District 202 Continuing to Perform Well: Superintendent

The following is a letter from District 202 Superintendent Lane Abrell:

PLAINFIELD, IL — The dust is finally starting to settle on the national and state-wide elections, and for my money, not a moment too soon.

This election season was even more stressful and distracting than usual no matter who you might have voted for or your feelings about the result.

In the midst of everything swirling above us in Springfield and Washington D.C., I am reminded of an adage that couldn’t be more true or important now – that “all politics is local.”

For most of us, the most important governments are the ones that impact our daily lives – the municipalities that ensure our public safety and remove our garbage, the libraries and park districts that enhance our communities and the school districts that educate our children.

In our case, that means continuing to provide the best possible services to our students, families and staff while maintaining and protecting our taxpayers’ resources (sometimes, ironically, despite challenges caused by the state and federal governments!)

So far, this year we’ve done pretty well on both counts.

Academically, our students’ academic achievement exceeds the state averages in nearly every category.

We celebrated record-high scores on the ACT college entrance exam, and a record-high number of AP Scholars.

We completed installation of the new artificial turf football and digital scoreboards at Plainfield High School – Central Campus and Plainfield South High School. (Plainfield North and East high schools will get their new fields next summer.)

Financially, we approved a new budget that once again anticipates more revenue than expenses.

Our bond rating improved as well thanks to several years of conservative budgeting, cost controlling and fiscal restraint.

And the state report card shows that we run a pretty tight ship on behalf of our taxpayers -- our teachers and administrators all make less than the state averages; our administrative costs as a percent of the overall budget are about a third of the state average; and our operating and instructional expenses per pupil are both below state averages.

We also just approved a three-year contract with the Plainfield Association of Support Staff (PASS) that will give most members modest raises in line with both certified staff and administrators. We will soon begin collective bargaining with the Association for Plainfield Teachers (APT), which represents our certified staff.

District 202 understands that the biggest concern for most people is what happens in their own communities and homes. Our work every day focuses on the students, staff and community members who grace our schools. Each and every day, I am proud to serve as superintendent for District 202.

Together, we will continue to prepare learners for the future.

Dr. Lane Abrell
Superintendent of Schools
Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202