Ann Arbor school board responds to public outcry over $65,000 salary hike for new superintendent
Members of the Ann Arbor school board responded Wednesday night to criticism that followed their recent decision to boost the next superintendent’s salary range to about $245,000.
Board President Deb Mexicotte said trustees expect to attract a sitting superintendent from another district, and that person is likely to already be making about $200,000. In addition, she said, the increase in salary would help attract the best pool of candidates from a national search.
“This is not the time for a competent manager,” she said. “We need a visionary leader, someone who can bring perspective to Michigan’s climate and can address our ongoing concerns.”
The board took heat from the public after deciding at a Nov. 3 meeting to increase the base salary of the new superintendent to a level about $65,000 more than what former superintendent Todd Roberts earned.
Mexicotte said she would like to have an excellent superintendent for the next 10 years, despite the recent trend of superintendents leaving after four or five years. She said the likelihood of a raise during the next superintendent’s reign is small but the likelihood of a cut is great.
“I made the motion to set the salary with the next 10 years in mind,” she said.
During her report on the superintendent search, Mexicotte said the search firm hired to assist in the process advised the board that superintendent salaries have risen even as school districts’ budgets have been slashed in recent years.
Trustee Andy Thomas said some confusion has arisen over the way Ray & Associates, the search firm hired by the board, is being compensated.
School board president Deb Mexicotte
Thomas said he's heard speculation the board is paying the firm on a percentage of the new superintendent’s salary. The contract with Ray & Associates is for $21,000, plus reasonable expenses, and does not carry any compensation related to the superintendant’s base salary.
“The fee is a fixed fee and we … discussed this fully at open meetings,” he said. “The fee for the search firm is independent of the superintendent.”
Mexicotte emphasized trustees will be making all the decisions during the search for a new superintendent, and the firm is only assisting the board.
Trustee Irene Patalan attempted to put an end to rumors she said she's heard about how Ray & Associates gathers candidates for the board.
“I want to make it clear that Ray & Associates does not have a standing pool of candidates that is readily available,” she said. “It is a national search, and Ray & Associates has no idea who’s going to apply for this.”
Kyle Feldscher covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com.
Comments
AlphaAlpha
Thu, Nov 25, 2010 : 10:14 p.m.
It seems the traditional debate strategy which public employees have been using to try to justify their excessive pay levels, such as "We have valued experience", or "We have valued education", or "We can multi task", etc., have been exposed as the tired, old, sorry excuses they are. They may have a new debate strategy, as shown above: "Explain why a "public servant" shouldn't be paid that amount of salary? What's the appropriate amount and what is your basis for that number? Seems like Governor Christie's number is completely arbitrary and political. Is that the basis for establishing salaries in the public sector?" Perhaps the public employee who wrote those comments is providing a glimpse of their new strategy to avoid reducing the pay of public workers: 1. Avoid mention of the fact that the average public employee is paid 1.5 to nearly 2 times what their private sector peers earn. 2. Do discuss the rare cases where a public employee (higher profile or high level management?) may earn less than their private counterpart. 3. Ask a specious yet honest sounding question such as why shouldn't a public employee be paid some large amount? 4. Issue a mild intellectual challenge with more questions like 'How much is right? And why that much? 5. Offer an opinion, designed to sway the debate, as a factual statement ('Seems like'...'the bad guy's numbers are arbitrary and political') 6. Ask another specious question designed to leave the reader/citizen/taxpayer confused thus susceptible to persuasion that the public sector deserves ever higher pay. Interesting ideas. Easily exposed as false, but interesting.
AlphaAlpha
Thu, Nov 25, 2010 : 7:36 p.m.
"Then what is the appropriate amount?" The answer is a clever concept, foreign to some public employees: The appropriate amount is what the market will bear. Generally, that means starting approximately at the current wage. Regrettably, this concept is sometimes forgotten in government, where 'someone else', John Q Taxpayer, provides the money.
sh1
Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 7:41 a.m.
a2edu, add to that the money paid to force the resignation of a superintendent who advocated small classroom size.
a2edu
Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 9:36 p.m.
Ok... I can't stand it any more. Look, people, for the past two election cycles, NO ONE HAS CHALLENGED the standing board members. That's right... they've run UNOPPOSED. So we should all really just shut up or get involved. Secondly, we can't do anything about class size. We voted (or didn't) that option away when a small fraction of the A2 population voted for that unbelievable money drain called Skyline High School. So now in order to operate that building, teaching staff must be cut, ironically, upping student class size across the district. Our previous Superintendent, George Fornaro and Asst. Superintendent, Geraldine Middelton, gave us that disaster. And now, low and behold, they're both gone... living in different States, having left AAPS in financial ruin. I say this: Superintendents have cost us hundreds of millions of $$ unnecessarily. ( I won't even mention the multi-million dollar substitute lawsuit brought to us by yet another Superintendent.)
HaeJee
Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.
I have a hard time saying that this position does not deserve being paid this amount. They are leading our educational system, which will produce future leaders. However, the article fails to say how many employees AAPS has and total student body. What are the average salaries for this position countrywide in cities our size? How did the board come up with this figure? If the board is correct and the prior salary was too low, then we do need to become more competitive. I just ask, where is the transparency? Show how you came up with this figure or did the consulting firm advise the board? There is not enough information provided to support or disagree with the board's decision.
John Q
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 10:54 p.m.
"This why we can't afford to pay a superintendent more than $200,000.00 to go to meetings and talk on the phone." Then what is the appropriate amount? $50,000? $100,000? From how you describe the job, it doesn't require any particular skills at all. That must not be the person responsible for running one of the largest employers in the County with a budget far larger than most Washtenaw County private employers.
Kelly
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:28 p.m.
John Q....it is simple.....we can't afford it. The middle class is dependent upon salaries it derives from corporations. Corporations continue to not only decrease earnings to its employees, it also is taking away the jobs here in the good ole USA and sending them far away to the other side of the globe. Mean while......the corporations are dependent on sales from the USA middle class who now earn less and cannot afford the products they used to make. And in conclusion, government is dependent on the middle class for taxes since corporations no longer need to pay them in many sectors. Hence, we can't afford to act like the private sector that lives in the USA but only employees overseas. This why we can't afford to pay a superintendent more than $200,000.00 to go to meetings and talk on the phone.
John Q
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6:14 p.m.
"How insulting and insane that you and your members believe that a public servant should be paid a private, executive's salary." Explain why a "public servant" shouldn't be paid that amount of salary? What's the appropriate amount and what is your basis for that number? Seems like Governor Christie's number is completely arbitrary and political. Is that the basis for establishing salaries in the public sector?
Bronzie Boy
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 1:17 p.m.
Here is a visionary leader for you, Deb: The Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, under the pressure of the state's economic hardship, recently mandated that no PUBLIC SCHOOL superintendent earn more than $175,000. With this in mind, I will be sure to VOTE YOU OFF THE BOARD at the next election for your ridiculous waste of PUBLIC FUNDS. I am a public school teacher earning a meager $40,000. I must spend thousands of dollars annually to maintain my certification, and not one penny of this is reimbursed to me. In addition, our district just took a 3% pay cut on top of the 3% that the State of Michigan gave us. How insulting and insane that you and your members believe that a public servant should be paid a private, executive's salary. And please, folks, stop making comparisons to the salaries of anyone connected with sports. Shame, shame on you now and forever A2BOE! It is unfortunate that there is not more noise in this community over this outrage. Perhaps the doctors and lawyers in this community, living on their secure salaries, don't care that the rest of us have our tax dollars thrown about the district like confetti. Get a grip Ann Arbor and, in the words of Ralphie of the Christmas Story variety, "Wake up, Stupid!!".
AlphaAlpha
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 6:45 p.m.
If that's true, then perhaps you could buy those buildings for some pints, then reuse the materials to make new structures? Schools perhaps.
Tree Logger
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 6:32 p.m.
The society obscenity you allude to may also apply, but I did mean house.
AlphaAlpha
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 5:35 p.m.
"If they want a house, I hear there's some houses in Detroit being bartered for pints at local bars." I think you mis-heard the word 'house'.
Tree Logger
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 4:53 p.m.
AlphaAlpha has a point. The median salary for teachers nationwide of $40,000 a year is already excessive. As previously pointed out by him, the teachers here make over twice that! AAPS administrators make six figures, so we know teachers are as well - this is America, there is no disparity of wealth! Cut them down to $15k. Raise their health insurance deductible to the same. If they want to see a doctor, they can go to Mexico. If they want a house, I hear there's some houses in Detroit being bartered for pints at local bars. Somalians live in mud huts and eat mud cookies, so I think it's high time for these selfish, spoiled, entitled teachers to stop whining and eat their mud pie. At least we're so kind to offer them that. The savings can be used for superintendent raises and construction contracts. I actually own a large local construction business and I think it would be great for our community for me to make a lot of money rebuilding schools ten times a year.
AlphaAlpha
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 3:37 p.m.
"Who were they to think they could own a home or see a doctor?" Right! Especially when they are earning in the 92nd percentile of all earners. Earning 182% of the national average wage is just not enough...
Tree Logger
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 2:38 p.m.
Good! Who were they to think they could own a home or see a doctor? Greedy and arrogant!
AlphaAlpha
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 1:53 p.m.
"...I could only live with that if their wages were cut accordingly. " Stay tuned...it is inevitable.
sh1
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 1:15 p.m.
Tree Logger, that's some good satire ya got there.
Tree Logger
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 12:58 p.m.
AlphaAlpha, I could only live with that if their wages were cut accordingly. Those who believe themselves to be too good for poverty and misery have an entitlement complex. They need to be taught a lesson on just how much we care about our children and the next generation. Send the teachers to the soup lines!
Sallyxyz
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 11:50 a.m.
The new superintendent needs to deal with class size. The classes at all levels, elem, middle school and high school, are way too big. Some classes in the high schools are over 35 students, crammed into small rooms with backpacks all over the floors, making it impossible to even walk across the room, not to mention the desks and students jammed into each other. This is not an environment conducive to learning, even for the best students. In the elem schools, some classes are over 25 students, and also in very small rooms, with one teacher. In the middle schools, classes are 30+. There is no way one teacher can help all of these kids during the day, especially the kids who are falling behind. Not all students learn at the same pace, and many kids are simply not getting the help they need. At all levels, many students are slipping through the cracks of the system, not learning and not able to catch up, due to very large classes and not enough staff. Fewer teachers = larger classes. Fewer paraprofessionals = less individual help for students. Way to go, AAPS. Keep cutting staff and keep raising the salary of the superintendent!
AlphaAlpha
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 11:48 a.m.
"We should house teachers in giant mansion-sized dumpsters" Well. There is a helpful comment. Though it might be easier and more efficient for the teachers to have the option to reside in the mansion sized schools. How green would that be? And way cheaper for all parties involved! Just in rent and gas, the average teacher might save $15-25K per year. Thanks Tree Logger!
AlphaAlpha
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 11:39 a.m.
Local has a good idea which deserves repeating: "Why do we need a new one, just keep Robert Allen as in interim, pay him his salary and move on. Things are running now without a permanent superintendent." If the status quo works, let's keep it until it doesn't.
SonnyDog09
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 7:16 a.m.
These sorts of salaries made some sense when it was possible for a high school dropout to work on the line "down to da plant" and make six figures (with overtime). The world has changed. It is long past time for the school board to realize that. As I said in an earlier thread, average income in Michigan has declined 20%, so the new superintendent should be making 20% less, too. We keep electing these clowns. We get the government that we deserve.
Tree Logger
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 5:49 a.m.
AlphaAlpha has a point. What could possibly matter other than the ratio of income between workers and administrators? I'm tired of hearing people whine about "low standards of living" and being unable to feed their children. If they're really that hungry they could cut off their own arm, boil it in a pot, and feed them. Personal responsibility! We should house teachers in giant mansion-sized dumpsters and come by once a week to unload dump trucks full of peanuts for them to eat. No more pay for teachers! What would they spend it on? Drugs? Alcohol? Hookers? Teachers, unlike administrators, are immoral folk. Pay emboldens them to molest our children.
Tree Logger
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 5:29 a.m.
They should raise the superintendent's salary to 60 million a year. Then maybe they'd attract someone smart enough to enslave the teachers and balance the budget.
AlphaAlpha
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 11:01 p.m.
"What is the appropriate level of pay for a [public employee] with this level of responsibility? " This is such a great question. And it deserves to be asked for each and every taxpayer supported worker.
AlphaAlpha
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 10:58 p.m.
"Does anyone think that less than $200,000 is appropriate for the job of Governor? I hear a lot of people saying "this is too much pay!" Based on what? Your own pay? What is the appropriate level of pay for a person with this level of responsibility? " $200K is only twice the total compensation of the average Ann Arbor city employee. That's not enough. The best course of action would be to lower the city worker wage 50%, bringing it to just under the national average for private sector workers. Then, the governor will earn four times what the city worker does, a more appropriate ratio. Same cuts for most state workers.
AlphaAlpha
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 10:49 p.m.
"Do a careful check of the key people in Ray & Assoc and see what other businesses they own or invest in. I think you will find (it takes work) that they also have parts of other businesses that benefit when School Administrative salaries rise. I look forward to your digging out the rest of the story. " Goodness! Is this a whiff of a conflict of interest? Very interesting...
Jill S
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 5:10 p.m.
Can someone on the AAPS Board of Ed please just go ask Scott Graden from Saline Schools to come over? I bet he would do it for $200k!
Awakened
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 2:35 p.m.
You get what you vote for....
Dog Guy
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 2:15 p.m.
It's just tax money. Everybody's money is nobody's concern.
John Q
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 2:10 p.m.
"If the Governor of Michigan makes less than $200K along with all the others, how does a Superintendent of a school District justify $245,000? " Does anyone think that less than $200,000 is appropriate for the job of Governor? I hear a lot of people saying "this is too much pay!" Based on what? Your own pay? What is the appropriate level of pay for a person with this level of responsibility?
Elizabeth Nelson
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 1:29 p.m.
Among these comments, I haven't read anyone else point out a thought that I had: this reasoning for the high salary acknowledges that we plan to 'poach' an administrator off of another district, someone who is willing to leave a job and district where they are (presumably) successful, strictly for more cash elsewhere... yet we're looking to hire an administrator who would plan on remaining with the district for the long-term future. Am I missing something? Is this really an auction where we can only 'win' by being the highest bidder? I don't have a strong opinion about whether the numbers are high or not, but the reasoning stated doesn't make too much sense to me. Other posters who suggest that Roberts left just for more money are incorrect: he was in a unique situation where that job in NC was an opportunity to move closer to aging parents and other family. He wasn't just chasing dollar signs.
DonBee
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.
@Kyle Feldscher - Do a careful check of the key people in Ray & Assoc and see what other businesses they own or invest in. I think you will find (it takes work) that they also have parts of other businesses that benefit when School Administrative salaries rise. I look forward to your digging out the rest of the story.
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 12:16 p.m.
@charis - Ray & Associates is not getting paid based on a percentage of the salary of the new superintendent. As stated in the article, the contract is for $21,000 plus reasonable expenses. There were search firms who were considered that did get paid a percentage of the new superintendent's salary, but Ray & Associates was not one of them
charis
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 12:13 p.m.
glacialerratic may have erred in quoting the Rhino Tiems, but he/she is right on in saying that Ray and Associates are the ones who gain by keeping these salaries artifically high. They get a percentage of the salary of every one they place. That salary is ridiculous. I certainly hope that more people will pay attention to the Board of Education elections. There wasn't even anyone running against the incumbents in Nov. We can't get rid of them that way.
hereandnow
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 11:30 a.m.
If this is necessary (and I'm not convinced it is), let's set some performance goals and condition the extra $65k upon demonstration of performance and attainment (or at least great strides toward attainment) of those goals.
glacialerratic
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 10:14 a.m.
Rhino Times is indeed pretty bad, but the quotation this article cites by Newman, the representative of Ray & Associates, where he tells the local NC board of ed that local complaints are inevitable should be ignored, appears to be accurate and echoes the very position Newman took at the study session here in Ann Arbor where the $245,000 salary "range" was approved by the BOE. Sorry about your cousin!
Trouble
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
$265,000... Mary Sue Coleman laughing at you!
Sam
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 9:55 a.m.
It is time to privatize education. All education.
Carole
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 9:41 a.m.
For sure I have to agree with CynicA2 -- Deb Mexicotte clearly needs to be replaced on the board. The requested increase for the new superintendent is totally out of line. This goes right along with the huge raise for the Bus Director -- while many lost their jobs, the management saw an increase. Frankly, I would love to see the job description for the superintendent -- in my ten years working with AAPS, the only superintendent I saw at my school was Dr. Roberts -- it is sad that he is leaving because for sure he mixed well with all employees of AAPS.
Top Cat
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 9:25 a.m.
One more reason why parents should have options and be empowered, if they choose, to opt out of the government run education monopoly.
Elizabeth Nelson
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 9:16 a.m.
yikes... @glacialerratic, I can't believe you're citing the Rhino Times?! Egad... few people here probably have any clue what that is, but it's like a much more amateurish, local-NC-spin on Fox news (i.e. an aggressively misleading, irresponsible muckraking rag of a "news" source); its like a written version of Rush Limbaugh idiocy. I've had issues of that "publication" foisted on me from its beginning because my cousin founded and runs it. Truly an embarrassment.
Linda Peck
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 9:05 a.m.
Nay to this money! We have plenty of competent people here in the Washtenaw County area that would be great at this job. We don't need to bring in anyone from outside who would be attracted by this stupid amount of money. Enough! Hire from our town! We have talent here!
Snehal
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 8:58 a.m.
Does this come with a penalty if the schools fail to perform due to lack of or wrong "vision" of the person? If you want to reward ahievements then start penalizing failures equally.
ViSHa
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 8:41 a.m.
good points by glacialerratic about the study session vs. board meeting. i wonder what other decisions are made during study sessions? also, i agree with AMOC about doing this strategic planning before hiring their visionary. are they really looking for a visionary or someone who will implement their updated strategic plan? while this salary seems excessive when the person hasn't proven themselves, i imagine enticing someone to move to Michigan in this economic climate may be difficult and money would work as an incentive, but because of the way this is being handled, whoever comes in will be held under a microscope. as to the interim superintendent---is he still not interested, or has this new salary announcement given him pause to rethink his decision?
Kelly
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 8:33 a.m.
The inappropriate salary of the sports staff in no way should be justification for the inappropriate salary of the superintendent. Couch, you'll be making what the instructors for college biology make at the community college (you know the class that preps a majority of our medical professionals?), around $4,000.00 per season (semester for the instructors). This post in response to "crayzee": "I read this article, and felt that I was in agreement with the general tone of the comments, until I read this: http://www.freep.com/article/20101118/SPORTS07/101118067/1319/Izzo-gets-a-big-raise-from-MSU This really puts things in perspective for me. The BASKETBALL COACH, who is responsible for the sports-playing ability of about 12 young men, is getting a $500,000 raise. Our superintendent will be responsible for the education and growth of thousands of children."
Julie
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 7:36 a.m.
If salary concerns are farmost on the mind of the candidate, we probably have the wrong candidate. It would be beneficial to have a superintendent who has dedicated his life to children in public education and not his pocket book.
greymom
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 6:52 a.m.
Personally it is not the whole board that needs to go, just those that voted to give all this money!!! You took huge pay cuts from the little people in the District and most have to work a second job because we gave all this money to increase the Superintendents pay, plus you said some Managements positions would be eliminated but only to have both folks that retired, those jobs have been filled. Plus some of those that had retired are back as a Temp in Management. I took 15% in total, now I want to see all of upper Management do the same in support of the District, like we did!! People have lost values and morals, and simply have stopped caring, as most of the Board has done. Remember three voted NO, lets appoint one of them President, they have there *^%$ together!
alfonso
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 6:03 a.m.
"Less or more" is it Kyle? What chance does the board now have in paying less than what the board itself authorized? To do so would be to admit that the candidate they have settled on is not as good as they want. Any candidate worth his or her salt will have a lawyer and the lawyer will get it all, and likely more given Deb Mexicotte's ridiculous public statement. Mexicotte has risen beyond the level of her own incompetence has has to be recalled.
CincoDeMayo
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 2:36 a.m.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost and Kyle Feldscher - Why correct whodat when he sees things that are not there? He is a visionary! (considering what Deb Mexicotte says she is looking for in a candidate, this is meant to be funny - it is not a personal attack on whodat - it is pointing out - okay making light of - sought after qualifications in the potential candidates)
CincoDeMayo
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 1:47 a.m.
And Edward R Murrow's Ghost and Kyle Feldscher - How dare you criticize whodat for seeing a phone in Deb Mexicotte's hand. He is a visionary!
CincoDeMayo
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 1:46 a.m.
Quoting from the article: This is not the time for a competent manager," she said. Really?? I'd like to see someone competent in the position. I imagine that it is difficult job - especially in Ann Arbor, but there is no way getting around that this salary ("range") is out of line for our situation right now. And, again, money is not the sole motivator for many, many qualified candidates. I'd like to see the BOE bring some perspective to this situation considering "Michigan's climate". Someone talked about the superintendent possibly saving us money...that would be great! IF my work gave me back half of what I save them, I would have a 36% raise. Let's see the savings FIRST and then give some of it back in the salary. If an extraordinary job is being done, then definitely increase the pay in accordance with the work. I am sure the superintendent has some impact on the level of education the students receive, but really, it is the teachers that have a direct impact on the students. I am not anti-union, but they do have a huge problem with not being able to weed out the bad. I always think of it as them preferring to let 10 guilty get paid, than to have 1 innocent lose their job...
walker101
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 1:12 a.m.
If the Governor of Michigan makes less than $200K along with all the others, how does a Superintendent of a school District justify $245,000? Sounds more like City of Bell California, another corrupt system at work.
MI-expatriate
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 1:07 a.m.
Didn't even read the comments - this is just appalling and unacceptable. Rick Snyder, you are on this same page stating that you are going to make the tough cuts. I think this would be a good start.
denise1inaa
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 1:01 a.m.
TOO MUCH MONEY for this position. The arguement that this position is a fraction of budget? Bull. Need money to attract high quality personnel? Bull. Well qualified people are underpaid for their job descriptions? I guess that is not true for the future superintendant. Too bad it is not true for teachers.
Erich Jensen
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 12:17 a.m.
Outrageous salary increase for a position that doesn't seem to be filled very long or by great candidates anymore. Look at the number of superintendents we have had in the last 10 years. Is it really about the money?
AMOC
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 12:07 a.m.
If the School Board is looking for a visionary new superintendent, why on earth are they also planning to go through the huge effort and expense needed to update their Strategic Plan BEFORE the new Superintendent is selected and in place? Shouldn't we wait to see what kind of vision this highly paid, inspirational leader will bring to bear saving our schools before we spend even more money developing a detailed plan for the next 5-10 years of his or her hoped-for tenure? C'mon BoE, you need to be more careful stewards of the considerable resources that AAPS has been given by the taxpayers of our community.
AMOC
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 12:07 a.m.
If the School Board is looking for a visionary new superintendent, why on earth are they also planning to go through the huge effort and expense needed to update their Strategic Plan BEFORE the new Superintendent is selected and in place? Shouldn't we wait to see what kind of vision this highly paid, inspirational leader will bring to bear saving our schools before we spend even more money developing a detailed plan for the next 5-10 years of his or her hoped-for tenure? C'mon BoE, you need to be more careful stewards of the considerable resources that AAPS has been given by the taxpayers of our community.
robyn
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:56 p.m.
You really can't compare the salary of a college coach to a city school superintendent. Now if people in Ann Arbor want to begin paying tuition for their kids to attend the school (with no promise that they'll actually get in) and Ann Arbor begins recruiting the best athletes from around the country to play for them, imagine the ticket sales... You can compare all you want.
Mark Wilson
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:55 p.m.
If we're looking for a visionary, there's one available. Michelle Rhee. Rhee resigned recently from the position of chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools. Read her profile on wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Rhee
DonBee
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:35 p.m.
Thank you AAPS BOE for putting the renewal of the county wide special education millage at risk. Well done!
crayzee
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:19 p.m.
I read this article, and felt that I was in agreement with the general tone of the comments, until I read this: http://www.freep.com/article/20101118/SPORTS07/101118067/1319/Izzo-gets-a-big-raise-from-MSU This really puts things in perspective for me. The BASKETBALL COACH, who is responsible for the sports-playing ability of about 12 young men, is getting a $500,000 raise. Our superintendent will be responsible for the education and growth of thousands of children.
Frank D
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:57 p.m.
We in the private sector have all taken our pay cuts, now it's time for the public sector.
Mick Jones
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:54 p.m.
Deb Mexicotte and this board need to go come next election.
Kyle Feldscher
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:49 p.m.
@Alfonso It's actually not speculation. Here's a direct quote from Trustee Christine Stead last night: "We are setting a target range, the final number could be less or it could be more." Stead also said that putting the salary range into the announcement was a recommended move by Ray & Associates and that it is a normal part of the process.
John Q
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:47 p.m.
What is typical compensation for a person who oversees a private corporation with the number of employees and budget comparable to AAPS? More? Less? Seems like some people want it both ways. They want to pay public sector employees less when they make more than the private sector and less when they make less than the private sector.
ohyeahman
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:31 p.m.
This raise is a tiny faction of the AAPS budget, and is likely to attract a high quality superintendent who will find ways to save the district significantly more money than this. The fact that many people are underpaid for their work does not mean that we should invest less money in education. The way people are talking you would think that the new superintendent will be making seven figures. This is a reasonable salary increase that will most likely save money in the long run.
denise1inaa
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:18 p.m.
My well educated husband did 29 years in engineering at Parke-Davis/Warner-Lambert/Pfizer Global Research and his top salary was roughly $100,000 when he left. What the... heck goes with this salary for this position? I bet you could find a candidate equally qualified to work for less.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:11 p.m.
This is a good example of a public leader being "tone deaf" because they have an agenda that is totally divergent from the masses. Well Deb, hear this...please plan the next year or so as your final membership on this board.
tmo
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:05 p.m.
In another AA.com story today, Mexicotte complains about state funding not coming back to AAPS. And the week before they vote to raise the Superintendents salary by 36% to a quarter million. Are they expecting sympathy? You knew the Board would hope our memories are short, but really... http://www.facebook.com//#!/pages/AAPS-Board-of-Education-Recall/145927015455384
Otto Mobeal
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:02 p.m.
I think the new Super is getting everything he deserves - working for the Board of Education. GoodLuck!
local
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 9:01 p.m.
Why do we need a new one, just keep Robert Allen as in interim, pay him his salary and move on. Things are running now without a permanent superintendent. Funny to think about!!
alfonso
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:57 p.m.
Kyle Feldsher's comment to @Joe is pure speculation. The board's decision to pay "up to" $245,000 shows a contempt for the taxpayers. What candidate will settle for less than what has been authorized? How incredibly stupid to make that announcement. Everything is negotiable in labor law but you never announce your position in advance. Bonehead move.
jcj
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:49 p.m.
@huronbob What a lame old argument. I agree athletes make too much money. BUT I have a choice as to whether I will support them or not! Explain to me what my options are concerning my tax money going to an overpaid superintendent that will in all likelihood be gone within 5 years. And Our kids will be NO better educated when that time comes than they are now!
Kyle Feldscher
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:43 p.m.
@whodat That's not a cell phone, she just has her hand near her ear.
whodat
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:25 p.m.
Also, where/when was the photo of the board member taken? At a board meeting? Because I would hope that our elected officials are handling BUSINESS during meetings and not talking on their cell phones.
whodat
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:24 p.m.
This is completely unnecessary. Most superintendents make, in total compensation, around $120k (at least in SE Michigan). Is the job difficult? Yes. Are there many responsibilities? Absolutely. However, it is also the trend in SE Michigan to hire attorneys and have HR Directors. I hope the Superintendent brining home this paycheck will handle all HR and labor relations (ie. contract bargaining) on his or her own rather than pay an attorney or other outside party for this work. This salary is excessive - it borders on disgusting.
dotdash
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 8:04 p.m.
It seems an odd strategy not to try to get someone at a lower salary. All the candidate has to do is google this article and they will know exactly how high the board is willing to go. From outside academic administration, it is hard to believe that the next superintendent would require a $65,000 raise over what the current one was willing to work for. Surely there must be some up-and-comer who has a vision without huge salary demands? Why are we going for an established (expensive) voice if what we want is vision?
townie54
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 7:45 p.m.
thats fine bruno if they were allowed to boot the teachers out that just go through the motions and reward the good teachers.But the unions wont allow you weed out the useless ones which is the biggest problems with unions.
stunhsif
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 7:40 p.m.
Gotta love it, insanity prevails in A2. You get what you vote for!
sh1
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 7:08 p.m.
bruno-uno, this is the teachers' fault how? I missed the connection.
bruno_uno
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 7:07 p.m.
each teacher should be making 200,000 a year, this position should be at least double that. i think 400,000 is closer to the real worth of this valuable position for our children...go unions!!!! go teachers!!!! sorry taxpayers but they deserve it!!!!
YpsiLivin
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:51 p.m.
Mick52, It actually sounds like the ad will say "Competent managers need not apply."
csst380
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:44 p.m.
Hey its just A2. Finding more ways to overtax more of its citizens and businesses for no reason. Libs will cave in and cry later. Have fun folks. more Ypsi students will transfer in and get around the system anyways.
glacialerratic
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:35 p.m.
Simply unbelievable. To repeat from an earlier posting to another article, take a look at the Ann Arbor Chronicle story (http://annarborchronicle.com/2010/11/07/aaps-sets-superintendent-salary-range/). At the Board "study session" where the motion was approved to set the next superintendent's salary at $245,000, William Newman of Ray & Associates, the search firm, "challenged the board to address the public perception directly, and acknowledged that many people in the community will be surprised by the number, thinking, How can somebody be worth three, four, ten times what I make?' Still, Newman said, the market for superintendent salaries has held up even though many districts are making significant cuts. He counseled that the public outcry happens in the opposite direction as well, when a really good superintendent leaves the district for a larger salary elsewhere. To repeat: the reason that the market for superintendent salaries has held up is in large part due to the influence and work of firms such as Ray & Associates, which recommendand directly benefit fromlarge increases in base salary. Search firms contribute to the frequency with which superintendents move from position to position and their fees, fixed or not, benefit from this upward movement in salary. Take a look at a report in the Greensboro, NC, paper (March 10, 2008), which reported pn Newmans presentation to the Guilford County (North Carolina) Board of Education: "Newmansaid the county will have to pay enough to prevent another school district from hiring away the new superintendent. He said the school board should not worry about public reaction to the salary, because it would get a stronger negative reaction if it couldn't find a superintendent or lost one quickly to another district. "Your community will always react to the salary," Newman said. "So what?"' http://greensboro.rhinotimes.com/Articles-c-2008-03-07-175420.112113-School-Board-Haggles-With-Headhunters.html The Board did not meet its due-diligence responsibilities before they hired the search firm. And they bought the snake-oil this firm is selling. Some questions: as a procedural point, how can the Board vote on anything, let alone the next superintendent's salary "range," in a study session and not in a regular meeting? More substantively, since Roberts was hired from an assistant superintendent's position, and since many agree that he was one of the most effective persons to hold this office in recent years, why is the Board seeking to recruit a sitting superintendent? Doesn't it make sense to identify rising talent and benefit from their energy and ambition? Mexicotte's comments show that the Board is heeding Ray & Associates standing advice (ignore the public outcry, it will fade) and not paying attention to the many serious questions that their decision has raised.
Mick52
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:33 p.m.
Well, well, well, here we go again: We need a visionary leader, someone who can bring perspective to Michigans climate and can address our ongoing concerns. Tell us Deb, give us some examples of what a visionary leader with perspective might do? Please give us some examples of visionary perspectives a leader might possess and how you will declare a candidate "visionary?" Are you going to put that on the job description? "Non-visionaries with low perspective need not apply." A couple years ago a parent attended a local board meeting on budget problems and reportedly said, "You just need to come up with new, innovative and creative ways to balance the budget." Thank you Ma'am please pony up some examples of innovative and creative budget balancing. Maybe someone from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will apply.
bs
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:28 p.m.
heh... Perhaps some of you would like to wander over to the sport news section and complain about how much professionals make in THAT field. But, wait, I forgot, playing a few games a year is MUCH more important than educating our children...
joe average
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:27 p.m.
@Kyle: As evidenced, indeed. Thanks for the reply!
Jim Clarkson
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:16 p.m.
So the new superintendent will make as much money a year as the President of the United States? Seriously? Really!
Hillbillydeluxe
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:15 p.m.
when you are the top person in charge and work 60+ hours a week, with the proper education the pay from my experience sounds appropriate.
bruno_uno
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:14 p.m.
this job is maybe 100,000 max in the private market. kudos, teachers, our unions will continue to show michigan who is boss. may the public whimper and weep, unions are here to stay!!!
Kyle Feldscher
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:12 p.m.
@Joe As evidenced by the language, the salary posted is in the "range of $245,000." This is simply giving candidates an idea of what the starting salary will be around. The final number will be negotiated between the board and the new superintendent before the hire is officially made.
Kelly
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:11 p.m.
This salary goes way beyond what should be given. What in the world will the new superintendent being doing that more than $100,000.00 will be necessary? Why in the world should the manager be making this much more than the teachers and other staff members? Won't they mostly be in meetings and on the phone? Not too many hazards there. Aren't Ann Arbor Schools supposed to be one of the best in the nation? Shouldn't be that hard to step into a "great" school district and just keep it "great". We supposedly have superior universities and colleges here in Washtenaw County. If that is true, why in the world do we need to look beyond our own county for the level of talent necessary to carry Ann Arbor Schools through the next decade? Rarely do college professors make anywhere near $100,000.00 per year. I'm sure at least one that is overly qualified would be willing to take this sort of a pay raise to step in to the leadership role of this "great" school district. Sorry students and tax payers. You all loose....again.
joe average
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 6:10 p.m.
I'm unclear on something: Is this salary increase a done deal, or is there some mechanism by which we reasonable people can act to rescind or alter this decision? Please advise./
USRepublic
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 5:51 p.m.
Can you smell a quota dolly on the horizon? Everyone else in this country is making less do more and Mexico has the gall to shove this increase down our throats?
CynicA2
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 5:39 p.m.
This Deb Mexicotte clearly needs to go come next election - clearly clueless. We don't need any public officials seeing "visions" either. Someone with both feet firmly on the ground will do just fine, thank you. Visions tend to be very costly and are frequently delusional, to boot. Buh-Bye Deb!