COOPERSVILLE, Mich. — The highest paid superintendent in west Michigan announced Monday that he is retiring, according to The Grand Rapids Press.
Kevin O'Neill, who has been superintendent in Coopersville Public Schools since 1998, is the second-longest serving schools chief in Ottawa County, The Press reported.
The Press also claimed that O'Neill's "highest-paid status came to light Tuesday." Michigan Capitol Confidential, however, reported Oct. 13 that O'Neill's total compensation of $311,034 is the third-highest in the state among school superintendents.
The Mackinac Center publishes both Michigan Capitol Confidential and Michigan Education Digest.
The Press reported that O'Neill earns more than Bernard Taylor, superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools, although Coopersville has less than one-third the number of students. O'Neill also makes more in base salary than the president of Grand Valley State University, according to The Press.
SOURCES:
Michigan Capitol Confidential, "School Board Prez Says State's 3rd-Highest Paid Superintendent
is 'Worth It'" Oct. 13, 2010
The Grand Rapids Press, "At $262,797 a year, retiring Coopersville superintendent is by far highest paid school chief in West Michigan," Oct. 20, 2010
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Capitol Confidential,
"$300k Superintendent Defends His Compensation," Sept. 25, 2010
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