Update: March 23, 4:30 p.m.
On the NBC25 facebook page, we asked if you think superintendents should take paycuts.
RevTimothy Mikula stated, "...no wonder our public schools are broke & in an mess worst of all its the students that suffer! SHAME ON THE SUPERINTENDENTS for robbing our children of their education..."
Crystal Ramon says, "I honestly don't know. If I were in there shoes I probably wouldn't want to. But I think that someone's pay should represent their work not job title. That goes for everyone."
Join the conversation and let us know how you feel about this. Also, let us know your ideas for cutting the budget.
Some MidMichigan public school superintendents make more than most governors.
So why are teachers being asked to take a pay cut?
That's the question the Michigan Education Association is asking.
The MEA tells NBC25 teachers are being asked to take a 5% pay-cut, then freeze it for three years, plus contribute 20% to their healthcare, which could mean losing $10,000 a year.
Consider this, among the highest paid governors across the country, New York tops the list at $179,000. Illinois comes in second at $177,500, and Michigan rounds out the top three at $177,000. However, Governor Rick Snyder is waiving the $177,000 salary and taking $1.
Now to some MidMichigan public school administrators, the Grand Blanc School district pays its superintendent $194,172 salary. Throw in benefits, and the total package is $277,394. The district has 12 principals or assistant principals that make more than $100,000, not including benefits.
The Harbor Beach superintendent, who is also the high school principal, makes $237,128.44 in salary and $300,167.15 in total compensation for a school district of around 600 students.
Superintendents tell NBC25 their pay is justified by the work they do. They say by paying less, there wouldn't be as many talented or qualified professionals.
However, some believe this is where school districts need to start saving money.
But Midland's Mackinac Center for Public Policy says while superintendent compensation should be reviewed by school boards, it's not the answer.
"Reducing those costs, you're not going to see a big impact on the state budget or on even local districts budgets," says Michael Van Beek, Director of Education Policy at the Mackinac Center.
The Mackinac Center says less than 2% of school budgets go to superintendents and that between 65% to 70% of the budget goes to those under teacher contracts.
The Michigan Education Association says it's not fair to balance budgets on the backs of teachers.
"There are current teachers working full time, first year teachers, that are below the poverty line in Lansing," says Ric Hogerheide, MEA UniServ Director, 1-D. He says teachers are easy targets, but that they should not be asked to continue to sacrifice.
In Genesee County alone there are three public school superintendents that make more than any governor of any state.
There are 21-public school districts in Genesee County, each with its own superintendent.
In West Virginia, there's one superintendent for the whole county.
Would this system work in Michigan?
Do you think it's a good idea?
