Women account for 63 percent of the teaching force but only 8 percent of the total general administrative positions in downstate Illinois schools. Since 1950, women's presence in administrative positions has declined, especially in regard to the elementary principalship. Women administrators tend to be older, with more experience, and earn lower salaries than their male counterparts. When candidates for administrative positions are restricted to one sex, there is no way of knowing that the best person for the job will be selected. As part of responsible citizen behavior, school board members must take positive steps to ensure that Illinois schools are staffed by the most competent, qualified, and talented people. Selecting the administrators of Illinois schools is too important to be left to irrelevant factors like gender. (Author/MLF)