Self Insurance (pooling) offers premium dollar savings, improved coverage, and adequate limits to school districts, governmental entities, and private-sector groups. Outlines a common and safe pool structure. (MLF)

Discusses compensated absences such as future vacation, sick leave, and other absences that must be recognized for accounting and financial reporting purposes. Explains Governmental Accounting Standards Board distinctions between governmental and proprietary fund models. School districts and municipalities must now account for compensated…

This interview with the director of the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools describes the purpose of impact aid to districts affected by federal property or employees, identifies problems generated by current funding levels, and discusses efforts toward reauthorizing the program. (MJL)

Basic components of a New Jersey district's profitable cash management program include consolidating funds using a negotiated bank agreement, a short term investment policy, accurate flowcharts for precise planning, and revenue and expenditure analysis. Data collection and analysis and the alternative of using a bank service agreement are…

Zero-base budgeting is a management tool that provides a system that is responsive to change, incorporates sound principles of management, satisfies the need to effectively shift resources, and does not overload the budget staff. (Author/MLF)

To handle the major school budgetary and operating challenges posed by the energy, transportation, food service, maintenance, equipment, and material problems, administrators must look to improved management, improved operations, and optimization of existing resources. (Author/MLF)

Discusses issues related to the funding of urban schools during uncertain economic periods. Includes the complexity of urban school reform, teacher supply and quality in urban schools, nontraditional support for urban schools, and markets and accountability in urban schools. (Contains 36 references.) (PKP)

Discusses balance sheets and income statements for private-sector companies and the ratios that have been developed to guide corporate decision makers. Discusses the various public-sector reports that school districts create and how they can be used to create information via ratios to help school administrators and policymakers in directing and…

Wisconsin's Waukesha County Technical College has been cited by the Government Finance Officers Association for prematurely recognizing property tax revenues. The outcome of the dispute will also affect other Wisconsin Technical Colleges and school districts in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Illinois. (MLF)

The CO/OP (founded in 1973 as the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials Cooperative Corporation) has created and produced administrative software for schools. Describes two areas in which software can increase revenue and provide protection for personnel: (1) invoice/accounts receivable for the rental of school space; and (2) an…

Describes strategies to meet the increasing demands for technological innovation in the face of increasingly severe budgetary constraints. Long-term planning is the key to a successful technological program. Describes the options of leasing, financing, and phased-in purchases. (LMI)

In late 1994, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued new rules applicable to issuers of municipal securities (including school districts) concerning disclosure to the investment community. Describes how SEC's existing Rule 15c2-12 has been implemented. Discusses its purpose, jurisdiction, obligated persons, written…

To measure returns on taxpayer investments, two distinct evaluation levels are needed: a publicly accessible system that provides data and analytical conclusions for a state's school districts and charter schools; and an indepth assessment of individual school districts or sites. Standard & Poor's School Evaluation Services framework looks…

Reviews two approaches to educational finance reform: one state-initiated (Indiana's 1993 problem-driven school-funding formula), the other federally initiated (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Applies lessons from these two approaches to current state efforts to reform local public schools. (Contains 16 references.) (PKP)

School business administrators are devoting a significant portion of their time to retirement-related issues. Describes the retirement systems in place in Illinois and provides some budgeting examples for retirements and early retirements of school district personnel. (MLF)