Building Reports Highlight Testing Triumphs, Historic Track Records, and Career Exploration

Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | April 20, 2026

Article Summary: Building administrators delivered comprehensive academic reports to the Casey-Westfield Board of Education on Monday, highlighting state testing completions, athletic milestones, and highly engaging elementary learning initiatives.

Academic and Extracurricular Key Points:

• Monroe Elementary successfully completed IAR state testing, overcoming a day-one WiFi outage to administer 56 make-up tests.

• Junior High track athlete Ian Richardson set a new school record in the 200m dash with a time of 24.2 seconds, breaking the previous record by 0.3 seconds.

• The “Girls in Motion” and “Boys in Motion” programs launched successfully at Monroe Elementary with 33 total student participants engaging in workouts and internet safety presentations.

• Eighth-grade students attended a career conference at Lake Land College, while high school English students celebrated the completion of their ACT prep unit.

The Casey-Westfield Board of Education on Monday, April 20, 2026, reviewed highly detailed building reports from building principals showcasing student achievements across academics, athletics, and community involvement as the school year enters its final stretch.

At Monroe Elementary, Principal Kacie Rhoads reported that the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) state testing is officially complete. While the testing window experienced technical hiccups—including a WiFi outage that delayed testing by a day—staff successfully managed the administration, including 56 make-up tests. According to the board report, students were motivated by daily incentives, including extra recess and items from a snack cart. Results are expected in the fall.

Rhoads also highlighted the successful launch of the “Girls in Motion” and “Boys in Motion” programs, which currently feature 24 girls and 9 boys. The inaugural week featured a visit from Officer Metzlaars to discuss internet safety, followed by workout games led by AJ Cox. The elementary report also celebrated two local winners from the 5th and 6th-grade History Fair and thanked Victoria Hollensbe for bringing the interactive “Star Lab” to the school.

At the Junior/Senior High School, Principal Jim Sullivan reported that testing is also complete, and the student body is turning its focus to upcoming end-of-year events like Prom.

The high school academic report detailed extensive classroom activities. Mrs. Richardson’s Junior English Language Arts classes recently completed a “Hammer the Grammar” ACT prep unit, earning hammer-shaped pens to celebrate their hard work ahead of the April 15-16 exams. Meanwhile, 7th-grader Casen Evans was congratulated for placing third in the America 250 History Fair with a project on the history of the John Deere Tractor.

On the athletic front, the board report celebrated Junior High track athlete Ian Richardson, who shattered the school record in the 200m dash at the Effingham Invitational. Richardson ran a 24.2, breaking Jay Hart’s previous record of 24.5.

Extracurricular clubs also reported heavy community involvement. The FFA is currently building picnic tables and park benches—including a set bound for the West Union Cafe—while also remodeling a customer’s trailer and performing veterinary tagging on local sheep, goats, and pigs.

Additionally, the 8th-grade class recently attended Lake Land College’s 34th Annual Career Conference. Students explored career paths with local professionals and heard from keynote speaker Brooks Harper. One Casey-Westfield student won a copy of Harper’s book, 7 Skills to Make Mill$!, after answering a question during the presentation.