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

Texas House Democrats may return after first special session is over

Texas House Democrats may return after first special session is over

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After the Texas House didn’t reach a quorum on Tuesday, the Texas House Democratic Caucus said absconding House Democrats would return after the first special...
Illegal border crossings reach lowest level in recorded US history in July

Illegal border crossings reach lowest level in recorded US history in July

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Illegal border crossings nationwide dropped to their lowest level in recorded history in July, according to the latest U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. “CBP...
GE Appliances announces $3 billion investment in U.S. production

GE Appliances announces $3 billion investment in U.S. production

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square GE Appliances announced a $3 billion investment over the next five years to increase production at facilities across the country. The appliance manufacturer, whose parent...
VA reduces benefits backlog as concerns linger over potential cuts

VA reduces benefits backlog as concerns linger over potential cuts

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Department of Veterans Affairs said it processed more disability benefits compensation and pension ratings claims in a year than ever before, despite concerns that...
DOJ settles West Point lawsuit over race-based admissions

DOJ settles West Point lawsuit over race-based admissions

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Justice Department has reached a settlement with the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to resolve a federal lawsuit targeting the elite schools over...
Texas AG Paxton files motion of contempt against O’Rourke

Texas AG Paxton files motion of contempt against O’Rourke

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a motion for contempt against former U.S. Rep. Robert Francis (Beto) O’Rourke claiming he violated a temporary restraining...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Wednesday Aug. 13th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Wednesday Aug. 13th, 2025

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...
Illinois law empowers officials to crack down on predatory towing

Illinois law empowers officials to crack down on predatory towing

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Beginning Jan. 1, a new Illinois law cracks down on predatory towing by letting the Illinois...
Texas Supreme Court sets expedited schedule in Paxton, 13 House Dems case

Texas Supreme Court sets expedited schedule in Paxton, 13 House Dems case

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Texas Supreme Court has set an expedited schedule in a case filed by Attorney General Ken Paxton requesting the court remove 13 Texas House...
Texas Supreme Court sets expedited briefing schedule in Abbott-Wu case

Texas Supreme Court sets expedited briefing schedule in Abbott-Wu case

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Texas Supreme Court has set an expedited briefing schedule in a case filed by Gov. Greg Abbott to remove from office House Democratic Caucus...
Illinois quick hits: Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

Illinois quick hits: Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault A former Chicago public school dean has been sentenced to 22 years in...
Friday meeting with Putin a ‘listening exercise’ for Trump, Leavitt says

Friday meeting with Putin a ‘listening exercise’ for Trump, Leavitt says

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Tuesday that the president’s expectations for his Friday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin aren’t perhaps as high...
S&P 500, Nasdaq enjoy record day

S&P 500, Nasdaq enjoy record day

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Two of the major three stock indices closed at all-time highs Tuesday amidst speculation that the Federal Reserve may reduce interest rates in September. The...
Trump condemns possible low-income housing Pacific Palisades rebuild

Trump condemns possible low-income housing Pacific Palisades rebuild

By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square President Donald Trump condemned the possibility of building low-income housing in the Pacific Palisades, and the City of Los Angeles’s slow issuance of rebuilding permits...
Pro-marijuana groups claim reclassification would be good for businesses

Pro-marijuana groups claim reclassification would be good for businesses

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration is looking to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, which could lessen criminal penalties and expand banking opportunities for companies in...