The job of the school business official entails accurately preparing financial statements; understanding their implications; and interpreting the salient points to the superintendent and the board of education. Offers guidelines for reporting fiscal news to a board of education. (MLF)

The Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting by Schools Program reached a high of 180 submissions for program year 1989. Describes technical developments, including a 90-minute videotape about the program, highlights of the previous year, and a summary of certain program specifics. (MLF)

Answers questions concerning outcome-based education (OBE), including underlying beliefs, characteristics, reasons to change to OBE, needs it will fulfill, how to begin OBE, and arguments in opposition. Cites dramatic improvement in students' test scores in Connecticut, Utah, and New York school districts after the implementation of OBE. (MLF)

Internal reform in higher education management will require containment of excessive administrative growth, streamlining procedures, shifting focus from individuals to the organization, encouraging leadership, restructuring governing boards, eliminating duplicated effort, clarifying priorities, revamping the reward system, and creating…

The Educational Research Service's "National Survey of Salaries and Wages" reports the annual salaries and fringe benefits of chief business officials in the categories of "Assistant Superintendent" or "Director of Finance and Business." Data from approximately 1,000 reporting school systems are analyzed and…

For the past 9 years, a study conducted by the Educational Research Service has provided a consistent and reliable means for comparing local school budgets throughout the nation. Three figures and 2 tables provide summary data. The last table shows an analysis with 48 separate budget categories that administrators can use to compare their budgets.…

Pressure for cost containment is growing at even very financially healthy colleges and universities. Institutions need to think concurrently about cost containment in terms of temporary, mid-term, and permanent changes to institutional operations and priorities. It may be productive to reframe the issue as "funding priorities" rather…

School district participation in the Meritorious Budget Awards (MBA) Program makes budgets more understandable and user-friendly. All budget data are presented in a single document in a pyramid approach that begins with a summary of all funds and then presents individual funds. Provides ordering information for a publication that guides readers…

This guide provides information for schools considering whether to participate in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, and it offers advice on how to plan for and operate the loan program at an individual school. The information in the guide is presented in a way that follows the steps that need to be taken in planning and implementing the…

This chapter of "Principles of School Business Management" identifies management theories that provide a fundamental conceptual knowledge base that school business officials can use to understand the school organizational setting and its influences on the day-to-day operation of the educational process. Particular attention is paid to…

This chapter of "Principles of School Business Management" provides an overview of the role of computers--and microcomputers in particular--in the school business management process. The chapter opens with a background discussion of the management information system (MIS) concept in general. This topic is examined in terms of the…

This manual presents practical methods and procedures to help school custodians ensure safe, functioning facilities and to reflect the district's standards. The guide begins with brief discussions of custodial organization, staff relationships, and maintenance staff. The section "Job Descriptions by Titles" lists functions of custodial positions.…

New legislation requiring that continuing health insurance benefits be offered to employees and their families generally apply to all health care benefit plans maintained by school districts. The new regulations are explained. (MLF)

A survey of nearly 400 members at an annual meeting of the Association of School Business Officials revealed that 228 (60 percent) used microcomputers for central office administrative purposes. Word processing, spreadsheet, and data management programs led the list of major applications. (MLF)

The cost-effective "wellness" health care approach, emphasized by many corporations, will soon be emphasized by school districts. Wellness programs, beneficial for employees, can be launched by utilization of community resources and by knowing employees' health needs. (CJH)