Elmhurst D205 Staff Growth Outpaces Enrollment

ELMHURST, IL – Over the last two decades, Elmhurst School District 205's faculty has expanded at four times the rate of enrollment, according to state data.

As of the 2025-26 school year, the district employed 651 full-time teacher equivalents. That's up by 36 percent from the 477 teachers in 2006, according to Illinois Report Card data submitted by the district.

Meanwhile, enrollment in the 2025-26 year was 8,209, up from 7,571 in 2006, a 9 percent hike.

For years, then-school board member Jim Collins pointed out how the number of teachers had gone up far more than enrollment. His position has gone unheard since he left the board last year.

During a presentation last week, the board was told that the district could "maintain our overall existing staffing allocation" for the second year in a row.

Officials did not say how many teachers would be employed next year. But if it's been the same level for the last couple of years, that means the number is around 650.

"We are mindful, of course, that staff compensation is any school district's largest budget item," said Joseph Schumacher, assistant superintendent of human resources. "We'll continue to invest where there is the greatest impact, and that is with our personnel."

Here is District 205's total number of teachers each year:

2025: 651
2024: 633
2023: 618
2022: 618
2021: 634
2020: 622
2019: 614
2018: 614
2017: 622
2016: 577
2015: 589
2014: 557
2013: Unavailable
2012: 516
2011: 530
2010: 538
2009: 530
2008: 507
2007: 492
2006: 477

Source: Illinois Report Card

Here is the annual enrollment:

2027: 8,219 (Projected)
2026: 8,240
2025: 8,209
2024: 8,285
2023: 8,240
2022: 8,164
2021: 8,319
2020: 8,563
2019: 8,573
2018: 8,599
2017: 8,499
2016: 8,436
2015: 8,449
2014: 8,188
2013: 8,176
2012: 8,138
2011: 8,054
2010: 7,991
2009: 7,905
2008: 7,757
2007: 6,621
2006: 7,571

Source: Illinois Report Card