Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield School Board for Feb. 23, 2026

Spread the love

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | Feb. 23, 2026

The Casey-Westfield Community Unit School District 4C Board of Education met on Monday, February 23, 2026, at the Unit Office. The meeting time was moved to 5:00 p.m. to accommodate a regional basketball game. The Board focused on setting the calendar for the upcoming school years, approving administrative salaries, and hiring new staff.

Brief Title: Arts Hall Gets New Sound System
Board President Tracy Gelb announced via an addendum that the Arts Hall has been equipped with a new sound system. The upgrade was funded through a donation from Blattner Energy. Gelb noted that the drama cast was excited to test the new equipment during their rehearsal later that evening.

Brief Title: Masonic Lodge Donates to Art Program
The Board voted to accept a $1,000 donation from the Casey Masonic Lodge #442. The funds are designated for Elementary Art Supplies. The Masonic Lodge also continues to sponsor the “Bikes for Books” program at Monroe Elementary, where 3rd through 5th graders have already read and tested on 2,278 books five weeks into the program.

Brief Title: Upcoming Events and Testing
Principals noted several important upcoming dates. The “Read-A-Thon” at Monroe kicks off on March 2, coinciding with Read Across America Week. Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled for March 12 and 13. State testing (IAR) is scheduled for April 8-13, and the High School Prom will be held on April 25.

Brief Title: Bikes for Books Success
Monroe Elementary students are reading at a rapid pace for the “Bikes for Books” program sponsored by the Casey Masonic Lodge. According to the building report, 3rd through 5th graders have taken and passed 2,278 Accelerated Reader (AR) tests in just the first five weeks of the program. Students earn a ticket for every test passed during their library rotation times for a chance to win a bike.

Brief Title: Social Studies Essay Contest
Junior High social studies students are participating in a local writing challenge titled “The Big 250: Casey Celebrates America.” Created by the City of Casey, the contest asks students to write about what America means to them through the lens of family traditions, community service, and local history. The contest will award first, second, and third-place prizes.

Brief Title: 100th Day of School Celebrated
Kindergarten students at Monroe Elementary marked a major milestone on February 14—the 100th day of school. The celebration included a parade and various counting and craft activities throughout the day to commemorate the achievement.

Brief Title: Photography and Art Skills
High School photography students are learning the history of their craft by creating their own pinhole cameras. The “Beginning Art” students are perfecting black-and-white portrait drawings, while the “Intermediate” group is working on portraits in full color. Meanwhile, Junior High art students are focusing on perspective drawing and ceramics.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Vance optimistic with Gaza peace plan; reiterates no U.S. troops to be on the ground

Vance optimistic with Gaza peace plan; reiterates no U.S. troops to be on the ground

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square No U.S. troops will be on the ground in Gaza, Vice President JD Vance reassured Americans during a visit to Israel on Tuesday. “There are...
Poll: Majority of Americans do not support National Guard to deter crime

Poll: Majority of Americans do not support National Guard to deter crime

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As President Donald Trump continues to deploy troops into American cities in an effort to reduce crime, more than half of Americans said they do...
‘Legal minefield:’ Biometrics reforms needed to keep IL tech biz growing

‘Legal minefield:’ Biometrics reforms needed to keep IL tech biz growing

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square For the past year, business leaders, attorneys and others in Illinois and beyond have watched to see how the courts and the...
Senior Fred Thomas delivers a game-changing play, sacking the Olney quarterback, stripping the ball, and making the recovery to give the Warriors possession in the second quarter.

Warriors Fall to Olney 28-27 in Heartbreaking Battle for Little Illini Title

Featured image caption: Senior Fred Thomas delivers a game-changing play, sacking the Olney quarterback, stripping the ball, and making the recovery to give the Warriors possession in the second quarter....
As military branches celebrate 250 years, Democrats vote against paying them

As military branches celebrate 250 years, Democrats vote against paying them

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In addition to U.S. Senate Democrats voting 11 times to keep the government shut down, they’ve also voted against funding U.S. military personnel, many of...
Chicago transit violent crime at 7 year high, funding concerns persist

Chicago transit violent crime at 7 year high, funding concerns persist

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With federal authorities now threatening to cut Chicago Transit Authority funding due to rising violence across...
WATCH: National Guard case before SCOTUS; Trump insists China soybean deal coming

WATCH: National Guard case before SCOTUS; Trump insists China soybean deal coming

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 reviews the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Harvey furloughs some employees; lead poisoning prevention continues

Illinois quick hits: Harvey furloughs some employees; lead poisoning prevention continues

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Harvey furloughs some employees The Chicago suburb of Harvey has furloughed 69 employees, including police and fire, after the city council...
Illinois quick hits: Filings made to SCOTUS in National Guard case; Chicago sued DHS

Illinois quick hits: Filings made to SCOTUS in National Guard case; Chicago sued DHS

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Filings made to SCOTUS in National Guard case Illinois asked the Supreme Court not to hear President Donald Trump's request to deploy the National...
Colorado Dems seek restoration of $600M in federal funds

Colorado Dems seek restoration of $600M in federal funds

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado Democrats joined together to sign a letter calling for the U.S. Department of Energy to restore over $600 million in funding for 38 Colorado-affiliated...
Senate Democrats block bill to end government shutdown for 11th time

Senate Democrats block bill to end government shutdown for 11th time

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square For the 11th time, U.S. Senate Democrats blocked legislation Monday evening to reopen and fund the federal government, indicating that Republicans’ strategy of waiting out...
WATCH: Eric Trump talks about his book at Reagan Library

WATCH: Eric Trump talks about his book at Reagan Library

By Dave MasonThe Center Square After almost a decade of politics, Eric Trump felt it was time to tell his family's story. President Donald Trump’s son accused Democrats and mainstream...
IL State rep: Grants are paying off in effort to combat auto thefts, carjackings

IL State rep: Grants are paying off in effort to combat auto thefts, carjackings

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bipartisan group of elected officials are applauding a new round of state grants to help police...
Illinois asks Supreme Court not to give Trump authority over National Guard

Illinois asks Supreme Court not to give Trump authority over National Guard

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The state of Illinois asked the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear President Donald Trump's request to deploy the National Guard to Chicago amid a...
9th Circuit rules Trump can activate National Guard to protect ICE in Portland

9th Circuit rules Trump can activate National Guard to protect ICE in Portland

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on Monday overturned a temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge...