LIVONIA, Mich. — Livonia Public Schools, which has closed 10 buildings in the last four years and cut bus routes by 30 percent, gave Superintendent Randy Liepa a $50,000 raise Monday night, according to The Detroit News.
"We don't want to lose him," board member Daniel Lessard told The News. "He's one of the best superintendents in the state."
Liepa's compensation will jump to $199,400, The News reported.
Sharif Shakrani, co-director of the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University, told The News that, "It's not unusual for superintendents to earn around $200,000 to $250,000 a year, so I'm not surprised."
The Detroit News' research shows otherwise. The American Association of School Administrators says the average salary for superintendents in districts of between 10,000 and 24,999 students is $164,376. Livonia has about 16,000 students, The News reported.
SOURCES:
The Detroit News, "Livonia
board defends super's raise," Oct. 20, 2010
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Capitol
Confidential, "$300k Superintendent Defends His Compensation," Sept. 25, 2010
Michigan Education Report, "Professor says consolidation study misapplied his work," Sept. 7, 2010
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Plagiarism at MSU? You Decide," Aug. 24, 2010
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
Please consider contributing to our work to advance a freer and more prosperous state.