This chapter of "Principles of School Business Management" presents an overview of risk management for school districts. The chapter first discusses four fundamental elements of risk management: (1) identifying and measuring risks; (2) reducing or eliminating risks; (3) transferring unassumable risks; and (4) assuming remaining risks.…

Due process in employment practices is guaranteed to school employees to the extent that they have constitutionally protected liberty and property interests in their employment. This paper reviews the responsibilities of school business officials at every stage in the employment process, from the original application for employment through…

Increasingly, schools compete in an environment of limited resources. Sound public relations practices could serve as a vehicle to explain how the public's tax dollars are managed. This annotated bibliography focuses on public relations in schools with a special emphasis on the school business function. Over the last 5 years, seven journals were…

The Association of School Business Officials has focused on workshop programs that (1) provide general orientation to new subject matters, (2) reinforce and/or illustrate new techniques of established practices, and (3) provide a structured instructional learning environment. (MLF)

Self-insurance pooling programs are emerging among school districts due to the insurance market crisis. School business managers, therefore, have been attempting to avoid hostile carriers by adopting such programs. (CJH)

An alternative to school district protection during the current insurance crisis is self-insurance consolidation, which can eventually reduce premiums and enable needed tort reform. (CJH)

Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs) are submitted by school systems applying for the Association of School Business Officials' Certificate of Excellence. Reviewers of the CAFRs listed specific concerns under headings of presentation and persistent technical deficiencies. Advises school business officials of their responsibilities to…

Colleges and universities are saving their recyclables for collection, but paying less attention to developing markets for recycled materials. Institutions can help by purchasing recycled paper. Costs can be reduced through contract and consortium buying and user conservation measures. (MSE)

In addressing the Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Board, the National Association of College and University Business Officers' president urged the accounting standards boards to work together to establish a multiyear accounting research agenda for higher education. (Author/MSE)

In higher education institutions, decisions about spending patterns are established in the budget and executed by a diverse, decentralized group of institutional managers. To make the budget a vibrant management tool, each institutional constituency must view it as a document that helps advance institutional mission as well as a way to measure…

Institutional communication channels need to be clear so that administrators have the information necessary to make informed decisions whenever and wherever required. The secret is to treat the arrival of information--the good, the bad, and the neutral--in essentially the same way, and always thank the person who brings the news, regardless of its…

This chapter of "Principles of School Business Management" reviews the functions, procedures, and reports with which school business officials must be familiar in order to interpret and make decisions regarding the school district's financial position. Among the accounting functions discussed are financial management, internal auditing,…

The proper combination of computer hardware and software with database subscription services make online information retrieval available to enhance decision making in virtually all aspects of school administration. (MLF)

Only with careful planning can school business managers develop fixed asset information and good recordkeeping. Use of a simple inventory system and discussion with school districts already utilizing this system will assist planning. (CJH)

As many court cases demonstrate, insuring against punitive damages is a complex issue facing school districts. Districts should secure competent legal counsel when purchasing liability insurance that specifically covers all potential punitive awards. (12 citations) (CJH)