Chippewa Valley, L'Anse Creuse Superintendents Among Highest Compensated in Michigan

Editor's Note: The Mackinac Center for Public Policy acknowledged that some numbers in the superintendent database released last week may be incorrect. For instance, the center's figures show Utica Community Schools' superintendent as being the highest compensated in the state with a package of $300,789. But the Kalamazoo Gazette said that distinction might actually go to its superintendent, who has a total package worth $344,667 in 2012. MLive reported that the center's director said he’s received several phone calls from superintendents saying certain information is not correct.

The superintendents of school districts serving Clinton Township may not have the top salaries in the state, but those six-figure numbers combined with contract benefits make these positions among the highest compensated of their kind in Michigan.

According to a new database compiled by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, and using 2012 salary and benefit information provided by school districts throughout the state, the total compensation for Chippewa Valley's superintendent is $253,527, the 16th highest in the state.

While Ron Roberts' base salary is actually $180,804 – the seventh highest in the state – insurance, pension, annuity, travel and other expenses bring the lump sum to $253,527, according to The Mackinac Center.

Per his contract, due to expire June 30, 2015, Roberts also receives 30 vacation days.

"While compensation for superintendents only amounts to about 1 percent of public school spending, the public should have easy access to this particular information,” said Michael Van Beek, Mackinac Center director of education policy, in a press release. “As CEOs of districts and often the highest paid government employee in a local community, superintendent pay deserves an extra level of public scrutiny."

With 16,293 students enrolled as of 2012, Chippewa Valley is the eighth largest district in the state.

The superintendent of Utica Comunity Schools, the second-largest district in the state, earns the highest compensation in the state at $300,789.

See how other local districts compare:

• L'Anse Creuse Public Schools - $250,253
• Clintondale Community Schools – $224,926
• Fraser Public Schools – $192,356 
• Mt. Clemens Community School District – $184,048

Note: The numbers above represent the worth of each superintendent's total compensation package. Superintendents earn an average salary of $115,000 in Michigan, according to the database.

See the full database at http://www.mackinac.org/depts/epi/salary.aspx.