Elmhurst Schools Not Fully Staffed, But Close

ELMHURST, IL – In its second week of classes, Elmhurst School District 205 is close to becoming fully staffed. In some categories, its position has improved from a year ago.

Of more than 600 teachers, the district has just one vacancy, the same as the last two years at this time, officials reported at Tuesday's school board meeting.

The average teacher salary in Elmhurst was nearly $93,125 last year, well above the $76,000 state average, according to the Illinois Report Card.

As for teacher's aides, 91 percent of positions are filled, up 6 percentage points from a year ago and 12 percentage points from 2023.

In recent years, area school districts have struggled to find teacher's aides, so many have increased pay. In 2022, District 205 gave aides a 14 percent raise.

Among custodians and maintenance employees, 96.5 percent of positions are filled, with two vacant. Last year, 98 percent of such jobs were occupied.

For substitute teachers, the district's situation has greatly improved. The number has increased to 162 subs, from 128 a year ago. That's an increase of more than 25 percent.

Speaking about the nearly complete staffing, Joseph Schumacher, assistant superintendent of human resources, told the school board, "It is truly indicative of a strong organizational culture and an attractive broader community."

Unlike past years, the district has no plans to increase its headcount.