Casey-Westfield Board Holds Hearing on $4.5 Million Safety Bond Issue

The Casey-Westfield School Board conducted a public hearing on a proposed $4.5 million bond issue for fire prevention and safety improvements, while also approving 4% administrative salary increases and addressing state funding concerns during Monday’s meeting.

Casey resident Cody Heer spoke during the public hearing, expressing concerns about property tax burdens in Illinois, which he noted ranks second highest in the nation for property taxes. Heer urged the board to consider factors including rising teacher salaries, business costs, high improvement project expenses, and interest rates when deliberating the bond decision.

“He asked that the Board consider factors such as rising teacher salaries, the cost of doing business, the high cost of improvement projects, interest rates, as well as alternate means of funding while deliberating this decision,” according to the meeting minutes.

Board President Gelb thanked Heer for his input, and no other public comments were offered during the hearing. The hearing was declared closed without board action on the bonds, indicating further deliberation is planned.

Kendall King of King’s Financial Consulting presented the district’s current bonding capacity and reviewed tentative debt service schedules. He reported that the district currently has a low ratio of long-term debt versus its bonding capacity, suggesting financial capacity to handle additional borrowing if approved.

The board unanimously approved 4% salary increases for four administrative positions effective for fiscal year 2026: superintendent, junior/senior high principal, junior/senior high assistant principal, and Monroe Elementary principal. The increases reflect efforts to maintain competitive compensation for leadership positions.

Personnel changes included accepting retirement letters from Monroe Library Aide Rebecca Stutesman (effective end of 2028-2029 school year) and District Technology Specialist Stephanie Hanners (effective June 30, 2029). The board also accepted the resignation of Pre-K Special Education teacher Berdeena Leturno at the end of the current school year.

New hires include Chelsea Cox as first grade teacher for 2025-2026, Branda Schrock as two-hour cook at Monroe Elementary, and Dakota Strange as junior high track assistant coach.

State funding concerns dominated Superintendent Mike Shackelford’s report, as he outlined Governor Pritzker’s proposed FY26 education budget. The governor recommended $350 million in additional Evidence Based Funding (the statutory minimum), $20 million for Mandated Categoricals, and $1.3 million for Career and Technical Education.

However, Shackelford noted these recommendations “fall well short of the $140 million requested by ISBE to maintain the status quo on reimbursements to districts,” indicating potential financial challenges ahead for school districts statewide.

The board approved the 2025-2026 school calendar, with the school year beginning August 13-14 with teacher institute days and students reporting for their first day on August 15.

Student activities continue thriving across grade levels, with Monroe Elementary’s successful Kids Heart Challenge raising $14,665.05, exceeding the $10,000 goal. The upcoming “Annie Jr.” musical performances are scheduled for February 27-28 and March 1 at Arts Hall.

Academic achievements include the ACES team placing third at regionals and advancing to sectionals, while eighth-grade social studies students impressed with a Presidential Recital where they recited all 47 U.S. presidents in order. Tommy Roberts earned recognition as an Illinois State Scholar.