In this time of pay-to-play extracurricular activities, and ever-dwindling programs in some local schools, the pay stubs of many school superintendents may surprise you.
Some of metro Detroit's are among the highest paid in the state, according to a list of salaries released by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
The top-five Michigan districts with the highest compensation packages are Utica Community Schools at $300,789; followed by the Rockford district at $290,445; the Kalamazoo district at $280,469; the Farmington district at $277,875; and Wayne-Westland district at $273,875.
The Troy and Warren Consolidated districts also are among the top 10 in the state.
The Mackinac Center says while compensation for superintendents amounts to only one percent of public school spending, their pay deserves an extra level of public scrutiny. The reasoning? School superintendents are often the highest paid government employee in a local community.
"They're the figurehead of the school district," said Michael Van Beek, Director of Education Policy for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. "The public I think deserves to have easy access to this kind of information."
The Mackinac Center's database takes into account salary, insurance, pension, annuity, travel, other expenses. Sick days and travel days are also included in the report.
Van Beek says some may be surprised by the level of compensation, but with some district budgets reaching $100 million, the pay packages are comparable with that of a high-ranking private executive in charge of a similar budget.
While many school districts provide this type of information on their web sites, the Mackinaw Center's database makes it easy to compare superintendent pay across districts and counties.
Search your district using the link in the sidebar to the right.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:58 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:58:06 GMT
Gallery on the Boulevard is now open to the public. The restored 1918 residence, located in the Historic District of Pontiac's West End, is now home to wonderful works of art.
Gallery on the Boulevard is now open to the public. The restored 1918 residence, located in the Historic District of Pontiac's West End, is now home to wonderful works of art.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-15 17:36:38 GMT
A pair of osprey that made a nest on a power pole in Berlin Township, near the Rockwood Landfill will be getting a new home thanks to crews from DTE Energy.
A pair of osprey that made a nest on a power pole in Berlin Township, near the Rockwood Landfill will be getting a new home thanks to crews from DTE Energy.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:43 AM EDT2013-05-13 15:43:11 GMT
Hundreds of firefighters lined the streets in front of the Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn to bid farewell to 29-year-old Brian Woehlke, a Wayne-Westland firefighter killed last week in the line of duty.
Hundreds of firefighters lined the streets in front of the Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn to bid farewell to 29-year-old Brian Woehlke, a Wayne-Westland firefighter who was killed while crews battled a blaze at a Westland strip mall last week.
Monday, May 13 2013 10:13 AM EDT2013-05-13 14:13:39 GMT
Family and friends are gathering Monday to remember the life of Brian Woehlke, the 29-year-old firefighter who was killed last week while crews battled a blaze at a Westland strip mall.
Family and friends are gathering Monday to remember the life of Brian Woehlke, the 29-year-old firefighter who was killed last week while crews battled a blaze at a Westland strip mall.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:25 GMT
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.
