Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield School Board for March 16, 2026

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | March 16, 2026

The Casey-Westfield School Board convened for its regular session on Monday, March 16, 2026, addressing several key personnel and operational items. Alongside approving multi-year contracts for building principals and hiring a new head football coach, the Board authorized a facility access agreement with the local fire department and purchased a new floor scrubber for the high school. Building principals also delivered updates on recent high-performing student initiatives, reading milestones, and academic competitions.

Brief Title: Monroe Elementary Read-A-Thon and Bikes for Books Success
Monroe Elementary Principal Kacie Rhoads reported massive student participation in recent reading initiatives. The school’s annual Read-A-Thon wrapped up on March 13, with students logging almost 91,000 reading minutes in just 11 days. The event raised over $13,000 for the school library and classroom incentive programs. Concurrently, the Bikes for Books program, sponsored by the Casey Masonic Lodge, saw students read and pass tests on 3,757 books. Students earned tickets for each passed test, culminating in a drawing on March 18 to win a bicycle.

Brief Title: Former WNBA Player Rushia Brown Speaks to Students
Monroe Elementary welcomed retired WNBA athlete and Sports World presenter Rushia Brown as a guest speaker on February 24. Principal Kacie Rhoads stated that Brown delivered an inspiring message focused on making positive choices, striving for academic excellence, recognizing personal value, and pursuing dreams. Rhoads described the presentation as highly impactful for the school community.

Brief Title: Sixth Grade Shoe Design Winners Announced
As part of an Art class project, sixth-grade students created custom shoe designs, with the final 16 selected by their classroom peers. The entire school and staff then voted on the final bracket. Rhett Athey took first place with a “Dunkin’ Donuts” themed design and won a pair of Nike shoes purchased by the PTO. Audrey Sherwood took second place with an “Oreos” design, and Kruze Julius secured third with a “USA” theme.

Brief Title: High School Students Participate in State Youth Advisory Council
Junior/Senior High School Principal Jim Sullivan reported that teacher Jeffrey Schnetzler took students Will Cochounour, Lucas Weinberger, Norah Ramsey, and Ella Whitacre to the State Capitol in Springfield on March 4. The students served as school representatives at the Youth Advisory Council hosted by State Senator Chapin Rose. Students toured the House and Senate chambers and participated in a mock legislative experience, including a simulated committee meeting and a Senate floor vote.

Brief Title: Math Team and Academic Challenge Success
Casey-Westfield High School students secured high placements in recent academic competitions. The Math Team competed at Eastern Illinois University on February 28, where Corbyn Easton and Chloe Taylor placed first and second, respectively, in Algebra 1. Destiney Budd placed fifth in Geometry, and Will Cochonour placed third in Algebra 2. Additionally, the district hosted 11 schools for the ACES regional competition on March 5, where Charity Large placed first in English, Zoe Miller placed third in Biology, and Kate Yates placed third in Engineering Graphics.