Acceptable-use policies help ensure appropriate Internet access in a New York State school district. The district's four elementary schools and one each junior high and high school are relying on a two-pronged strategy. A policy version for staff, and one for students and parents, couples tight supervision with a carefully crafted acceptable-use…

Many corporations, foundations, and individual donors are committed to supporting public education. Solicitation of grants and gifts from individuals is practically nonexistent in the public schools. Few board members or school administrators know whom to ask for them. Offers some fund-raising tactics and sources for funding opportunities. (MLF)

Sexual harassment violates Title VII of the 1965 Civil Rights Act. School systems that do not take steps to prevent sexual harassment are neglecting their responsibilities and are vulnerable to costly legal action. Lists steps school executives should take to halt sexual harassment. (MLF)

Changes in school bus schedules and routes result in more uproar among parents than almost anything else. School districts alter bus routes for various reasons--lack of local or state tax revenue, safety, and efficiency. School boards should give parents as much notice as possible, as early as possible. All school officials need to know the new…

Discusses some of the current problems facing Quebec and the debate over news coverage of those problems. Reports that Quebec's schools will receive increased funding and undergo a three-year reform. Describes local school boards' continuing financial problems and controversies surrounding the handling of school funds. Examines young Anglos'…

Process called "Team Review" is designed to help develop and maintain better working relationships among board members and between the board and superintendent. Every three or four months, board members and the superintendent complete questionnaire concerning such matters as communication, trust, and decision making, followed by a discussion.…

Findings from "Getting There from Here," a yearlong study of effective school leadership in 10 districts in 5 states, identify some of the problems that get in the way of effective school leadership. Offers nine practices that boards and superintendents can use to work together to achieve district goals. (MLF)

Experiences of a Michigan school district provide a case study for examining the political, economic, and community-relations issues embedded in a decision to privatize. Support can be achieved only if all parties feel they were given adequate attention during deliberations on the issue. (MLF)

School districts are being offered sponsored curriculum materials from various corporations that contain samples of the companies' products. Marketing contracts with beverage companies are another way advertising is entering schools. School board members' choices are complicated by the pressure to do more with less. A sidebar recounts the decision…

A questionnaire which school districts in California were asked to fill out in an effort to determine the scope of responsibility and authority they feel is delegated to the district superintendent by the governing board is presented. The form asks them to check whether the superintendent has (1) complete authority; (2) authority, but must inform;…

This essay presents an overview of the past 25 years of collective bargaining in American public education. Drawing distinctions between compensation and noncompensation issues, the essay addresses the issue of striking a balance between the interests of organized teachers and the educational interests of their communities, and it incorporates…

The resolution of free speech issues in the public school context has, until recently, involved a precarious balancing between the First Amendment rights of students and teachers and the role of public schools in inculcating students with fundamental values. This year, in "Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier," the Supreme Court struck…

Suggestions are presented to help public, school, academic, and special libraries celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of New York's educational system, known as the University of the State of New York, and its Board of Regents. The University of the State of New York was founded in 1784 by the state legislature; it embraces all…

This report presents a portrait of the staff who work in State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) member agencies and the organizational structure and personnel policies of the agencies which employ them. Data sources included questionnaires submitted by 322 professional staff working in SHEEO agencies and an organizational survey…

A study of 188 superintendents and 379 school board members in districts with student enrollments above 25,000 sheds light on several factors affecting the working relationships between superintendents and their local boards. Board members tended to follow personal judgment rather than constituent preferences when making decisions, and received…