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.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 7:19 PM EDT2013-06-12 23:19:12 GMT
Jurors in the involuntary manslaughter trial of a Detroit police officer have watched a demonstration of a stun grenade like the one used during a raid that killed a girl.
Jurors in the involuntary manslaughter trial of a Detroit police officer have watched a demonstration of a stun grenade like the one used during a raid that killed a girl.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:54 AM EDT2013-06-10 11:54:22 GMT
The auto industry is about to go on a hiring spree as car makers and parts suppliers race to find engineers, technicians and factory workers to build the next generation of vehicles.
The auto industry is about to go on a hiring spree as car makers and parts suppliers race to find engineers, technicians and factory workers to build the next generation of vehicles.
Thursday, June 6 2013 7:44 AM EDT2013-06-06 11:44:22 GMT
The TSA is abandoning a plan to allow passengers to carry small knives onto planes in the face of fierce congressional and industry opposition, the head of the agency said Wednesday.
The TSA is abandoning a plan to allow passengers to carry small knives onto planes in the face of fierce congressional and industry opposition, the head of the agency said Wednesday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:07:29 GMT
Mike Duggan says he will not challenge an appeals court ruling that he doesn't meet residency requirements to run for Detroit mayor, FOX 2's Alexis Wiley reports.
Mike Duggan says he will not challenge an appeals court ruling that he doesn't meet residency requirements to run for Detroit mayor, FOX 2's Alexis Wiley reports.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:22:54 GMT
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
