Schools
High Pay For Burr Ridge Superintendent
The official runs the tiniest district among 13 in the area. But he pulls in the biggest salary.
BURR RIDGE, IL – The superintendent of Burr Ridge School District 180 runs the tiniest among 13 districts in the area. But he makes the highest salary.
Superintendent Thomas Schneider's salary is $283,882, leading a two-school district with 432 students. His salary works out to more than $650 per student.
Schneider makes more than superintendents in Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Darien, Western Springs, La Grange and even the other district in Burr Ridge.
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Last week, the board for Hinsdale High School District 86 took grief when a 4-3 majority gave the superintendent a raise. Members of the audience objected to it.
Superintendent Tammy Prentiss, who was promoted to her position three years ago, now makes $264,257.
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Schneider has been in his position for a long time – 16 years. Still, his salary is on the high side for superintendents. In Elmhurst School District 205, with more than 8,000 students, Superintendent Keisha Campbell makes $225,000. She started a year ago.
Brian Barnhart, superintendent of Western Springs School District 101, has been on the job for two decades. He pulls in $282,244, a little under what Schneider makes. The district has about 1,500 students.
In an interview Thursday, Schneider said no one inquires about his salary.
"The board of education is responsible for watching out for the best interest of the district," he said. "They think it's money well spent."
Schneider was superintendent for the Willow Springs School District 108 for several years before coming to Burr Ridge.
"I run a $20 million enterprise," he said.
He plans to retire next summer.
Here's what area superintendents make and their enrollments:
Burr Ridge 180
Thomas Schneider
$283,882
432
Cass 63
Mark Cross
$180,000
778 students
Center Cass 66
Andrew Wise
$206,000
1,096 students
Darien 61
Robert Langman
$170,000
1,312 students
Elmhurst 205
Keisha Campbell
$225,000
8,319
Gower 62
Victor Simon
$236,340
887 students
Hinsdale 86
Tammy Prentiss
$264,257
3,979 students
Hinsdale 181
Hector Garcia
$273,763
3,606 students
La Grange 102
Kyle Schumacher
$168,750
2,989 students
La Grange 105
Brian Ganan
$185,000
1,258 students
La Grange Highlands 106
John Munch
$180,000
913 students
Lyons Township High School
Brian Waterman
$240,000
3,975 students
Western Springs 101
Brian Barnhart
$282,244
1,494 students
Sources: District compensation reports, Illinois Report Card
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