Dearest reader,
You asked for apples to apples.
After Lady B posted about ISD superintendent compensation, one request kept appearing in the comments and inbox:
"What do the other ISD superintendents make?"
Fair question.
So the ledger went statewide. 🪶
These five graphics cover Michigan's ISDs/RESAs, divided geographically simply so the information can actually be read without requiring a magnifying glass and a prayer.
But PLEASE read this part before running off with the numbers:
These are NOT 2026 salaries.
The superintendent names come from Michigan's Educational Entity Master (EEM), maintained by the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information.
Lady B then searched those individuals in OpenTheBooks and used the reported 2025 wage ONLY when the person could be matched to the corresponding ISD/RESA.
If that match could not be made, the graphic says:
NO MATCH.
Lady B did not substitute another employee.
Lady B did not guess.
Lady B did not grab a number from somewhere else just to fill the box.
And perhaps most importantly:
"2025 wages" does not necessarily mean "current annual salary."
A reported wage figure can reflect what was actually reported for that individual during 2025. Employment changes, partial-year service, payouts, timing, and other circumstances can affect what appears in payroll data.
So please do not take one of these graphics and say:
"This is what every superintendent makes in 2026."
That is NOT what this dataset says.
What it DOES give us is a statewide, consistently assembled look at reported 2025 wages for the people identified through Michigan EEM as ISD/RESA superintendents, where a corresponding OpenTheBooks record could be matched.
No cherry-picking one ISD.
No comparing a superintendent to the President, a judge, a governor, or your cousin Larry.
Just ISD to ISD.
Apples to apples. 🍎
And where the receipt wasn't there?
Lady B left the box alone.
With receipts and respect. 🪶
#LadyBudgetdown #MichiganSchools #MichiganEducation #SchoolFinance #PublicRecords #PublicPayroll #GovernmentTransparency #ISD #RESA #EducationSpending #FollowTheMoney #WithReceiptsAndRespect