South Cook News

An Illinois school district is under scrutiny as its superintendent, Kevin J. Nohelty, receives a significant salary increase despite low student performance metrics. Dolton School District 148's board approved a $30,000 raise for Nohelty, bringing his salary to $480,000. This decision comes amid concerns about the district's academic outcomes and financial management.

The Lansing Journal reported that since 2019, Nohelty's salary has increased by $188,000. The raise highlights issues in Illinois' education system, including high property taxes and pension liabilities. "The near-$500,000 salary being doled out to a superintendent in a failing school district captures the absurdity that is Illinois governance," said Ted Dabrowski.

According to data from the Illinois Report Card and the Illinois State Board of Education, only 7% of students in Dolton are proficient in math, while 19% read at grade level. Chronic absenteeism among students stands at 47%, with 69% of teachers absent for more than ten days.

Dabrowski criticized the lack of accountability and called for reforms: "Nothing will change until we reject the malgovernance and then replace it with something more normal."

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