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

Documentary shows cost of personal injury lawsuit abuse

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A new documentary aims to shine a light on what happens when American citizens are victimized by the personal injury lawsuit system....

Illinois congresswoman files impeachment articles against Noem

By Catrina BakerThe Center Square Politicians around the country are backing calls to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, as Congresswoman Robin Kelly announced she filed articles of impeachment over...

Military removing some personnel from bases in Middle East

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. military is withdrawing certain personnel from bases throughout the Middle East as President Donald Trump weighs “serious options” against the Iranian regime, according...

Cost estimates vary, even as Denmark says Greenland is not for sale

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's plans to acquire Greenland could cost U.S. taxpayers up front and over the long term. Denmark's leaders have said the semi-autonomous Danish...

U.S. Supreme Court allows IL rep to sue over late ballots

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, said an Illinois congressman has the right to sue the state over counting federal election ballots beyond...

50 Years of Richards Farm Restaurant Celebrated

The Casey Rotary Club celebrated 50 Years of Richards Farm Restaurant with members of the Richards family at Tuesday's weekly meeting. Richards family members pictured above (l to r) are...

IL advocates warn permanent mail-in ballots could be exploited

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois election integrity advocates are raising concerns about the state’s permanent mail-in ballot program in the...

Illinois Quick Hits: State spends $87M on ISU fine arts project

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined officials at Illinois State University on Tuesday to break ground on the...

WATCH: Legislator warns tax dollars used to impede ICE; Pritzker and Trump talk crime

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 shares comments from...

Trump visits Michigan to promote economic ‘turnaround’

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square President Donald Trump returned to Michigan on Tuesday to tout the economy and the auto industry. During his visit, Trump spoke to the Detroit Economic...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Casey Council for Jan. 5, 2026

Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Casey Council Meeting | Jan. 5, 2026 The Casey City Council met on Monday, January 5, 2026, to address a variety of infrastructure and...

Music, drama teacher sues Catholic HS over ‘anti-gay’ discrimination

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A gay man who was fired from the position of music and theater director at Marquette High School in Alton has filed...

Fed charges: Yemeni, Haitian nationals stole millions in SNAP benefits

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square It’s not just Somalians in Minnesota charged in a widescale scheme to defraud taxpayer-funded federal welfare programs. Haitian and Yemeni immigrants have also been charged...

Illinois Quick Hits: IDPH accountability officer fired

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The former chief grant accountability officer for the Illinois Department of Public Health is being held accountable...

Los Angeles County considers creating ICE-free zones

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its initial publication to include a comment from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Los Angeles County...

« Previous
1
…
85
86
87
88
89
…
210
Next »