Although school funding structures are similar in many ways across the states, no two states have school finance systems that are precisely the same. School finance systems which are used to achieve multiple objectives, must consider characteristics of numerous school districts, distribute large amounts of money, and have developed incrementally…

Court decisions historically have dealt with educational equity; now they are helping to establish "adequacy" as a standard in education. Legislatures, however, have been slow to enact remedies. One debate over education adequacy, though, is settled: Schools are not financed at an adequate level. This fastback is divided into three…

School budget dollars demand conscientious management and prudent investment, where permitted by law, in U.S. treasury bills, certificates of deposit, and repurchase agreements. Insets outline investment instruments and provide a money management primer and a chart of state-by-state investment rules. (MLH)

Just as ice cream comes in many flavors for different tastes, fund balances need to be reserved and designated to meet school district plans and commitments. This article examines accounting principles and other issues determining the segregation and size of a school district's fund balance, a legally restricted reserve that can affect the…

This book is a tool for Illinois school business officials, superintendents, and other administrators with budgeting responsibilities. It is also a resource for school board members. The foreword describes the financial responsibilities of the school board along with the caveat that financial management is staff work, not board work. Detailed…

Suggests that college governing board investment committees should respond to the current economic and terrorism-related crisis by using SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) to examine factors that can crystallize money-management decision points. (EV)

Outlines the cash management program developed by the Orangeburg School District (SC) for the district's funds. They take bids from banks before deciding which bank to use for all their services, including an investment program. This new system has saved $30,000 in the first year. Sidebars tell how to shop for bank services and list technical…

Focusing on fund raising activities for local Future Farmers of America chapters, the author expounds upon seven questions the teacher should ask before taking advantage of a sale item. In addition the following five fund-raising methods are described: work days, sale of shop-constructed items, carnivals, raffles, and greenhouses. (LRA)

Provides information to teachers who need grant money to fund projects their schools cannot afford, explaining how to begin, what items grants typically pay for, what type of information must be on a grant proposal about the project, how to work with corporate foundations, and how to determine project success. (SM)

This handbook is designed to share successful, creative ideas and proven methods for fund raising at the elementary school level. Suggestions are based on the author's personal experience as a PTA fund raiser and on interviews conducted nationwide with people involved in fund raising. Following the acknowledgements and preface, the introduction…

This handbook is the basic accounting document for Wisconsin's public school systems; it presents the means to achieve uniformity in reporting on the efficacy of the Wisconsin Elementary and Secondary School Accounting System (WESSAS). Its purpose is to provide financial information that will promote reporting, auditing, interdistrict comparison,…

School administrators are advised to invest school funds for maximum return, coupled with safety and flexibility. The advantages and disadvantages of a variety of investment instruments are explained. (MLF)

Summarizes techniques for interpreting the balance sheet and the statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes-in-fund-balance sections of the comprehensive annual financial report required of all school districts. Uses three tables to show intricacies involved and focuses on analyzing favorable and unfavorable budget variances. (MLH)

After analyzing the causes of public education's current fiscal crisis, this article offers a marketing approach to educational management as a possible long range solution. A model marketing plan is outlined and some applications for raising revenues are identified. (MJL)

This guide offers school principals suggestions for economizing, cost containment, fund raising, and general ideas for maintaining a positive bottom line. The book is divided into nine chapters. Chapter 1 examines ways to cut costs without cutting essential programs and services. The chapter emphasizes the abstract notion that fiscal fitness is an…