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 24 2013 11:19 AM EDT2013-05-24 15:19:24 GMT
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:27 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:27:33 GMT
If you'd like to contribute to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts, FOX 2's Amy Andrews says you can drop off supplies at the Democratic Club of Taylor (23400 Wick Rd.) now through Sunday.
If you'd like to contribute to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts, FOX 2's Amy Andrews says you can drop off supplies at the Democratic Club of Taylor (23400 Wick Rd.) now through Sunday.
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 24 2013 11:19 AM EDT2013-05-24 15:19:24 GMT
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:15 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:15:15 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:27 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:27:33 GMT
If you'd like to contribute to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts, FOX 2's Amy Andrews says you can drop off supplies at the Democratic Club of Taylor (23400 Wick Rd.) now through Sunday.
If you'd like to contribute to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts, FOX 2's Amy Andrews says you can drop off supplies at the Democratic Club of Taylor (23400 Wick Rd.) now through Sunday.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:19 AM EDT2013-05-24 11:19:36 GMT
Michigan's public schools would get about 3 percent more and it's community colleges and universities about 2 percent more in overall funding next fiscal year under measures approved by Republican-led budget panels.
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Friday, May 24 2013 6:47 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:47:05 GMT
Jimmy Howard stopped 25 shots as the Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Thursday night in Game 4 of the second round series to put the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.
Jimmy Howard stopped 25 shots as the Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Thursday night in Game 4 of the second round series to put the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
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