A survey of 59 Missouri school boards that selected new superintendents for the 1984-85 school year revealed that the factors most significantly influencing selection decisions involved the candidates' self-presentation skills, the candidates' backgrounds as confirmed by references, and the candidates' interests in student achievement and district…

Outlines lobbying techniques for use by school business officials in successful acquisition of needed computer equipment and software packages by school districts. (MD)

Administrative and judicial legalism puts pressure on local schools and narrows the scope of local decision-making. Presents the negative effects it has on the development of administrative leadership. (MD)

School boards need to be prepared to deal with potential disasters. Four districts whose school board presidents dealt with serious emergencies are described. The emergencies included the murder of a superintendent, a flood, a statewide teacher walkout, and the threat of financial collapse. (MD)

Examines the idea of establishing a merit pay commission within a school system that would have the authority to make merit pay decisions independent of school administrators. Presents the philosophic and legal issues associated with installing such a commission. (MD)

Some school systems are recognizing their responsibility to check software piracy, and a few publishers are responding to schools' needs and offering discounts on multiple copies of software to schools with policies protecting software copyright. Includes a model policy example. (MD)

The employment contract is the key item in superintendent firing, and thus, it should include provisions for termination. Terminations can misfire if the board does not carry out contractual obligations. Eight points of advice are included for boards that are contemplating firing a superintendent. (MD)

A school district's board of education is a governing body that has the responsibility of creating vision and direction, setting policy, providing resources, and monitoring the results of student achievement initiatives for its district. The board and superintendent must work together as a leadership team for the district, modeling to the staff…

American government should be taught using an experiential approach. Activities are suggested. For example, student representatives to school boards can be given responsibility for researching student attitudes and involving others in interaction with the board and administration. (RM)

Budget problems are causing schools to look at developing nonprofit foundations for new sources of financing. Outlined are examples of successful foundations. Included are critics' concerns and suggestions for starting fund-raising foundations. (MD)

Teacher absenteeism is a serious problem symptomized by lack of board and superintendent leadership, incomplete attendance records and policies, job dissatisfaction, and failure to recognize the problem or reward good attendance. The author outlines eight solutions that match each symptom and five false beliefs about teacher absenteeism. (RW)

Describes the role of the Wilmington (Delaware) local of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in desegregating the state's school system. AFT leaders were instrumental in integrating teacher professional development sessions in 1945. (FMW)

Attitudes about teacher sabbaticals are sharply divided and, as funding grows scarcer, get more controversial. Teachers should plan sabbaticals that will improve their teaching, and school boards should be assured of good, long-term returns on their investments of sabbaticals. (MLF)

Numerous business issues arise when organizing a school recycling program. Important questions include the appropriate program organization, deciding what materials to recycle, the selection of appropriate business partners, and various financial issues. Offers suggestions for achieving a successful recycling program. (MLF)

This manual provides guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of boards of education and administrators in creating effective schools for American Indian students. Mission statements from both the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Indian Education Programs and the Association of Community Tribal Schools reflect a shared goal of ensuring…