MORE REQUIREMENTS. MORE ADMINISTRATORS?

[Shadowninja]

Dearest reader,

Over the past decade, Michigan school districts have faced additional state and federal requirements.

More reporting. More compliance. More responsibilities.

But here's a question worth asking.

How many of those requirements actually mandated hiring additional central-office administrators?

I took a look at Michigan Department of Education guidance and state statutes covering roughly 2016 through 2026.

Here's what I found. 🔎

📌 SCHOOL SAFETY LIAISON (2019)

Districts must designate someone to coordinate school safety matters with state authorities.

Did the law require hiring another administrator?

No. An existing employee or qualifying contracted worker can fulfill the requirement.

📌 STUDENT DATA PRIVACY (2016)

Additional requirements governing student information and disclosure.

Did the law require another central-office administrator?

No dedicated position was identified in the provision reviewed.

📌 SCHOOL SAFETY REPORTING (2025)

Updated requirements for reporting school incidents and crime.

Did the law require another administrator?

No dedicated central-office position was specified.

📌 EDUCATOR EVALUATIONS (2024)

Changes to evaluation procedures, training, mentoring, and observations.

Did the law require another administrator?

No. These changes placed responsibilities on existing evaluators and administrators.

And interestingly, certain administrators who receive three consecutive effective evaluations may now be evaluated every TWO years instead of annually.

📌 LITERACY AND DYSLEXIA (2024–2028)

New requirements involving student screening, intervention, professional development, and literacy coaching.

Did the law require another central-office administrator?

No general requirement to add one was identified. Specific instructional support obligations do apply.

📌 SPECIAL EDUCATION COMPLIANCE

Federal IDEA requirements involve reporting, monitoring, and providing student services.

Did those requirements mandate additional central-office administrators?

No general requirement to add one was identified in the sources reviewed.

Lady B isn't suggesting that every administrative position is unnecessary. Nor am I suggesting that administrative workloads haven't increased.

But when a district expands its central office, I think taxpayers deserve to understand why.

Was the position required by law?

Was it created because existing staff couldn't reasonably handle the workload?

Or was it a local decision about how to organize district operations?

Those are fair questions.

Because additional requirements do not automatically equal additional administrators.

And as always, Lady B believes those decisions should come with receipts.

With receipts and respect,
Lady B 🕯�

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