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

California legislators react to ICE's fatal shooting of citizen

California legislators react to ICE’s fatal shooting of citizen

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square In reaction to Saturday's fatal shooting of an American citizen in Minnesota by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, California lawmakers are introducing legislation designed...
Senate Judiciary to hear Minnesota fraud allegations

Senate Judiciary to hear Minnesota fraud allegations

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee will hear new accusations regarding the Minnesota fraud scandal investigation. The hearing, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, will likely...
Trump: Minnesota fraud, riots linked

Trump: Minnesota fraud, riots linked

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As protests continue in Minneapolis after the Saturday shooting death of a city resident by an immigration officer, the Trump administration is blaming local and...
WA leaders intensify opposition to federal immigration enforcement efforts

WA leaders intensify opposition to federal immigration enforcement efforts

By TJ MartinellThe Center Square Washington state elected officials are intensifying their opposition to federal immigration enforcement efforts following the shooting of a protester in Minnesota by Immigration and Customs...

WATCH: Trump, Walz speak; White House puts demands on Minnesota leaders

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As tensions continue to rise in Minneapolis and immigration officials ratchet up enforcement, President Donald Trump announced a potential breakthrough in a stalemate between Trump...
Police group urges White House to convene law enforcement officials to work together

Police group urges White House to convene law enforcement officials to work together

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following a second fatal shooting in Minneapolis involving immigration officials, a prominent law enforcement organization is urging the White House to bring together local, state...
Illinois quick hits: Report: Paroled six-time felon charged in shootings

Illinois quick hits: Report: Paroled six-time felon charged in shootings

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Report: Paroled six-time felon charged in shootings Prosecutors have charged a paroled six-time felon with shooting a woman inside a Chicago...
Systematic organization behind riots in Minnesota probed by FBI

Systematic organization behind riots in Minnesota probed by FBI

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A systematic organization behind riots in Minnesota exposed through leaked group chats is under investigation, says FBI Director Kash Patel. Patel said the FBI is...
Malibu continues to rebuild one year after Palisades Fire

Malibu continues to rebuild one year after Palisades Fire

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Malibu is open for business, but officials say more time is needed to get the famous beach city back in the shape it was in...
‘Promises kept’: American energy dominance has advanced in Trump’s first year

‘Promises kept’: American energy dominance has advanced in Trump’s first year

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A year into President Donald Trump’s second term, American energy dominance has advanced as promised, confirmed by affordable power and reliable energy, and seen in...
Illinois millionaire’s tax would direct 50% of revenue to public schools

Illinois millionaire’s tax would direct 50% of revenue to public schools

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposal for a state constitutional amendment to impose a millionaire’s tax has been referred to the...
Group seeks clarity on local IL governments using tax dollars for polling

Group seeks clarity on local IL governments using tax dollars for polling

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A taxpayer advocacy group warns local governments could be using tax dollars to promote tax increase proposals....
Illinois congressmen call for accountability after fatal Minneapolis shooting

Illinois congressmen call for accountability after fatal Minneapolis shooting

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square Illinois members of Congress are speaking out following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday, emphasizing the need for...
Kavanagh: Mayes must resign, her comments endanger ICE

Kavanagh: Mayes must resign, her comments endanger ICE

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, called on Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to resign after she said people who feel they are in...
Riots continue in Twin Cities

Riots continue in Twin Cities

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Rioting is crippling Minneapolis with local lawmen standing down in the wake of the second shooting by federal agents in the Twin Cities. Local law...