Dearborn Superintendent's Compensation Ranks 48th in State

A new database compiled by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy shows Dearborn Public Schools' superintendent is earning $218,355 in salary and benefits.

The superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools may be well compensated—but not when compared to Michigan school districts of a similar size. According to a new database compiled by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, and using 2012 salary and benefit information provided by school districts throughout the state, the total compensation for DPS Superintendent Brian Whiston is $218,355. This includes a base salary of $170,000, plus a $36,678 annual pension contribution, $1,177 insurance and $10,500 annuity. He also receives 18 sick days and 28 vacation days per year. Michigan superintendents earn an average salary of $115,000 and average compensation package of $155,000, according to the database. "While compensation for superintendents …

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Gary LaPointe

1:17 am on Monday, February 25, 2013

I was just thinking about this more. In one of my districts, we didn't get all those breaks off, central office administrators got 2 days for Christmas and 2 days for New Year, one day for Easter break. In another district, we got many of those breaks off, but many people were still in on many of those days (but that one gave less vacation days). To be clear, while I live in Dearborn, I have not …   more ›

Letter to the Editor: Recognizing Dearborn's Board of Education

Superintendent Brian Whiston congratulates the work of the board during School Board Recognition Month.

January is School Board Recognition Month—a time to salute the hard work and dedication of our school board members. It’s an exciting and challenging time in public education and the theme, “School Boards Lead Strong,” reflects our board members’ commitment to leadership and accountability assuring that ALL students succeed. School board members in Dearborn develop policies and make tough decisions that help shape the future of our education system. They bear responsibility for an annual budget of $172 million, 19,155 students, more than 2,400 employees and 34 buildings in the Dearborn Public Schools.  They are citizens whose decisions affect our children, our students, and build our community. Our board of education, and the hundreds like…

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Dearborn Schools Opposing Move Into New City Hall—For Now

The city had hoped to apply for a competitive assistance grant through the state if the district and city offices were to merge their space.

As the City of Dearborn moves forward with plans to transition to a new city hall building by 2014, efforts to incorporate Dearborn Public Schools into that plan have stalled. More: City Discusses Design Elements of New City Hall Mayor Jack O'Reilly said in meetings last week that he had hoped to apply for a grant through the state's Competitive Grant Assistance Program, which rewards municipalities for mergers and partnerships with other cities and entities aimed at saving all parties considered significant funds. The grant would have provided up to $800,000 for the project. The deadline O'Reilly had hoped to reach for applying for the grant in regard to the city-schools location merger was Dec. 3. "If the grant comes, we have to decide …

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Dearborn Schools Supt. Urges Parent Action Against Education Reforms

A letter to the Dearborn community from Supt. Brian Whiston asks parents to consider speaking to legislators about their concerns with House Bill 6004 and Senate Bill 1358.

Key Communicators: Does this sound like a school district that needs to be overhauled, reformed, and taken-over by a state controlled board? I don’t think so, but obviously some legislators in Lansing do. If two bills, HB 6004 and SB 1358, currently sitting before lawmakers in Lansing are passed in the next few weeks school districts in the state could face drastic change that will have a devastating impact on our schools.  More: What do you need to know about proposed Michigan education reforms? More: Dearborn Board of Education responds to reforms These bills shift control away from local school board trustees that we elect and give a great deal of power to a single statewide school district known as the Education Achievement Authority …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Keep Kids Reading All Summer Long

Dearborn Superintendent Brian J. Whiston says summertime shouldn't mean a complete break from learning.

Name the best thing about summer vacation. Ask 10 different people that question and you will most likely get 10 different responses. For some, it’s a favorite vacation spot up north; for others it may be traveling to visit family; and for many more it’s simply being able to break the daily routine. School districts across the state are breaking the routine for about a 13 week period. As we do so, there is at least one routine we hope all students continue to make part of their day. READ, READ, READ! This year, at the elementary level, the district focused on a concept called Daily 5/CAFÉ. This framework for building better readers–and students who enjoy reading–needs to be reinforced over the long summer recess. One of the best predictors…

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Dearborn School Budget Cuts Will be Decided in June

The Dearborn Public Schools district will announce specific budget cuts at its June 13 meeting, but they won't include layoffs or school closures.

Dearborn Public Schools administrators outlined a challenging budget at their May 23 study session–but employees, parents and other interested individuals will have to wait until June 13 to find out what will be cut as officials try to abate a $3 million deficit. Bob Cipriano, the director of business services for the district, said his staff has been working on several proposals, and that no layoffs were expected as a result of the budget woes. Program cuts, however, could result in a loss of personnel. “We’re looking at a lot of things,” he said, adding that the district would also not close any facilities. The budget that will be up for a vote next month will be $161 million for the $18,500-student district, unless changes occur at the …

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