Litchfield board places Spanish teacher Mark Mavencamp on unrequested leave

The Litchfield Public School District School Board adopted a resolution June 23 placing continuing contract teacher Mark Mavencamp on a 1.0 full-time unrequested leave of absence effective at the end of the 2024–2025 school year on June 30, 2025. The resolution cites "financial limitations and discontinuance of programs and positions; namely, a Spanish teacher position" as the grounds and was adopted by a majority roll-call vote (Provencher, Danielson, Oster, Mathews and Anderson voted in favor; none opposed).

The resolution and attached notice reference Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.40 (subdivisions 7 and 10) and state that placement is without pay or fringe benefits and is subject to any subsequent Memorandum of Understanding or an arbitrator's decision in the teacher's pending grievance. The board minutes note ongoing negotiations toward an MOU and that the teacher previously requested a hearing; the written notice provided to Mr. Mavencamp reads in part, "You are hereby notified that at the regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 465 held on June 23, 2025, consideration was given to your placement on unrequested leave of absence..."

Board Member Tim Oster introduced the resolution; the minutes record the motion was seconded and carried. The minutes do not list any public testimony during the item. The resolution instructs the district to forward a copy of the notice and resolution to the teacher and file an affidavit in the teacher's personnel file. The transcript text indicates the parties may still finalize terms in an MOU or proceed to arbitration if no agreement is reached.