Shortages Mean D-205 Salary Review Needed: Official

ELMHURST, IL — In light of labor shortages, Elmhurst School District 205 needs to take a comprehensive look at its salaries for employees, an official said this week.

At a school board committee meeting, officials noted District 205 is suffering some of the same shortages that districts across the country are facing with food service employees, teacher's aides and custodians. District 205 outsources bus drivers and nurses.

Last school year, the district laid off many of its food service employees because the pandemic sharply curtailed the need for their work. They returned months later.

"We tried to get them all back. Some didn't come back. Some retired," said Chris Whelton, the district's assistant superintendent of finance.

He said the district's food service director, Cheryl Spencer, is struggling with labor shortages, but is getting by.

"Everyone is struggling with how to respond to this labor shortage," Whelton said. "The board, the human resources department and the superintendent will all try to work on a comprehensive plan related to salaries for next year. That's what I'm thinking. I haven't really discussed this."

Board member Athena Arvanitis said she appreciated what Whelton said.

"We want to remain competitive," she said.

Board member Jim Collins said the U.S. labor market consists of millions more vacancies than job seekers.

"There is clearly an imbalance," he said. "The balance is slowly coming back. All we can do is wait and see."