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

Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Blanks Richland County 2-0 Behind Masterful One-Hit Shutout

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team leaned on a flawless defensive effort and a dominant pitching performance to earn a 2-0 home conference victory over Richland County on Monday. Casey-Westfield pitchers...
U.S. Navy intercepts, seizes Iranian cargo ship

U.S. Navy intercepts, seizes Iranian cargo ship

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A U.S. Navy destroyer intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday, President Donald Trump said. The ship named Touska was intercepted in the...

Everyday Economics: Retail sales and housing suggest a resilient consumer

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square This week, the focus shifts to the consumer, with March retail sales and the National Association of Realtors’ pending home sales report. Both reports are...
Authorities: 8 children killed in domestic shootings in NW Louisiana

Authorities: 8 children killed in domestic shootings in NW Louisiana

By Dan McCaleb and Darren SvanThe Center Square Eight children were killed early Sunday in domestic-related shootings at three Shreveport homes, authorities said. Shreveport Police Department spokesman and public affairs...
Reentry housing bill draws support from advocates; debate centers on cost, public safety

Reentry housing bill draws support from advocates; debate centers on cost, public safety

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of Illinois’ proposed “Homes for Good Act” say the measure could reduce recidivism and improve...
Supreme Court to hear migrant parole case Wednesday

Supreme Court to hear migrant parole case Wednesday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will begin its final oral arguments sitting of the current term on Monday. The justices will hear several high profile arguments...
U.S., Iran to resume talks; Trump issues dire threat

U.S., Iran to resume talks; Trump issues dire threat

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Talks to strike a deal with Iran will reconvene this week ahead of Wednesday’s ceasefire expiration as President Donald Trump issued fresh threats Sunday on...
Trump admin seeks health-care price transparency

Trump admin seeks health-care price transparency

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Taxpayer advocates are applauding the Trump administration over its efforts calling for medical price transparency in federal employee health-care plans while health-care industry leaders are...
Energy industry celebrates Supreme Court ruling in favor of Chevron

Energy industry celebrates Supreme Court ruling in favor of Chevron

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Chevron is being celebrated by the energy industry, but it does not end Louisiana’s coastal litigation. The...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Massive Fourth Inning Powers Casey-Westfield Past North Central 13-4

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team utilized an eight-run explosion in the fourth inning to break open a tightly contested game, ultimately cruising to a 13-4 non-conference road victory over North...
Illinois proposal aims to improve detection of potentially staged deaths

Illinois proposal aims to improve detection of potentially staged deaths

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Sen. Craig Wilcox, R-Woodstock, says too many deaths initially ruled as suicides may actually be...
Analysis: Homelessness predicted to rise despite policy efforts

Analysis: Homelessness predicted to rise despite policy efforts

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square Homelessness is predicted to rise, while policies predicted to lower the homeless numbers only address part of the cause, according to analysts. The annual Point-In-Time...
Bachelor’s at Illinois community colleges may widen access, affordability

Bachelor’s at Illinois community colleges may widen access, affordability

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Community colleges in Illinois could soon offer Bachelor’s degree programs to Illinois residents. Officials, lawmakers and students...
Iran reverses course, closes Strait of Hormuz

Iran reverses course, closes Strait of Hormuz

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Less than 24 hours after Iran and President Donald Trump touted the Strait of Hormuz open, the Islamic Republic has reportedly reversed course, closing the...
Los Angeles school district seeks state's money for pay hikes

Los Angeles school district seeks state’s money for pay hikes

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Center Square) - The Los Angeles Unified School District managed to avoid a strike this week after reaching 11th-hour agreements with three unions. Now...