A fair perspective on salary ranges cannot be gained without comparing the district’s numbers to others.
Last week, The Clarkston News listed the pay scales and salaries for various positions within the Clarkston School District. Comparatively speaking, Clarkston principals and Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts are paid higher then the state average and districts of similar size. However, their salaries are within range with other districts in Oakland County. The following is a breakdown of figures comparing Clarkston salaries to other school districts.

On the State level:
The average salary for elementary school principals in Michigan ranges from $76,803 to $80,081. In Clarkston, elementary school principals? scale goes from $86,422 to $96,849.
The average salary for middle school principals in Michigan ranges from $75,601 to $84,353. Sashabaw Middle School Principal Linda Foran’s salary is currently $98,198.
The average salary for high school principals in Michigan ranges from $77,713 to $87,485. Clarkston High School Principal Janice Meagher’s salary is currently $111,291.
The average salary for district superintendents is $104,288. Clarkston Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts? current salary is $142,000.

Other local districts:
Overall, Oakland County averaged higher than the state averages. Salaries for officials in the district fell within the range of other local school districts.
The Oakland County average for elementary schools principals ranges from $88,705 to $102,528 with specific examples being:
? Brandon $90,481 to $93,881
? Clarkston $86,422 to $96,849
? Walled Lake Consolidated $87,986 to $105,584
? West Bloomfield $85,444 to $107,534
? Farmington $98,796 to $113,616
The Oakland County average for middle school principals ranges from $92,436 to 106,604 with specific examples being:
? Brandon $94,636 to $98,036
? Clarkston $98,198
? Walled Lake Consolidated $92,385 to $110,863
? West Bloomfield $89,320 to $111,320
? Farmington $103,737 to $119,297
The Oakland County average for high school principals from $98,931 to $114,148 with specific examples being:
? Brandon $98,770 to $102,170
? Clarkston $111,291
? Walled Lake Consolidated $97,004 to $116,407
? West Bloomfield $96,918 to $120,982
? Farmington $108,924 to $125,262
The Oakland County average for superintendents salary is $144,725, with specific examples being:
? Brandon $126,000
? Clarkston $142,000
? Farmington $160,834
? West Bloomfield $164,278

Similarly sized districts
Approximately 8,000 students are currently enrolled in the Clarkston School district. When compared to disitrcts with similar enrollment numbers, Clarkston salary ranges averaged above all others.
Forest Hills in Kent County, which has approximately 8,475 students, has the following salary ranges:
? High school principals: $81,353 to $102,209
? Middle school principals: $81,353 to $89,605
? Elementary school principals: $85,850 to $89,382
? Did not report superintendent’s salary
Howell in Livingston County, which has approximately 7,889 students, has the following salary ranges:
? High school principals: $96,571 to $100,148
? Middle school principals: $85,841 to $90,133
? Elementary school principals: $83,695 to $84,768
? Superintendent: $134,238
West Ottawa in Ottawa County, which has approximately 7,760 students, has the following salary ranges:
? High school principals $94,247 to $105,622
? Middle school principals $83,414 to $93,841
? Elementary school principals $81,925 to $92,352
? Superintendent: $116,000

All figures from districts other than Clarkston were obtained from the 2005-06 Principal Contract Settlement Report and the Superintendent Contract Settlement Report from the Michigan Association of School Boards. Clarkston figures were obtained from the district’s communications department.
Averages did not include numbers from every district in each county because not every district reported their numbers. Clarkston’s figures were not included in either report.
None of the numbers reported included benefit packages. Look in next week’s issue of The Clarkston News for information regarding benefit packages and how they compare to other districts.