A director of food services in an Indiana district analyzed costs of centralized versus decentralized food service. She discovered that preparing food at satellite schools, despite problems with inadequate equipment and outdated facilities, was more cost-effective. It is important for each district to analyze its own data and decide which system…

The possibility that electric and magnetic field radiation poses a health hazard should be recognized during the planning and designing of a school. A preconstruction assessment of possible exposure should be evaluated before the start of construction. (MLF)

Turning off all the interior and exterior lighting when school buildings are closed saves money. In a small Illinois school district, nearly $14,000 were saved in electrical expenditures for six buildings. Another Illinois district currently has 19 of its 32 buildings blacked out at night and saves over $150,000 annually. Vandalism and loitering…

Schools can engage in environmentally responsible practices. Source reduction is waste prevention. Setting up source reduction and recycling programs can be a positive learning experience for students, provide a valuable publicity tool, and secure the rewards of a supportive constituency. (MLF)

As the Internet proliferates, it drastically increases an institution's level of data insecurity. Hacker attacks can result in denial of service, data corruption or erasure, and passive theft (via spoofing, splicing, or session stealing). To ensure data security, a firewall (screening software program) and a security policy should be implemented.…

With careful planning and a strategic focus, today's technology can greatly enhance a district's marketing efforts. Websites can offer features such as interactive school assignment (based on home address), ability to check student progress, education portals (24-hour news channels), one-to-one communication, and interactive voice responses. (MLH)

The five recipients of the 1995 Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) found achieving a standard of excellence in budget documentation and presentation that the board, community, and local press could understand enormously challenging. Designed for school systems, the American Association of School Business Officials' MBA program effectively communicates…

Monolithic domes are less costly to build than traditional structures and can cost as much as 50 percent less to heat and cool. Districts across the country that have opted for monolithic-dome school facilities say their decision was a cost-effective alternative to conventional construction. (MLH)

In 2000, any automated system that processes dates may stop working completely or produce unexpected or unwanted results. School administrators should obtain a complete listing of all currently used systems, prioritize them, contact hardware and software providers to verify Y2K compliance, develop resolution plans with vendors, develop assessment…

Describes several common mistakes made by school boards, for example, failing to create a comprehensive school charter and hiring too many paid consultants; asserts that boards must avoid these mistakes and adopt practices that contribute to the strategic governance of schools. (PKP)

Although certain crises cannot be prevented, reactions to many can be planned. A crisis-management team should be organized for each building. Critical crisis-plan elements include telephone trees, forms, reference articles, sample letters, and processes for dealing with local media. Spokespersons should have facts straight before speaking. (MLH)

A computer virus is a program that replicates itself, in conjunction with an additional program that can harm a computer system. Common viruses include boot-sector, macro, companion, overwriting, and multipartite. Viruses can be fast, slow, stealthy, and polymorphic. Anti-virus products are described. (MLH)

Describes experience with certain tools and resources to help school business officials implement the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement 34. Focuses on Association of School Business Officials International's new Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting guidebook and financial-statement report-writer software called…

Proper cash flow planning allows a school business administrator to determine the availability of cash for operating expenses, the need for bank loans to cover these expenses, and the availability of idle cash for investment. (Author)

Outlines the advantages of having an updated system in a school district that coordinates the location of all students. (Author/MLF)