Explains how to improve visual displays employed in school finance by examining a theoretical framework and applying it to the displays. Discusses and illustrates important display principles based on William Cleveland's ideas about decoding/encoding, length judgments, distance, detection, and superimposed curves; and Edward Tufte's work on data…

Summarizes the current literature on whether money matters in education and the allocation and use of educational resources. Offers suggestions for districts seeking to focus on instructional purposes. How money is spent matters more than how much is spent. Since 80% to 90% of a district's funds are spent at the school level, most savings or…

The second of two articles addresses recent school finance litigation raised in five states. These decisions appear to have strengthened the concept of education as a state responsibility, so much so that the likelihood of significant reversal toward increased local autonomy appears to be improbable. (MLF)

School districts often face unevenly timed state aid and property tax disbursements. As a result, they issue a large volume of short-term, tax-exempt cash-flow operating notes. Offers details about why school districts need to issue notes and discusses the increasing trend of pooled note issues. (MLF)

Whether inclusion will produce resource economies for school districts is difficult to determine. Districts that have developed inclusive models have reported mixed results. There appear to be no savings in personnel costs, although some overall reduction in transportation expenditure has occurred. Inclusion demands a more fluid approach to…

Outlines internal-auditing strategies necessitated by decentralization. Describes the following areas of concern: the student activities account, student attendance, and funding delegated to the site level. Guidelines for conducting an internal audit are also included. (LMI)

Describes the Association of School Business Officials' (ASBO's) Certificate of Excellence for Financial Reporting review process for school district accounting and financial reporting. Describes the Self-Evaluation Worksheet revision, the panel of review members' guide, and highlights of program year 1994. Two figures are included. (LMI)

Outlines several major areas involved in issuing bonds to finance school buildings and other projects. Basic financing structures include general obligation bonds, lease revenue bonds, and tax anticipation notes. Explains competitive or negotiated sale process and the roles of financial advisor, underwriter, and bond counsel. (MLF)

Over the past three years, an Arizona school district has conducted five educational sessions for its employees. Each session is adaptable to meet specific situations facing the district. The entire staff is better able to understand and support how the district's financial resources are being put to use. (MLF)

State activism in school funding extends far beyond increasing states' percentage of public-school revenues. However, local districts' share of funding has fallen dramatically over the last 7 decades. Equity-, efficiency-, and liberty-enhancing goals are explained, along with assistance-oriented, persuasive, and regulatory policy approaches.…

Argues for the elimination of the control that some municipal fiscal boards have over education. (IRT)

Offers an alternative to zero base budgeting called multi-level based budgeting. (Author/MLF)

The transmittal letter, part of a school district's comprehensive annual financial report, provides a creative opportunity to communicate the financial picture of a district to readers. After the introduction, the letter should include sections on (1) mission, services, and environment; (2) financial highlights; (3) systems and controls; and (4)…

Between 1982-83 and 1986-87 states boosted aid for public elementary and secondary schools by 41 percent. Variation among the states is due to enrollment changes, fiscal conditions, and priorities. A chart shows percents of revenue increases (state, local, and federal) and enrollment changes by state. (MLF)

The mandated certification of North Carolina school fiscal officers is supported by a systematic professional development program that involves university faculty, officials of the state board of education, and representatives of the professional association. (Author)