The students at the School of St. Philip in Litchfield have had a busy winter, and the flurry of activities is continuing this spring. The school had a visit from the Hempker Zoo on February 27th.
5th grader Maci says they also had guest readers in February including Mayor Ron Dingmann, the Litchfield Watercade royalty, School Resource Officer Nelson, Children’s Librarian Jennifer Barnes and Minnesota Senator Andrew Lang. She says they have their spring showcase open house on March 20th from 6-to-7 p.m. and everyone’s welcome.
Maci says the students are learning about some saints during the Lenten season who extended help to people who were suffering. She says they will have a special mass to honor our area farmers on April 4th at 8:30 a.m.
5th grader Zacharias says there are fish fries coming up in the local churches including St. Philip’s in Litchfield on March 21st, St. John’s in Darwin on April 4th and St. Anthony’s in Watkins on April 11th. He says Kindergarten round up at St. Philip’s School will be held on April 3rd.
Zacharias says the 2nd annual rummage sale will be held at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield on April 4th and 5th – starting at 8 a.m. each day. Principal Andrea Dietrich says items for the rummage sale may be dropped off at the church the week before the sale.
Mrs. Dietrich says the students are also selling garbage bags. She says you may place your order through March 21st at either the school or church office or from your favorite St. Philip’s student.
The Litchfield School Board has approved of a resolution to discontinue and reduce certain educational programs and positions. Resolutions were also approved last night relating to the nonrenewal of the teacher contract of a probationary teacher; and proposing an unrequested leave-of-absence.
Last month, Business Manager Jesse Johnson suggested that a specific number of cuts be made to the next budget amounting to $514,399. No specific programs or positions were mentioned publicly during last night’s meeting; however, the staff and programs affected have now been notified and the list includes:
Program reductions: Total: $80,012
LEAPS Summer Program at Lake Ripley
Summer School at LMS
Summer School/Night School at LHS
Band Overloads at LMS
Overtime – reduction of total numbers approved for the year
Staff Development – reduction of outside speakers and more efficiency in approvals
Summer Hours for Staff reduced by 20%
Personnel reductions: Total: $256,287
2 Lunchroom Supervisors at Lake Ripley
1 Paraprofessional at Lake Ripley
1 Classroom Teacher at Lake Ripley
1 Student Success Coordinator at LMS
.6 Reduction in Foreign Language at both LMS and LHS
1 Student Success Assistant at the LHS
2 Assistant FCCLA Advisors
1 Assistant VB Coach
3 Summer Custodians (Student Workers)
Additional Anticipated Cost savings for the 2025-26 SY: Total: $178,100
FACS Retirement and replacement
Summer hours for Construction House
Marching Band Transportation
Reducing Curriculum Purchases
Also last night, the Litchfield School Board approved of authorizing the administration to seek bids for a sun room project at Lake Ripley Elementary School. The sun room would help students with unique needs.
The Meeker County Extension Master Gardeners and Horticulture Society Gardener’s Gala is on Thursday, March 27th from 5-to-8:30 p.m. at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield. If you register by March 14th, the cost is $10, otherwise it’s $20 at the door.
Master Gardener Connie Johnson says there will be two speakers during the event – Laura Irish-Hanson, who will speak about climate-ready gardening; and LeAnne Lund, who will have tips for cut flower growing. She says Lund sells cut flowers from her farm, south of Grove City, all over the nation; and Irish-Hanson is a University of Minnesota Extension Horticulturist who has an office at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and will have tips for growing flexibility to adapt to our changing climate.
Johnson says there will also be a quilt silent auction during this year’s Gardener’s Gala. She says if you have ideas for future topics, let them know. For more information, call the Extension office at 693-5275.