Before renewing or purchasing additional school insurance, school business officials should identify one person as insurance coordinator, complete and update a risk management audit, develop coverage specifications, determine whether the purchases will be by bid or negotiation, and develop procedures for reviewing policies once they have been…

In 1985, the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) established a "Micro-Lab" at their annual meeting to provide members of ASBO with exposure to, and hands-on use of, various computer hardware and software. Provides a synopsis of several of the presentations made at the 1989 annual meeting. (MLF)

At San Diego State University, special card access terminals, attached to 32 copiers in 18 campus buildings, report each transaction to a central processor. This system controls access, bills the users by department, and provides comprehensive information on the copiers. (Author/MLF)

Examines traditional costing models utilized in higher education and pinpoints shortcomings related to proper identification of costs. Describes activity-based costing systems as a superior alternative for cost identification, measurement, and allocation. (MLF)

School business officials should realize that achieving the Government Finance Officers Association's Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting will not always result in a high rating. Washington, D.C. has received this award for several years while flirting with bankruptcy. This article reviews the workings of financial markets for…

Presents a "Code of Ethics for School Administrators" and "Standards of Conduct for the Association of School Business Officials." These codes, combined with school regulations and adherence to various statutes, can provide school business officials with a sound philosophical basis for fulfilling their responsibilities. (MLF)

Highlights projects and statistics of the Association of School Business Officials' Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting by Schools Program. (MLF)

This handbook was developed as a means for self-assessment to assist school business officials in determining the efficiency of the business office's planning, procedures, and operations. It does not include every possible procedure or task performed in the business office. It is intended, rather, as a broad-based checklist of those operations and…

Shares some insights into the school purchasing process. (MLF)

School officials should strive to obtain the best insurance coverage at the lowest possible cost. Large school systems can save money by establishing a self-insurance program rather than buying insurance. (Author/MLF)

A review of the subject index for "School Business Affairs" during 1990-94 reveals that only two articles have been published over the past five years exclusively on the subject of ethics. Lists the ASBO International's Code of Ethics and how organizations can move from a code of ethics to incorporating them into daily professional…

This booklet provides guidelines to help school business officials develop sound procedures for keeping proper accounts of and managing the money raised and spent in the course of conducting student activity programs. The booklet notes the roles of the administrators and activity advisers related to management of the student activity fund, then…

School business partnerships can help school districts meet financial challenges and public demands for reform. To succeed, both parties must feel that they are benefiting from the relationship. Possible political collaboration and corporate donations are among the benefits for schools. (MLF)

There are no quick fixes to any problems that school systems face. The best solution lies in building a common approach to solving problems utilizing an established procedure; an interactive process; and a trained team of administrators, teachers, and nonteaching staff members. (MLF)

A sample of school business leaders was surveyed to document their experiences with and opinions about the Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Analyzes responses from 90 participating districts and 80 nonparticipating districts from a total of 36 states. (MLF))