Comments on: AAPS Sets Superintendent Salary Range

By: Ann

Ann — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 01:46:05 +0000

Hear, hear, Sadie! I couldn’t agree more. I think a salary along the lines of $200,000 without all the bonuses and such they gave Dr. Roberts might be appropriate but above that is simply in bad taste. The Board is expecting staff to work more, shoulder more responsibility and take a pay cut. While I understand the 24/7, high pressure position that the Superintendent has, we are a relatively small district in an area with a fairly low standard of living. Once we set the bar at $245,000, it only goes up from there. And all this squabbling about reviewing the candidates only shows the public how much distrust there is among board members and the recruiting firm they hired. Why did they hire a recruiting firm in the first place if we were going to do the work ourselves? If the board wants to review the resumes, they should fire the firm and do their own search. Sounds like wasteful spending.

On a positive note, I’d like to commend the Board for their work in ensuring equitable practices across the district. They had tough questions for Huron and Pioneer last month that should not go unnoticed. I wish more energy was spent on this type of work, which is where the Board’s strength lies.

By: Sadie

Sadie — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 22:54:04 +0000

I am amazed. Each one of our teachers and custodians gave back a percentage of their salaries to the district because times were (and are) tough. Dr. Roberts leaves and the board instantly forgets the message he sent to them all- that everyone shares in tightening their belts. The staff did not sacrifice their salaries so that the superintendent position would get a raise. Until their pays can be reinstated, there should be no pay raises for administration. The arrogance of this school board decision is mind boggling. What a slap in the face to the AAPS employees who bargained in good faith, and who have been here, and will be here for years to come.

By: Vanessa Revelli

Vanessa Revelli — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:05:16 +0000

I am a parent of an AAPS student. My child was a Dicken 5th grader last year, not in “the” classroom, but across the hall. I would like to know why a letter wasn’t sent home to all families announcing that a survey was available. All parents should been given access to this. I again feel like I am being left out of important decisions that will impact my child. Does anyone know how people were notified a survey was online somewhere?

By: Lisa Dengiz

Lisa Dengiz — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:45:36 +0000

AAPS can and will get many excellent applicant without the ridiculously huge ( 40%) raise. And you’re right, School Muse, staff will point out the grossly high salary during the next round of negotiation.

You can also get rid of the high priced “consulting” firm who, by the very nature of their business, help drive up Superintendent salaries, and their own fees. These are lean times!!

Instead, hire a great LOCAL candidate, as they did in Saline. They seems quite satisfied with their decision. Surely AAPS has at least one administrator who has earned the right to do the job.

By: schoolsmuse

schoolsmuse — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:35:46 +0000

By setting this higher compensation, the school board is trying to ensure they get the best candidates.
However, I think the school board creates a bigger problem for themselves as well as for whomever they hire. I have no doubt that in the coming few years, she or he is going to be expected to try to negotiate with teachers, principals, clerical staff, etc. and ask them to give concessions.
So when the school board tries to say that there is no money, they can expect to be met with a good deal of skepticism.

By: John

John — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:53:09 +0000

What? A 40% higher compensation than Roberts? This is completely detached from reality. Yes, the Board’s work will be a whole lot easier if they can offer that much money. But Deb Mexicotte and Glenn Nelson are way off base if they think this is a reasonable approach given the funding problems facing the District. The reasons they offer for even entertaining such a salary are without merit.

By: Lisa Dengiz

Lisa Dengiz — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:39:29 +0000

It is folly and irresponsible to offer a Superintendent a salary in excess of 200K when this district is so small ( relative to the others compared) and losing many children to private charter schools.

Being Superintendent in AAPS is a plumb job, Ann Arbor is a culturally rich and exciting community in which to live, and this position clearly a great stepping stone to the next job!

Please remember: we really are in a recession and some of us are struggling to make ends meet.

My husband has had his pay cut by 20% ( after a 40 year career) and I fear we simply will not be able to afford to live here much longer because of these types of public excesses which affect our already too high taxes. Please be more sensitive to your long time supporters and constituents!

By: Stephen Landes

Stephen Landes — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:39:44 +0000

Our school board is in deep trouble if they agree with member Mexicotte that we can pay such an inflated salary for a superintendent. News flash: the job of superintendent may be the same no matter the number of students, but larger districts have a larger tax base and can afford to spend more. For the same reason I doubt any corporation looks at paying their CEO on this basis. We need some sanity in this district: our state is running on empty, we cannot raise taxes to pay for more government costs, and we all are learning to be more efficient, spend less, and live within our means. I strongly suggest the school board set an example by following the same practices.

By: Jennifer Coffman

Jennifer Coffman — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:50:27 +0000

Yes, Kathy. You’re correct– it should read “ethnically diverse.” Thanks for the catch!

By: Kathy Klinich

Kathy Klinich — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:47:06 +0000

I hope the second point of the profile was meant to be “ethnically diverse” rather than “ethically diverse”. We welcome diversity in Ann Arbor, but I believe we generally consider our community to be law-abiding.