Frederick County, Maryland, is saving money by serving milk in plastic bags similar to those used in the space program by the astronauts. (Author/MLF)

The American Society of Dentistry for Children recognized the Milwaukee Board of School Directors' commitment to promoting better oral health and nutritional habits among school children. (Author/MLF)

First of a series of articles on techniques submitted by school business officials. (MLF)

Discusses common weather-related hazards (floods, windstorms, and winter storms) and provides some steps administrators can take to protect their schools. Suggests administrators periodically assess their school's commitment to loss control, housekeeping, suitable building construction and reinforcement, sprinkler systems, water supply,…

During the 1995-96 school year, the Savannah-Chatham County (Georgia) Public Schools averaged 800 daily telephone complaints about transportation. Applying total-quality-management principles improved client satisfaction via a Pareto problem analysis chart, a customer response data-collection team, and driver teams who strategized ways to reduce…

Waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery are not problematic in the United States. Most industrial and agricultural chemicals are neutralized by existing treatment technology, but cryptosporidium contamination can occur in dysfunctional treatment/filtration systems. Bottled water is no better than tap water. Awareness is better…

Describes documents developed for school business officials' self-assessment of seven major skill sets in "Professional Standards," published by the Association of School Business Officials in 2001. Documents are available from Professional Development section of Association's Web site at www.asbointl.org. (PKP)

Describes how Geneva School District (New York) built a positive school-police relationship and developed a community intervention team, which includes the position of community intervention specialist. Describes the purpose, principles, structure, and composition of a threat-assessment team. Includes threat-assessment procedures, based on a…

Describes the use of ergonomics to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Describes ergonomics and how to identify ergonomic problems, conduct a job hazard analysis, and develop solutions. Also lists common ergonomic errors in schools. Provides an ergonomic checklist for employees…

Describes potential benefits of four alternative project-delivery methods for school construction, renovation, and maintenance: construction manager-at-risk (CMAR), design-build (DB), design-bid-build (DBB), and job-order contracting (JOC). Compares CMAR, DBB, and DB for construction cost, schedule, and quality. (PKP)

Investigates state unmet funding needs for school infrastructure. Finds an estimated total of $266.1 billion in unmet funding needs. Provides state-by-state estimates of unmet funding that range from $220.1 million in Vermont to $47.6 billion in New York. Compares urban and rural infrastructure needs. Includes recommendations for school business…

Discusses pros and cons of various methods of compensating an attorney or law firm for legal services: Hourly fee; retainer and hourly fee; long-term or annual contract; retainer, fees, and benefits; capped fees; and expenses and reimbursements. Includes brief questionnaire to determine legal services needed and wanted by a school district. (PKP)

Describes a Missouri self-insurance or pooling program that provides a risk protection package, along with risk management services, to its members. Discusses cost advantages to pooling, and other factors school districts should consider when deciding whether or not to join a pooling arrangement. (MLF)

North Carolina's Professional Certification Program, established in 1986, is an effort to professionalize the status of school finance officer and provide appropriate remuneration. Finance officers are now required to satisfy 7 standards and to renew their certification annually by completing 24 contract hours in position-related minicourses and…

The harm to human health and our environment caused by leaking underground storage tanks can be devastating. Schools can meet new federal waste management standards by instituting daily inventory monitoring, selecting a reliable volumetric testing company, locating and repairing leaks promptly, and removing and installing tanks appropriately. (MLH)