From a cost-benefit viewpoint, investing school revenues in small K-3 classes has great potential for improving productivity. Statewide class reduction initiatives in Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin have positively influenced student achievement, behavior, citizenship, and development. Districts cannot afford to ignore this mounting…

The assistant secretary for the Office of Educational Research and Improvement of the U.S. Department of Education presents a brief review of approaches to school finance issues. Cites the Clinton administration's goal to target the bulk of Title I (formerly Chapter 1) funds to the neediest schools in the neediest districts. (MLF)

For the past six years, Los Angeles County Office of Education (California) has used a state-of-the-art computerized transportation management system that produces $2 million annual net savings and provides prompt, accurate bus service for students, parents, and teachers. This article details routing and scheduling programs used. Includes seven…

This article describes the unfavorable conditions and the innovative tactics used in a well-planned, successful referendum campaign for one school district's capital improvement bond issue. (MJL)

The author contends that districts should reject binding interest arbitration as a means of resolving an impasse in contract negotiations, charging that it hampers good faith bargaining, adversely affects fiscal and operational management of the school system, and diminishes the governing role of the board of education. (MJL)

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 limited the ability of school districts to borrow money through the sale of tax-exempt bonds and then invest bond issue proceeds at interest rates higher than those paid on the bonds. Discusses practical considerations and public policy ramifications. (MLF)

State credit-enhancement programs for school districts lower interest costs and increase market acceptance for the bond issues. School districts receive higher bond ratings than they would have based on their own credit standings. Describes programs in 14 states that are recognized and rated by at least 1 major bond rating agency. (MLF)

Summarizes the perceptions of Virginia school officials regarding media coverage and analyzes newspaper coverage of school district budgeting processes. Questionnaire responses from 72 (54%) school board chairmen and 80 (60%) board of supervisors chairmen reveal that newspapers are the most important method of transmitting information from school…

Longitudinal study of how school districts allocated resources, focusing on expenditures and staffing, during a 6-year period in the 1990s, a period that saw the implementation of state standards and accountability initiatives. Finds, for example, that school districts did not appear to spend more on instruction, but did hire more instructional…

Traditional public relations methods are used to educate the central administration, the school board, and the community about the budgeting structure of a school district. (MLF)

The United States Department of Energy's Schools and Hospitals Program has been popular among schools. The necessity of locating nonfederal resources to achieve energy management warrants (1) developing a strategy of evaluation among schools and (2) market research and analysis. (CJH)

Local agencies' use of funds provided through the federal Chapter 2 program vary greatly among urban, suburban, large, and small classifications. Responses to the program have been positive in all geographic regions, primarily because of flexibility in meeting local needs and simplified administrative application. (CJH)

A marketing model is described as a framework for applying major marketing management principles to public school business management and is illustrated with the case of a hypothetical district's use of the plan. (MJL)

Explains the proposed revisions to Internal Revenue Service regulations that would require school districts to calculate the earnings on investments and deduct these earnings from bond obligations. Demonstrates how the revisions would restrict use of the proceeds of short-term investment of borrowed funds and limit cash on hand. (MLF)

Shows the complexity of special-education programs and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) due-process requirements and the costs associated with special education. Lists the procedural safeguards for parents under IDEA. (MLF)