Casey-Westfield Board Approves Principal Contracts, Hires New Head Football Coach

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | March 16, 2026

Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield School Board solidified its administrative team and athletic coaching staff, approving multi-year contracts for building principals and appointing a new head football coach for the upcoming school year.

Administrative and Personnel Key Points:

• Junior/Senior High School Principal James Sullivan and Monroe Elementary Principal Kacie Rhoads both received three-year contracts running through the 2028-2029 school year.

• Dakota Strange was hired as the new head football coach for the 2026-2027 season.

• The Board accepted the resignation of Tom Brannon as head basketball coach, effective at the end of the current school year.

• A slate of non-tenured teachers was approved for continued employment.

The Casey-Westfield School Board on Monday, March 16, 2026, unanimously approved a series of administrative contracts and coaching changes, securing leadership for both the district’s schools and athletic programs.

Following a closed session, the Board voted to approve three-year contracts for Junior/Senior High School Principal James Sullivan and Monroe Elementary Principal Kacie Rhoads. Both contracts will cover the 2026-2027 through 2028-2029 school years.

Additionally, the Board approved one-year contracts for Junior/Senior High School Assistant Principal Dalton McFarland and Monroe Elementary Assistant Principal Audra Taylor for the 2026-2027 school year.

In athletic personnel moves, the Board employed Dakota Strange as the head football coach for the 2026-2027 school year. Strange’s hiring comes as the Board also accepted the resignation of Tom Brannon as the head basketball coach, which will take effect at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Tina Burris also submitted her resignation as the Monroe Yearbook Sponsor, effective at the end of the current academic year.

The Board also moved to continue the employment of numerous non-tenured teachers. Moving into their fourth year and achieving tenure or accelerated tenure are Sarah Seaton, Caryn Gilbert, Heather Lee, Sarah Richardson, and Robin Karras. Teachers moving to their third, second, and first years of continued employment were also approved without objection.

Board members Becky Clement, Erin Fain, Tracy Gelb, Shane Todd, Lisa Huddlestun, and Mike Fouty voted in favor of the personnel recommendations. Board member Jason Sharp was absent from the meeting.