Fuchs Leaves, Spartans Make State & Baseball Lights Ignite Drama: Richfield Schools Year in Revew

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers.

As far as schools went, there was plenty that happened in the last year:

Richfield Lady Hoopsters Make Run at State; LeeAnn Resigns as Head Coach

For the first time in Richfield history, the girls basketball team made it to the state championship in March. In fact, they made it to the final game, which they lost in a close battle to DeLaSalle.

Then in a move that surprised much of the community, head coach LeeAnn Wise resigned as head coach in September.

All of our coverage:

• Richfield Girls Hoopsters Headed for State Tourney
• Richfield to Take On Red Wing in State Tournament Opener
• Wish Them Well: Richfield Makes its First Trip to State Wednesday
• REPLAY: Richfield Defeats Red Wing in Tournament Opener
• Poll: Can Richfield Defeat the Reigning State Champs?
• PHOTO GALLERY: Richfield's Run at State
• PHOTOS: Richfield Falls to DeLaSalle in State Title Game
• LeeAnn Wise: ‘The Future Looks Pretty Darn Good’

• LeeAnn Wise Resigns As Head Girls Basketball Coach
• LeeAnn Wise Says Resignation Was 'Right' For Basketball Program
• Richfield Makes Scott Stadem's Take-Over of Basketball Program Official

Joshua Fuchs Resigns as High School Principal, Jason Wenschlag Returns

After less than a year in his first principalship, Joshua Fuchs suddenly resigned as Richfield High School's lead administrator in May. However, former RHS assistant principal and Sheridan Hills principal, Jason Wenschlag returned to lead the high school.

All of our coverage:

• UPDATED: Joshua Fuchs Resigns As High School Principal
• Joshua Fuchs Releases Statement on Resignation
• Release: Superintendent Slotterback's Statement on Principal Fuchs' Resignation
• District Close to New High School Principal Decision
• Former Assistant Principal Returns to Lead Richfield High
• Principal Wenschlag: 'I Hope To Be Here For A Long Time'

School Board Makes Controversial Baseball Lights Decision

The Richfield School Board approved the use of funds to pay for installing baseball field lights, which ignited controversy among parents and other community members this past summer. A special session was even called to review the decision, however, the plans stood when all was said and done.

All of our coverage:

• UPDATED: Nollenberger Says School Board Chose Field Lights Over Funding Classrooms
• Community Members Upset Over District's Decision to Install Field Lights
• UPDATED: Richfield School Board Calls Special Session To Revisit Lights Decision
• Motion to Postpone Field Lights Project Fails
• POLL: Are You Considering Another School District For Your Child?
• Baseball Field Lights Permit Measure Moves to City Council
• It's Official: Richfield High's Baseball Field Is Getting Lights

Residents Vote in Favor of Referendum Measures

After a painful defeat in 2011, Richfield voters not only voted to renew the soon-to-expire referendum on Election Day, but also approved a small increase, which will result in an additional $16 in property taxes per year for the average homeowner.

All of our coverage:

• Richfield School Board Considers Referendum Renewal
• UPDATED: School Board Proposes Two Referendum Questions For 2012 Ballot
• A Rundown of the Proposed Richfield Referendum
• Richfield Referendum: A Message From Superintendent Slotterback
• Former Richfield Superintendent Urges Voters to Vote 'Yes' On Proposed Referendum
• Richfield Passes Both Referendum Measures