Grundy Reporter

Administrators in Gardner-South Wilmington Township High School District 73 earn an average of $110,285 per year, ranking 347th in the state, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.

The average salary in the district in 2022 is 14.2% higher than in 2021 and 20% more than in 2020. District administrators make 5.1% less than the state average of $116,166.

Administrator salaries depend on the district’s size, location, and resources, as well as the individual’s level of experience and education, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.

Gardner-South Wilmington Township High School District 73 enrolled 168 students in 2021-22. There is an average of 71 students for every administrator, compared to a statewide ratio of 147 to 1.

Gardner-South Wilmington Township High School District 73 roughly covers schools within Grundy County and has a main office in Gardner.

District information was gathered from the Illinois Report Card.

As of 2020, 85 percent of school districts documented that the teacher shortage was a “major” or “minor” problem.

According to the 2021 Illinois Educator Shortage Survey, 88% of the 663 school districts that participated reported having trouble locating instructors and substitute teachers.

The Illinois State Board of Education reports that in 2022, there were more than 5,300 unfilled positions. According to school districts that responded to a 2022 IARSS survey, 68% reported fewer teacher applications than in 2021, and 45% of districts said the shortage was worse than last year.

State Rank	Year	Average salary	Student-to-administrator ratio
347	2022	$110,285	71-to-1
558	2021	$96,598	81-to-1
615	2020	$91,899	84-to-1
318	2019	$108,003	92-to-1
354	2018	$103,235	78-to-1
366	2017	$100,625	82-to-1
758	2016	$77,688	43-to-1
434	2015	$94,782	78-to-1
134	2014	$113,174	105-to-1
439	2013	$91,250	101-to-1