Describes how the Conestoga Valley School District in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, privatized its food service division in a way that allowed the district to benefit from the profits. The school district established a nonprofit foundation, which served as a middleman to purchase the stock of a corporation. The corporation's profits and dividends were…

Lease-purchase finance is a viable alternative for school districts that cannot or do not want to employ traditional financing techniques. Outlines the advantages and disadvantages of lease-purchase financing compared to outright purchase; operating leasing, which is taxable; and traditional tax-exempt bond financing. (MLF)

According to Richard W. Riley, Secretary of Education, the federal government can be a partner to states and communities in improving education. Outlines the Goals 2000 plan to provide schools with greater flexibility in exchange for greater accountability for results. Federal priorities are to provide additional resources to high-poverty…

Examines demographic changes in American education over recent decades and makes near-future projections. Increased enrollment will occur throughout 2005, especially in the West. Hispanic enrollments are rapidly increasing. The number of teachers will rise 17% from 1992 to 2004; pupil-teacher ratios will remain stable. State and federal…

To ease fiscal strain, many school districts employ alternative fund-raising initiatives. They are forming local foundations or booster clubs, soliciting businesses or volunteers for in-kind donations, selling and leasing services and facilities, generating investment income, collecting user fees, cooperating with social service providers,…

Describes how school districts can use microcomputers for financial modeling in order to conduct a logical and rational school closure analysis. (MLF)

Discusses the Office of Management and Budget's recent requirement that all state and local governments receiving federal grants undergo a single audit (a comprehensive financial and compliance audit conducted by one audit firm or organization) at least once every two years in conjunction with an appropriate federal or state agency. (JBM)

The latest educational reform is that of charter schools. This article surveys the perceived benefits of charter schools and their organizational characteristics. Describes fiscal and policy issues and outlines seven critical components necessary for passing successful charter legislation. One figure is included. (Five references) (LMI)

Increasing specialist staff over the years means that regular classroom teachers comprise a declining portion of professional staff. Fewer education dollars are spent teaching the regular instructional program. The Boston schools, five Darlington-Hammond study schools, the New American Schools, and the Edison Project have achieved higher student…

Surplus school property must be carefully managed to provide districts with a long-term revenue source. Asset management plans are comprehensive programs to address the long-term revenue and facility needs of school districts. Outlines five basic steps for successfully implementing an asset management plan. (MLF)

By 1992, all states had adopted the Governmental Accounting Standards Board's (GASB) Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP). However, not all governments had implemented them by that date. Points out the advantages and weaknesses of GAAP. Concludes that the uniformity in accounting rules give greater assurance that the information…

The magnitude of special education funding requirements has placed strains on both state and local budgets. Funding formulas for special education can be grouped as resource based, child based, or cost based. A table provides a summary of the incentives and disincentives associated with each type of funding. (13 references) (MLF)

The Finance Analysis Model builds a computerized reporting system that can separate costs by organizational setting, by function, by type or level of school, by individual schools, and by program. When these costs are cross-tabulated at each school, decision makers can communicate about how resources are being allocated and used. (7 tables, 15…

A roundtable discussion by executives of the Association of School Business Officials raises questions about the recruitment, preparation, and availability of school business officials in the coming years. (MLF)

To achieve computer literacy in schools, districts need to address the current role of the computer in education, answer technical questions about older equipment, and schedule staff development training. Financial planning for school computers should include alternatives for generating capital, school business partnerships, foundations, and…