Leyden CHSD 212 school district is under scrutiny as its superintendent, Nicholas Polyak receives a significant salary increase despite low student performance metrics.

Leyden CHSD 212 school district is under scrutiny as its superintendent, Nicholas Polyak receives a significant salary increase despite low student performance metrics. 

benefits and retirement enhancements is $431,326

That’s according to an analysis of Illinois school superintendent salaries by Wirepoints.

This decision comes amid concerns about the district’s academic outcomes and financial management.

Nicholas Polyak’s salary has increased by $84,000, according to Wirepoints. 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 20% of students in Leyden CHSD 212 are proficient in math, while 21% read at grade level. 

Chronic absenteeism among students stands at 47%, with 69% of teachers absent for more than ten days.

An exact future pension figure for Dr. Nick Polyak is not publicly available, as he is an active employee and his final pension will depend on his official retirement date and final contract terms.

However, because his compensation is a matter of public record under the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), we can estimate a projected range based on the system’s formulas. 

The Financial Data

• Current Base Salary: As of recent district disclosures, Polyak’s annual base salary is $310,000, with a total compensation package (including annuities and benefits) reaching almost $500,000.
• Historical Contract Growth: His 5-year contract structured scheduled annual flat raises of $10,000, bringing his base salary up

How the Pension is Calculated

Illinois TRS pensions for Tier 1 members are determined by a formula: 2.2% × [Years of Service] × [Final Average Salary]. [1, 2]

• Service Years: Polyak has been a superintendent since roughly 2009 (and at Leyden District 212 since 2013), with 27 total years of experience in education as of 2026. If he completes a full career of 34+ years to reach the maximum Illinois pension cap of 75%, his retirement annuity will be calculated at that max multiplier. 
• Final Average Salary: TRS averages the highest four consecutive years of salary within the final 10 years of a career. 

Projected Annual Pension

If Polyak continues to accumulate service years and retires at the maximum 75% formula tier based on his current salary trajectory:

• Estimated Annual Payout: He will receive an annual pension of approximately $232,500 to $240,000 upon retirement (75% of a $310,000–$320,000 average base salary). 
• Annual Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA): Under Tier 1 TRS rules, this base pension amount would automatically increase by 3% compounding annually every year after he retires.