In this opinion piece, the author reflects on some similarities with the National Health Service (NHS) in England, which has a long history of leadership tensions as hospital trusts have tried to wrestle administrative and operational decision-making away from clinicians and consultants.

In this article, the author describes her journey serving in five school districts and finally becoming a business manager in her hometown in Wisconsin. Having become involved in professional organizations and working to share what she knows, she became recognized as a skilled business official and thus never had a problem finding a job or…

The definition of "retirement" is changing with the boomers, just like everything else that generation has done. Call it a new version of outsourcing. For an early career business administrator or an understaffed business office, there are jobs--often projects--that simply do not get done. The projects require time and expertise that…

Transporting students with special needs can be a costly proposition. However, school business officials can help mitigate those costs by focusing on four specific areas: relationships, information sharing, safety, and time lines. Although these areas may seem a bit far removed from the numbers we love to crunch, they do affect your…

Effective leadership is on everyone's mind this presidential election year as the country's citizens look for a strong candidate to guide them through the next four years. Effective leadership is just as critical in the nation's school districts where people prepare their young people to be the global citizens of tomorrow. In most school…

Many factors distinguish public school district transactions from private business transactions. Like any other business transaction, public school contracts should unambiguously describe the transaction and sufficiently outline the obligations of the parties. However, public school districts may be subject to distinctive laws that effectively…

Mary Jo Maydew articulates her priorities as 2002-2003 board chair of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO): helping business officers maximize their expanding roles on campus and guiding the association in better serving member needs. (EV)

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…

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)

Leading-edge purchasing managers, consultants, and futurists explain the importance of organizational structure, skill sets, technology, supplier relationships, and other crucial areas to their professions. Most predict the need for broad-based knowledge and a growing emphasis on horizontal organizational structures, customer/supplier…

Advises beginning school financial officers to know their own limits and capabilities; review district records, prior years' audit reports, financial statements, and budget documents; examine board of education policy; establish a calendar of events; keep their staff informed; and develop information contacts. They should also pursue continuing…

Points to three kinds of information and skills possessed by business affairs personnel that need to be shared with other administrators, faculty, and the public. Sees the talents of these officials being buried by stereotypic images, considers ways of improving communication, and underscores the critical need for business officers expertise. (AYC)

Provides background and understanding of the origins of the voucher concept; the salient arguments for and against voucher systems; and an analysis of the voucher system from the perspective of the business manager, with special emphasis on the planning functions of the business office. (Author)

The market director of MetLife Resources, which agreed to help the Association of School Business Officials promote and expand its Meritorious Budget Awards (MBA) program, affirms MetLife's commitment to partnerships with national educational associations. Healy finds schools overburdened with rules. Schools should emulate good business practices.…

In addressing the Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Board, the National Association of College and University Business Officers' president urged the accounting standards boards to work together to establish a multiyear accounting research agenda for higher education. (Author/MSE)