Merit pay plans for administrators do not work in school systems in which the governing board is elected from among lay people. In 1979, the Brewster (New York) Central School District developed an administrator merit pay plan. The goal of the plan was to implement changes and programs which would reflect the needs of the community as interpreted…

Describes an Ohio school program that awards honorary high school diplomas to outstanding and distinguished Ohioans. (MD)

Describes a Wisconsin middle school's step-by-step plan for dealing with student suicide. The plan calls for maintaining a normal school day and providing counseling services directed by an interview team (counselors, social workers, and teachers) trained to help people handle suicide. Tips for managing suicide's impact are provided. (MLH)

Discusses the importance of personnel policies covering AIDS (and other communicable diseases) and presents relevant employee guidelines developed by teacher unions and school districts. Three insets offer additional Center for Disease Control guidelines, day-to-day considerations when working with AIDS employees, and available publications…

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)

Offers superintendents guidelines for resolving personnel disputes, policy disagreements, and communication problems with school boards so that schools run smoothly. (KS)

The key to an employee-supported evaluation system is involving a significant majority of those affected in the planning process. This article describes the development of a new evaluation system for 200 administrators and supervisiors based on attitude surveys and a large administrator-dominated steering committee. (MLH)

Discusses the significance of the Equal Access Act for schools. Deferring policy decisions can be risky, so school boards should establish a clear and concise policy in compliance with the act and prepare for possible ramifications of equal access. (TE)

From a random sample of 6,102 school executives, 1,115 (18 percent) answered questions about their attitudes toward hiring relatives and receiving gifts and services from vendors. Tables illustrate data by principals at school level, and by superintendents. Demographic information about respondents is provided. (MLF)