Column One: Administrators

Like countless school systems across the country, the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Public Schools are struggling with tight budgets brought on by the recession.

But that district's superintendent, Jeffery N. Grotsky, has taken an unusual step to help the bottom line. He donated back to the district, for use in educational programs, a 5 percent pay raise granted by the school board.

The Grand Rapids schools have had to make substantial budget cuts to close a projected $15-million deficit for the next school year, caused by declining revenues as well...