Salaries for the 2025-26 school year approved last week for 24 administrators by the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 Board average $148,617, ranging from $96,424 to $312,301.
School building administrators include the district’s nine principals, assistant principals at both Hinsdale Middle School and Clarendon Hills Middle School, and three pupil service administrators. The remaining 10 new salaries approved were for staffers working at the district level.
The top salary is for Superintendent Hector Garcia, whose salary will be $312,301 for his final year at District 181, before he retires. He was hired in February 2018 and was paid $235,000 for his first year.
At the low end of the administrators’ salaries is the district’s director of communications and safety, Jeffrey Alstadt, at $96,424.
Alstadt said the district conducts administrator salary studies every three years to ensure that all administrative positions remain competitive within the market.
“As one of the highest-performing districts in the State of Illinois, District 181 recognizes the critical importance of having exceptional leadership at the administrative level,” he said. “District 181 is committed to attracting and retaining highly qualified professionals, while maintaining a strong focus on responsible fiscal management within our defined budgetary framework.
“Certainly, competitive salary packages play a role in the district’s recruitment efforts, but it is the vibrant school culture, our exceptional students, and the dedication of our staff that truly set us apart and enable us to attract top talent.”
For determining annual salary increases, Alstadt said District 181 uses its administrator salary studies to maintain competitive compensation for all administrative positions and then follows the Consumer Price Index for subsequent years.
Approved 2025-26 administrators’ salaries:
Erick Jones, assistant principal, Clarendon Hills Middle School: $116,343
Ronald May, assistant principal, Hinsdale Middle School, $128,466
Mindy Bradford, assistant superintendent of business and operations, $204,895
Gina Herrmann, assistant superintendent of human resources, $192,194
Kathleen Robinson assistant superintendent of learning, $207,810
Erica Ekstrom, assistant superintendent of student services, $166,658
Kristin Reingruber, director of assessment, instruction and evaluation, $142,964
Jeffrey Alstadt, director of communications and safety, $96,424
Michael Duggan, director of facilities, $123,104
Catie Norton, director of financial services, $118,055
Matthew Kunesh, director of technology, $129,189
Levi Brown, principal, Clarendon Hills Middle School, $155,480
Sara Olson, principal, Elm School, $154,083
Cory Burke, principal, Hinsdale Middle School, $142,241
Barbara Shanahan, principal, Madison School, $138,067
Erin Eder, principal, Monroe School, $130,253
Effey Nassis, principal, Oak School, $136,854
Kristin Cummings, principal, Prospect School, $147,858
Brandon Todd, principal, The Lane School, $153,399
Eric Chisausky, principal, Walker School, $153,238
Kylee Nosalik, pupil service administrator, Clarendon Hills Middle/Prospect School, $103,906
Michelle Nugent, pupil service administrator, Monroe School/The Lane School, $102,835
Christopher Reid, pupil service administrator, Hinsdale Middle School, $110,194
Hector Garcia, superintendent, $312,301
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
