2007 – 2008

Dear Members of the Litchfield Community,

Welcome to the Litchfield Public School district and the 2007-08 school year. 

The Litchfield Public School District currently enrolls nearly 1,300 students in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.  This number represents approximately 16% of the town’s population.  Center School serves students from pre-kindergarten through grade three.  Students in grades four through six are enrolled at the Litchfield Intermediate School, while students in grades seven through twelve are enrolled at Litchfield Middle/High School.

The Litchfield Board of Education’s annual operating budget for the public schools for the 2007-08 fiscal year is $15,450,000   The budget was approved at the Annual Town Budget Meeting held on May 9, 2007.  This budget represents a modest 3.46% increase over the 2006-07 budget.       

The Litchfield Public School District has a history of solid student performance and is proud of its student accomplishments in academic areas as well as in the fine and performing arts, community participation, interscholastic activities, and athletics.  Students in the district consistently perform well in all standardized testing.  

The Litchfield Schools have an outstanding staff of talented and dedicated educators and support personnel.  For 2007-08, Mr. Christopher J. Stupak was selected as the district’s Teacher of the Year.  He is a teacher at Litchfield Intermediate School.

This year brings a variety of educational improvements to the Litchfield Schools.  Students will benefit from a full day kindergarten, a much improved inquiry based elementary science program, increased music, art, physical education, and enrichment activities at the elementary and intermediate levels, and a new academic organization which provides for interdisciplinary reinforcement of subject area skills with increased instructional time.  The middle school program has been refined to focus on essential skills and to provide students with a broad exposure to hands-on learning experiences in both non-academic and academic areas.  High school students will have a refined schedule with exciting learning opportunities to promote the attainment of proficiency in academic subjects and to provide a diverse secondary school experience to prepare them for college and careers.   Additionally, students at the elementary, intermediate, and middle schools will be experiencing new state-of-the-art math programs to enable students to achieve at the highest levels and to meet the rigorous requirements of state frameworks and No Child Left Behind legislation.

The renovation and expansion of the Litchfield Intermediate School and Litchfield High Schools is progressing nicely.  Significant progress has been made on the project through the summer. As with any project of this magnitude, there are areas where construction is ahead of schedule and areas that have been slightly delayed.  In general, the project is on schedule and within budget. The projected completion date for all renovations and expansions is the middle of the 2007-08 school year.

Litchfield High School students are benefiting from new and renovated classrooms, labs, library, cafeteria, and other areas. The new gymnasium foyer, guidance and administrative offices are complete.  The gymnasium is essentially complete and provides a wonderful venue for physical education and athletic activities. The athletic facilities include new bleachers, locker rooms, training rooms, fitness center, ceilings, lighting, refinished floor, and an extended foyer.

New sidewalks, driveways, and access roads throughout the campus are very attractive.  Options for additional parking capacity are currently being explored and students are encouraged to avoid driving to school if possible since parking is limited due to ongoing construction.  Parking permits will be limited.

The Litchfield Intermediate School has been renovated and expanded. We welcome the fourth grade back to LIS this year after being located at center School temporarily for two years. LIS facilities include a new library/media center, computer lab, cafeteria, music room, health room, meeting rooms, and main office as well as renovated classrooms and common areas.  LIS students will also enjoy new age appropriate playground equipment  adjacent to the school and Plumb Hill Playing Fields.

Center School has a new roof over the gymnasium and cafeteria. The annex roof will be replaced during the school year.  The playscape has been enhanced with a new rubber subsurface for improved safety. All floors have had the old carpet replaced with carpet squares which are environmentally friendly and easily cleaned.  Lavatories have been renovated and a substantial amount of painting and restoration work has been completed both inside and outside the school. The rear steps and sidewalks have been replaced to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors.

The district’s Facilities Director (Tony Crowe) and custodial staff have been working diligently to keep the schools clean and safe throughout the construction process.  One of the major initiatives the district is committed to is the proper cleaning and maintenance of all schools.  We are pleased to report that, despite the ongoing construction, the areas of the schools inhabited by students and staff are being closely monitored to ensure as clean an environment as possible. The final phase of construction activities is being conducted in accordance with stringent environmental standards to ensure the proper removal of materials, and cleanliness of the buildings.  The school district is working closely with the town’s Department of Public Works, which handles the major maintenance projects related to school buildings and grounds.

We welcome inquiries and interest in the Litchfield Schools. Additional information regarding the Litchfield Public Schools may be obtained by accessing the district’s comprehensive internet web site or by contacting the schools or Superintendent’s office.

Sincerely,

 Dominick C. Vita, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools