be used in the schools – and it gives them a chance to be outside and work together.

Orzolek says they use the Seat Based Program in which every .25 credit means 1800-minutes of class time. She says there are students who are two years behind and are able to finish their required class work in one year, and are able to graduate from high school. Orzolek went over the typical class schedule for each day and told about other special projects that the ALP students work on such as making tied blankets that are donated to the County, and collecting 1,000 pounds of plastic bags to be recycled – and the grants they’ve received to do these projects. She says she has high expectations of the ALP students and they really step up to the plate.

Also last night, Student Council representatives Allie Kargas and Addie Zens spoke about how the seniors are going to visit Lake Ripley Elementary School on May 22nd in their caps and gowns. Superintendent Susan Burris spoke about attending Scholarship night on May 7th as $103,000 in scholarships were awarded. As part of the Consent Agenda, the Litchfield School Board accepted the resignation for retirement purposes of long-time part-time Litchfield High School custodian Greg Larson.