by Roy Taylor, Enterprise Correspondent

At its regular meeting Monday night, the Plainfield Board of Education was informed that the additions to Plainfield High School and Walker’s Grove Elementary have been completed on time and at lower costs than previously expected.

During the board’s Finance Committee report, President Robert Smith said the addition of 10 classrooms to the high school was completed one day ahead of schedule at a cost of $159,290. This figure is approximately $10,900 under the amount previously budgeted for the project. Smith commended Stoughton Construction for its timeliness and cost-effectiveness regarding the project.

The Walker’s Grove Elementary addition was completed by Serena Construction Company for $141,852, which is $40,575 under the previously budgeted amount.

The finance committee also recommended that the district’s 1994-1995 budget be put on public display. This recommendation was approved by the board, and the budget is now on public display at the district office until September 29. At that time, a special meeting will be held to approve the budget for the school year.

In other business, the board:

-Passed a resolution to oppose any truck bypass route that would utilize Fort Beggs Drive. District 202 Director of Finance Steve Langert attended a village board meeting in which many alternatives were discussed regarding a truck bypass route around downtown Plainfield. Smith was quick to point out that only one of the many alternatives discussed involved Fort Beggs, but felt it was necessary to unite the school board against that type of alternative. A letter has been sent to Village Administrator Dave Van Vooren communicating the opposition, Smith said.
-Accepted a donation to the district from the Elaine L. Madison Memorial Fund. In accordance with her family’s wishes, 50 percent of the donation will be received by the district’s Foundation for Excellence, and the rest will go to Crystal Lawns Elementary School. In recognizing the gift, Board Vice President Bess Eichelberger said, “Elaine Madison was one of the best principals we’ve ever had; we missed her when she retired and now will miss her as a person.”
-Accepted the donation of $950 in Apple Computer products to the district from Robert Irwin.

The next regular meeting of the Plainfield Board of Education is August 29, 7:30 p.m. at the district office.