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Monday, October 27, 2025

Analysis: Lewistown Community Unit School District 97 administrators rank 94th lowest in state for average salary in 2024

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Jason Helfer Chief Education Officer - Instruction | Twitter

Jason Helfer Chief Education Officer - Instruction | Twitter

Administrators in Lewistown Community Unit School District 97 earn an average of $89,788 per year, ranking 94th lowest in the state, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

The average salary in the district in 2024 was 13% lower than in 2023 and 1.1% less than in 2022. District administrators made 24.8% less than the state average of $119,384.

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.

In Illinois, school administrators are educational leaders who oversee the management and operations of schools and districts. This includes roles such as superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals, directors of special education, and chief school business officials. 

These positions require a Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsed in an administrative field, which involves meeting specific educational and experiential criteria set by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

Lewistown Community Unit School District 97 enrolled 590 students in the 2023-24 school year. This means there was an average of 118 students for every administrator, compared to the statewide ratio of 135 to 1.

Lewistown Community Unit School District 97 roughly covers schools within Fulton County and has a main office in Lewistown.

District information was gathered from the Illinois Report Card.

The Illinois Educator Shortage Survey found more than 3,800 unfilled teaching positions in the 2024-25 school year, down 5.6% from the previous year. 

The survey also reported nearly 200 vacant administrator roles, a notable increase of 16.7%. Despite the rise, only about one-third of educational leaders said administrator shortages were a problem.

Administrator Average Salary Comparison Over 10 Years: Lewistown Community Unit School District 97 vs. Illinois

2015201620172018201920202021202220232024050,000100,000150,000DistrictState

Lewistown Community Unit School District 97 Administrator Salaries, 10-Year Trend
State RankYearAverage salaryStudent-to-administrator ratio
7722024$89,788118-to-1
5062023$103,174144-to-1
7032022$90,792117-to-1
7122021$88,107117-to-1
7362020$84,312125-to-1
7622019$81,398130-to-1
7132018$84,937219-to-1
7162017$83,215224-to-1
7082016$81,599230-to-1
7332015$78,169171-to-1