Students in the Litchfield School District will be heading back to classes soon as school resumes right after Labor Day. This is the first year in Litchfield for new Superintendent Susan Burris.
Burris took over as Superintendent on July 1st. She grew up in Paynesville, spent 3 years at Moorhead State, then finished college in San Diego, California and taught first grade and Title-1 for several years. She returned to Minnesota – getting her educational leadership degree at St. Mary’s in St. Paul and her Superintendent degree from St. Cloud State University. She was a principal at Albany Elementary School and an assistant superintendent at Cambridge-Isanti.
Burris says she was most recently employed at the Regional Center of Excellence – a service cooperative in Sartell for 12 years. She says she is looking forward to bringing changes to Litchfield while respecting the past history of the District.
Burris says new staff training is taking place this week, then there will be staff workshops next week, and all of the back-to-school information was mailed to families, but can also be found on the Litchfield School District website. She says the construction of new tennis courts and the parking lot and entrance behind Litchfield High School is nearing completion.
The Litchfield City Council held a public hearing last night regarding the tax increment financing for the 60-unit, $11.9-million dollar Midtown Lofts housing complex at 415 South Ramsey Avenue. Jason Aarsvold from Ehlers spoke about the TIF, and the Council approved of a resolution for the TIF following the hearing.
The Council also approved of a resolution for the Midtown Lofts planned unit development; and approved of a variance request by Eric Janey for a shed at Sunrise Apartements at 802 East 2nd Street.
The Council discussed a request for a skate park to be located at North Park. Scott Rech spoke to the Council about efforts that have been made to raise funds. The Council encouraged Rech’s group to continue fundraising while the Council looks at similar parks in other communities.
The Council approved of changes to fire relief by-laws which would change how retirement dollars are invested. The Council approved of the Litchfield Area Recreation Center joint agreement with the School District – part of which explains how the school will be charged for its use of the facility. The Civic Arena license agreement was also approved.
The American Red Cross was in Litchfield last Thursday and collected 81-units of blood. 72-units of blood were collected on Monday in Dassel.
The goal in Dassel had been set at 64 units. 6 individuals received recognition for milestone donations: 1-gallon for Jose Larios of Cokato, 2 gallons for Amy Peikert Nordstrom of South Haven, 4 gallons for Tammy Larson of South Haven, 6 gallons for Janet Petro of Clear Lake, 8- gallons for Amy Thostenson of Dassel, and 11-gallons for Kevin Dahlman of Cokato.
