Enacted in 2002 as the cornerstone of President George W. Bush's educational policy, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act has been controversial since it became law. At its heart, NCLB is designed to have students perform at grade level by the year 2014. Yet as debate rages on an array of issues surrounding NCLB, the reauthorization process has slowed and may not take place as scheduled in 2010. The first of two fiscal matters of interest to school business officials and other educational leaders who are responsible for the finances of their districts involves how to pay for NCLB. Another significant issue for school business officials concerns budgeting for federal funding for education, which grew from $17.4 billion in fiscal year 2001 to $24.9 billion in fiscal year 2009. However, since inadequate controls are in place regulating extra expenses associated with testing and hiring highly qualified teachers, federal involvement may cost local boards more than they can save. Two final controversial issues relate to staff. The first potential conflict arises over provisions in NCLB that allow for the dismissal of teachers and principals in schools that fail to achieve adequate yearly progress for two consecutive years. The second possible pratfall arises with regard to the fact that both Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and President Obama support performance pay for teachers, also known as merit pay--an issue that unions have long opposed and are certain to fight should it be included in any NCLB revisions. The author contends that if lawmakers hope to maximize NCLB's chance of helping students succeed, they must provide adequate resources to states while modifying its provisions to address areas in need of improvement. It should be interesting to observe how these issues play out as NCLB heads toward the reauthorization process.