To convince voters to approve a school tax increase, school board members need to do the following: (1) show a fiscally tight and well-organized school district; (2) show the public that you care; (3) show a sense of personal and board conviction; (4) explain how decisions have been reached; and (5) educate the public about school issues. (MLF)

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives employees the right to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave a year for medical or family reasons. Provides key provisions of FMLA as they apply to schools and advises districts to consult school attorneys to help ensure compliance with the act and with the interim regulations issued last summer. (MLF)

When Issaquah (Washington) superintendent, after battling a brain tumor, entered the hospital for the last time, school district had to develop a crisis plan to deal with the possible death of the superintendent. A contingency planning team developed a telephone tree for school officials to keep in close contact with teachers and administrators.…

Describes how the Victor Valley Union High School District (California) established an assessment center to help select a superintendent. School superintendents can be selected through the use of role-playing exercises that test their ability to handle the difficult responsibilities of the superintendency. (MLF)

A long-range planning project in an Ohio school district involved setting up good procedures for planning and then establishing a 40-member planning committee that included 20 community members. Long-range goals serve as a focus for decision making in everyday administration. (MLF)

Begins with a brief review of scientific research on adverse health consequences caused by smoking, then examines the school district role in balancing competing interests of smokers and nonsmokers. States that school districts have a financial and moral obligation to reduce potential health risks and legal liabilities (148 references) (MLF)

A strong board-superintendent relationship is essential to lead change successfully. Strategic management focuses on identifying specific strategic issues that tend to involve such high educational, financial, or political stakes that they cannot sensibly be left to normal routine. Strategic change initiatives are a schedule of tasks with specific…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) State of American Business: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Says U.S. Could Face a "Severe Worker Shortage" Unless…

This volume, a third edition updated and expanded from the two previous editions, is an introduction to the essentials of school law in New Jersey and a reference tool for readers experienced in educational law. Chapter 1 focuses on the legal structure of New Jersey public education, addressing such primary issues as the flow of authority to…

This brief paper suggests that state leaders create charter districts in which all or most schools are charter or contract schools. Such districts, according to the paper, would help policymakers create school systems that focus on student achievement and provide high-quality choices to students and parents. The paper examines why charter…

Prepared as a guide for developing new policies and revising existing ones, this report recognizes the need for assisting superintendents and school boards in small school districts in the improvement of board policies. Effective policies and regulations are precise and clear, consistent in style and format, readable, and regularly updated. Board…

This report reviews the seven times that the courts have considered the question of whether school boards can remove books from school libraries. Because the first and the three most recent cases upheld the rights of boards, while the other three cases were won by plaintiffs who had filed their cases against the boards, the differences in the…

This handbook is an updated edition provided by the Illinois State Board of Education for school district treasurers. Its intent is to assist Class I county treasurers in performing their duties efficiently and effectively. The handbook is divided into four sections, the first of which outlines custodial role, eligiblity, term of office, salary,…

Testing and assessment have become extremely important components of the educational program. The purpose of this position paper is to provide factual and policy-related information that may be of use to school boards as they design or improve their districts' testing and assessment policies. It is the New York State policy that school boards…

The way that a school board responds to media attention can make or break a school district's image and its communication program. Since elected officials govern by public consent gained from trust, a responsible communications program is based on willingness to do business in the light of day. Schools must be able to communicate the difficult…