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

City Council 9.16.25.2

Casey Hires Hometown Engineer Ryan Staley as New Director of Public Works

Article Summary: The Casey City Council has officially appointed Casey native and civil engineer Ryan Staley as the city's new Director of Public Works, positioning him to take over for...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey Township Library Board of Trustees for August 7, 2025

Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | August 7, 2025 The Casey Township Library Board took another step toward replacing its failed air conditioner on Thursday, August 7, 2025,...
WATCH: Illinois prison mail scanning rule faces lawmaker scrutiny

WATCH: Illinois prison mail scanning rule faces lawmaker scrutiny

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Emergency rules from the Illinois Department of Corrections to scan inmate mail are under review by...
Illinois quick hits: Edgar funeral details released; O'Hare measles exposure warning

Illinois quick hits: Edgar funeral details released; O’Hare measles exposure warning

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Edgar funeral details released Funeral services have been announced for former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar. The public can pay last respects...
WATCH: Leading IL House Republican urges Pritzker to address SNAP errors

WATCH: Leading IL House Republican urges Pritzker to address SNAP errors

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The leading Republican in the Illinois House is raising the alarm that Illinois taxpayers are on the...
WATCH: Pritzker criticizes Trump as feds make arrests in immigration enforcement blitz

WATCH: Pritzker criticizes Trump as feds make arrests in immigration enforcement blitz

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is questioning President Donald Trump’s health as federal authorities arrive in Illinois to ramp...
WATCH: Freedom Caucus files Pritzker impeachment; Trump says Chicago is next

WATCH: Freedom Caucus files Pritzker impeachment; Trump says Chicago is next

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 the latest...
City Council 9.16.25.1

Casey Faces $1.1 Million Utility Deficit Amid Population Decline, Rate Hikes Likely

Article Summary: Mayor Mike Nichols revealed the City of Casey's utility departments operated at a nearly $1.1 million loss last fiscal year, a financial crisis driven by a significant population...
IL legislator: New public defender law adds costs, takes away local control

IL legislator: New public defender law adds costs, takes away local control

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Illinois law creates a statewide office to address public defender staffing gaps, but critics...
Illinois quick hits: Midway Blitz arrests announced; call for veterans tributes

Illinois quick hits: Midway Blitz arrests announced; call for veterans tributes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Midway Blitz arrests announced According to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested several dangerous...
Casey Library.3

Casey Library Renews $90,000 CD at 4.15%, Reports on Financial Health

Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | August 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Casey Township Library Board of Trustees received a positive financial update, including the renewal of a...
Casey Lions Club

Patsy Phillips Wins annual Lions Club Raffle

Lions Club members Bob Dougherty and Bruce Brown present Patsy Phillips with an $18,000 check for winning the annual Lions Club Raffle. The winning ticket was drawn at the 37th...
Ryan Staley_5134

City Council Hires New Superintendent of Utilities

Ryan Staley, 2007 graduate of Casey-Westfield High School, was hired as the new Director of Public Works for the City of Casey to replace Shelby Biggs, who will retire in...
'Peacekeepers' reportedly commit Chicago crimes as Pritzker calls for more funding

‘Peacekeepers’ reportedly commit Chicago crimes as Pritzker calls for more funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson push for more community violence intervention funding from...
WATCH: Trump says sending National Guard to Chicago 'probably next'

WATCH: Trump says sending National Guard to Chicago ‘probably next’

By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - President Donald Trump said Monday that Chicago is "probably next" to see the National Guard sent in...