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.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:25:11 GMT
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
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.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:17:02 GMT
For the first time since the death under mysterious circumstances of hop music mogul Chris Lighty nine months ago, his grieving mother is breaking her silence.
For the first time since the death under mysterious circumstances of hop music mogul Chris Lighty nine months ago, his grieving mother is breaking her silence.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:52 GMT
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:25:20 GMT
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:21:42 GMT
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:43:35 GMT
Brian Woehlke and his family
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:28 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:28:15 GMT
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:17:02 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:02:09 GMT
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:59:19 GMT
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:14:08 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:30 GMT
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:46 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:46:25 GMT
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.
