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

Dems release funding counterproposal full of partisan policy riders

Dems release funding counterproposal full of partisan policy riders

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the government shutdown deadline looms, Democrats are splitting sharply with Republicans over what kind of funding stopgap Congress should approve. While Republicans have introduced...
Erika Kirk named CEO of Turning Point USA

Erika Kirk named CEO of Turning Point USA

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, has been named the chief executive officer and chair of the board at Turning Point USA. Charlie Kirk founded the...
Assembly leadership condemns violence, pleads for peaceful future

Assembly leadership condemns violence, pleads for peaceful future

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square A little more than a week after the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk and three months after a Minnesota lawmaker was killed in...
Another Ohio public entity scammed out of more than $400,000

Another Ohio public entity scammed out of more than $400,000

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square For the second time this week, Ohio Auditor Keith Faber released details of a public entity being scammed out of more than $400,000 in a...
WATCH: Pritzker on Kimmel suspension; SNAP error rate alarms; hemp regulations loom

WATCH: Pritzker on Kimmel suspension; SNAP error rate alarms; hemp regulations loom

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 Illinois Gov....
Temporary Rockford Courthouse fence sparks debate over security and costs

Temporary Rockford Courthouse fence sparks debate over security and costs

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A temporary fence surrounding the federal courthouse in downtown Rockford, Illinois is drawing sharp criticism and...
Illinois quick hits: Report: Suspect pictured with Pritzker; more immigration arrests

Illinois quick hits: Report: Suspect pictured with Pritzker; more immigration arrests

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Report: Suspect pictured with Pritzker Less than a week before a smash-and-grab burglary led to a fatal wreck on Chicago’s Magnificent...
City Council 9.16.25.3

Casey Pursues $250,000 Grant for Sidewalks, Adopts New Pedestrian Plan

Article Summary: The Casey City Council advanced its efforts to improve student safety by approving a grant application for the Illinois Safe Routes to School program, which could provide up...
norma-shoot-1758026153

Norma Ann (Moore) Shoot, 86

Norma Ann (Moore) Shoot, 86, of Casey, Illinois, passed away on September 12, 2025, at 2:45 p.m. in her home. Born on October 2, 1938, in Kansas, Illinois, Norma was...
Routh prosecutors expected to rest case Thursday

Routh prosecutors expected to rest case Thursday

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Whether Ryan Routh will testify in his defense remained a mystery as Wednesday’s fifth day of testimony closed and federal prosecutors drew closer to resting...

WATCH: Trump designates Antifa a ‘major terrorist organization’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump is designating Antifa a “major terrorist organization,” he announced in a social media post Wednesday evening. The Center Square asked the president...
ABC pauses Kimmel over comments on Charlie Kirk assassination

ABC pauses Kimmel over comments on Charlie Kirk assassination

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square ABC is dropping late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over comments he made about the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk. Nexstar Media Group Inc. said Wednesday that,...
Advocates debate free speech, executive power over student deportations

Advocates debate free speech, executive power over student deportations

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration’s use of expanded executive power to engage in deportation operations has drawn a mix of praise and criticism from legal experts. The...
Survey: Teachers not optimistic about the future of education

Survey: Teachers not optimistic about the future of education

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Over 60% of teachers surveyed in the U.S. believe issues within education have gotten worse over the past two years, according to the Connecticut Education...
Congressman calls Patel a ‘breath of fresh air’ for the FBI

Congressman calls Patel a ‘breath of fresh air’ for the FBI

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square While Democrats contend that FBI Director Kash Patel is running the agency as a political “vengeance campaign" for the president, Patel defends his reforms and...