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.

Latest News Stories

Warriors defensive lineman Fred Thomas wraps up the Lawrenceville quarterback for a sack. The play was a crucial strip-sack that led to a fumble recovery and Casey-Westfield's first possession of the game. (Photo by Terri Cox)

Warriors Dominate Lawrenceville, Improve to 5-0 and Clinch Playoff Berth

By Terri Cox | Staff Writer LAWRENCEVILLE - The Casey-Westfield Warriors traveled to Lawrenceville on Saturday afternoon, spoiling the Indians' Homecoming game at Loeb Field. The Warriors shined in all...

Casey Rotary Club welcomed District Governor John Calderon

The Casey Rotary Club welcomed District Governor 6490 John Calderon as the guest speaker for its Sept. 23 meeting at Richards Farm Restaurant. Calderon spoke about Rotary International’s continued effort...

WATCH: Illinois Republicans propose law putting distance between protesters, police

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois statehouse Republicans are pushing for a measure to give police conducting official business some distance from...

Economists: Bears’ Arlington Heights stadium won’t bring promised benefits

By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Economists say that reports making large economic claims about a new Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights...

Trump-era move to limit prison unions draws fire from lawmakers and staff

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of President Donald Trump’s plan to scale back collective bargaining say union contracts raise taxpayer...

Illinois quick hits: Durbin declines award; nearly $1B in sports betting revenue

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Durbin declines award Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has decided not to receive an award from the Archdiocese of Chicago for...

WATCH: Trump, Pritzker trade barbs; U.S. Senate talks Chicago; partial government shutdown

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop airs the latest...

WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ‘loser’ as governor prepares for troop deployment lawsuit

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is a “loser” and that the city needs the...

Illinois quick hits: Quantum facility breaks ground; immigration group responds to raid

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Quantum facility breaks ground Ground is broken for the first project at the planned Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park at Quantum...

Bipartisan senators reintroduce H-1B visa reforms

By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) — As the Trump administration’s recent efforts to reform the H-1B visa process by adding a one-time $100,000...

WATCH: Illinois student struggles continue as enrollments decline

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A public education advocacy group says Illinois students are still struggling with academic proficiency. Advance Illinois held...

Summer 2025 Graduates Announed

Lake Land College is pleased to announce the students who have graduated following completion of the Summer 2025 term. The 2025 Summer graduates are: Name Hometown Degree ...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for August 18, 2025

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved a $117.7 million budget, updated its student hazing policies to comply with a new federal law, and took the first step toward...

Department of Energy returning $13B climate agenda funding to taxpayers

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Energy will be returning to American taxpayers $13 billion in “unobligated wasteful spending” that was originally intended for former President Joe...

Trump directs war secretary to send troops to Portland to protect ICE

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Troops will be sent in to protect immigration and customs enforcement facilities “under siege” in Portland, President Donald Trump said Saturday morning. The president cited...

« Previous
1
…
151
152
153
154
155
…
204
Next »