Casey-Westfield School District Reports Strong Financial Position

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | October 20, 2025

Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield school district maintains a healthy financial status with operating funds equivalent to seven months of expenses, exceeding state recommendations and securing the highest possible financial score.

District Financial Health Key Points:

• As of June 30, 2025, the district’s operating fund balance was $5,980,274.

• This balance represents approximately seven months of average operating costs.

• The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recommends districts maintain a balance equivalent to six months of operating costs for a top financial rating.

The Casey-Westfield C-4 school board on Monday, October 20, 2025, received a positive financial update from Superintendent Mike Shackelford, who reported the district is in a strong fiscal position with a significant operating fund balance.

Shackelford informed the board that as of June 30, 2025, the district’s operating fund balance stood at nearly $6 million. Based on a three-year average of district expenditures, which totals $9,781,165.67, this balance represents approximately seven months of average operating costs.

This financial cushion places the district ahead of state recommendations. According to Shackelford, the Illinois State Board of Education’s Financial Profile scoring system requires districts to have a minimum of three months of operating costs on hand to achieve the highest score. ISBE further recommends that districts maintain a balance equivalent to six months of operating expenses.

“This balance represents approximately 7 months of average operating costs,” Shackelford’s report stated, indicating the district’s financial stability. He also noted that he has begun preliminary work on the 2025 tax levy. Additionally, the district received and responded to three Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests during the month.