A recent Lake Orion Review article presented information from the Mackinac Center for Pubic Policy in regards to salary, health Insurance and other benefits of public school teachers in Michigan along with some national comparisons. The following information provides similar information specific to Lake Orion teachers. For comparison, the figures for Michigan cited by the Mackinac Center in the previous article are indicated in parentheses.
Salary: The average teacher salary in LOCS is $64,000, rounded up; 50% of our teaching staff hold Master’s degrees and 34% have a Master’s degree +. (Michigan $62,000)
The average salary for others in our size referent group, districts size 5,000-9,000, is $65,394.
Of the 28 Oakland County School Districts, LOCS ranks 15th and 65th in the State.
The average annual across the board salary increase for Lake Orion teachers from 2003 to 2010 was 1.4%; 0% for 2009-10 and 0% for 2010-11. (Michigan 1.8%)
Insurance: LOCS is one of 21 of the 28 Oakland County school districts that have MESSA (Education Special Services Association) insurance. Noting that MESSA is a Pak, (medical, vision, dental, disability, life, prescription drug, etc.) the total cost for the district is $9.8 million or $1246 per student. (Michigan $1300)
MESSA rose 18.7%. This year, Lake Orion teachers began contributing 2.5% to the cost. (Michigan public school teachers 4%, private sector 21%, federal employees 25%)
Pension: Contributions to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) are mandated by the state. Per our annual audit, LOCS spent $7.6 million on pensions, or $961 per student. (Michigan $1500)
For the 2010-11 fiscal year, the MPSERS rate was 20.66% representing a 6.4% increase to Lake Orion from the previous year. For the 2011-12 fiscal year, the MPSERS rate has been set at 24.46%, which represents an 18.4% increase.
Other: LOCS teachers work 186 days per year for 7 hours and 45 minutes per day; the most hours of any district in Oakland County. Of the 28 districts, six others work 186 days, and only one works more than 186; however, none work the same amount of time. (Michigan average 185 days; private sector 245)
On the 2010-11 Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP), LO students performed above both the state and county averages at all grades and content areas assessed.
Students are assessed in grades 3 through 8 in Reading and Math, grades 5 and 8 Science, grades 4 & 9 Social Studies and grades 6 & 9 Writing.
— Info provided by Lake Orion Commun ity Schools Superintendent Marion Ginopolis. Thank you!