May 4, 2026/

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield Board of Education for April 20, 2026

Spread the love

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

The Casey-Westfield Board of Education met for a regular session on Monday, April 20, 2026. The board accelerated major HVAC replacements at the high school to address failing boilers, navigated state transportation funding shortfalls, and approved nearly $100,000 in new Chromebooks and Promethean boards for Monroe Elementary. Following the regular business agenda, the board adjourned into a closed executive session at 7:27 p.m. to discuss specific employment and litigation matters under the Open Meetings Act before reconvening in open session at 8:10 p.m. to vote on personnel changes.

Personnel Changes Approved: Following executive session, the board voted unanimously to accept the immediate resignations of Color Guard Instructor Rebecca Geffs and HS/JH Volleyball Coach Jessica Daugherty. Daugherty also resigned as an HS Supervisory Aide, effective May 26. The board formally employed Cassie Brewer as a Title I Interventionist at Monroe, Laney Gowin as a Cross Categorical Special Education teacher, Julia Kerchief as an HS Spanish teacher, and Aaron Justice as the Head HS Boys Basketball coach for the 2026-2027 school year.

Board Policy Updates: The board unanimously approved the first reading of several upcoming board policy updates. The updates are being implemented as presented in the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) PRESS issue #121.

Upcoming Academic Events: Building principals announced several upcoming end-of-year dates for families. Monroe Elementary will host a 1st and 2nd Grade program featuring special music by the 4th grade on April 23 at 9:00 a.m. The Monroe 5th and 6th-grade awards program will be held on May 8 at 9:00 a.m. At the high school, Awards Night is scheduled for May 12, with Graduation slated for May 17 at 2:00 p.m.

Records Destruction: As part of the consent agenda, the board authorized the destruction of the verbatim audio records of closed board meetings that are 18 months and older, as permitted by Board Policy 220 and 220-E1. The board also approved the scheduled disposal of regular district records for Fiscal Year 2026.

Crete-Monee Students Don Hard Hats for VIP Construction Tour: During the Crete-Monee Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, board members praised Bear Construction for their community outreach at the district’s active building sites. According to Board Member William J. Sawallisch Jr., the construction company recently provided students with hard hats and safety vests, allowing them to take a guided walking tour of the ongoing facility upgrades. The students were given a behind-the-scenes explanation of how large-scale construction projects operate. District officials confirmed that despite the ongoing daytime work, the construction has caused no interruptions to daily school operations.

Casey-Westfield First Graders Receive Donated Books: During the Casey-Westfield Board of Education meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026, the Monroe Elementary building report highlighted a generous community donation. The local “Casey In Action” organization, alongside retired teachers Janet Squires and Dianna Hickox, visited the school to ensure every Kindergarten and First Grade student received a free book of their choosing to take home and keep.

‘Monroe Madness’ Sweeps Casey-Westfield Elementary: The Casey-Westfield Board of Education on Monday, April 20, 2026, learned about a highly engaging school-wide activity at Monroe Elementary dubbed “Monroe Madness.” Embracing the spirit of spring college basketball tournaments, students participated in a structured, bracket-style voting competition. Classrooms voted on various categories, including favorite foods, shoes, and school subjects. The advancing brackets and final results were prominently displayed on a school-wide bulletin board to foster a sense of community connection among the young students.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Clay Target Shooting Team Finishes Second at USA College Clay Target Nationals

Clay Target Shooting Team Finishes Second at USA College Clay Target Nationals

Featured photo caption: Pictured back row (from left to right): Kyle Coats, Carrolton; Collin Hewing, Mode; Jaxson Wilson, Newton; Austin Carlen, Toledo; and Madelyn Coats, Carrolton. Pictured front row (from...
Illinois sports wagers decline after implementation of new tax

Illinois sports wagers decline after implementation of new tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Gaming Board has reported a 15% drop in September sports betting, after the state imposed...
Competing crypto plans create 'narrow path' for adoption

Competing crypto plans create ‘narrow path’ for adoption

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Two competing plans seeking to define market structure for digital assets in the U.S. have left a "narrow path" to pass regulations for cryptocurrency. The...
Congress used government funding bill to 'erase' $3.4 trillion in deficits

Congress used government funding bill to ‘erase’ $3.4 trillion in deficits

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Quietly tucked inside Republicans’ funding deal to end the government shutdown is a provision wiping the congressional Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) scorecard, effectively forgiving nearly $3.4 trillion...
Illinois patient relies on ACA tax credits, experts warn they drive higher premiums

Illinois patient relies on ACA tax credits, experts warn they drive higher premiums

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square President Donald Trump signed a House-passed short-term spending bill late Wednesday, ending the shutdown and keeping the government open through January, notably without the Affordable...
Clark County Graphic.6

County Employee Challenges Health Plan Accuracy at Board Meeting

Clark County Board Meeting | September 19, 2025 Article Summary:A Clark County employee informed the board that the county's health insurance plan, particularly its GAP coverage, is not performing as...
Trump rolls back tariffs on over 200 foods in sharp reversal

Trump rolls back tariffs on over 200 foods in sharp reversal

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Responding to Americans' frustrations over high grocery prices, President Donald Trump issued an executive order Friday exempting more than 200 food products from tariffs. "Certain...
Trump says $2,000 tariff rebate checks won't come before Christmas

Trump says $2,000 tariff rebate checks won’t come before Christmas

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans won't get a $2,000 rebate check from the federal government before Christmas. President Donald Trump said Friday that the proposed checks will not be...
Chicago mayor threatens layoffs, property tax hikes if council rejects head tax

Chicago mayor threatens layoffs, property tax hikes if council rejects head tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is threatening service cuts, layoffs and property tax hikes if aldermen reject his...
Goldwater Institute sues Arizona attorney general for records

Goldwater Institute sues Arizona attorney general for records

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A lawsuit has been filed against Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. Phoenix-based Goldwater Institute brought the lawsuit. Attorneys want Mayes to release alleged price-fixing complaint...
Illinois quick hits: Four officers injured during ICE protest

Illinois quick hits: Four officers injured during ICE protest

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Four officers injured during ICE protest Four state and local law enforcement officers were injured and 21 people were arrested Friday...
California asks court to end federalization of National Guard

California asks court to end federalization of National Guard

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California officials Friday renewed their motion for a judge to end the federalized deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles. Attorney General Rob Bonta...
ICE, Florida officers arrest 230, including 150 sex offenders

ICE, Florida officers arrest 230, including 150 sex offenders

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers arrested 230 foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally, many with extensive criminal histories....
With shutdown over, fight over Obamacare reform is on

With shutdown over, fight over Obamacare reform is on

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the record-long government shutdown finally over, Republicans are ramping up conversations about how to reform Obamacare and address the rising cost of insurance premiums....
Feds launch initiative to conduct welfare checks on unaccompanied minors

Feds launch initiative to conduct welfare checks on unaccompanied minors

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has launched an initiative with state and local law enforcement 287(g) partners to locate roughly 450,000 “unaccompanied alien children” (UACs)...