Describes a low cost alarm system that schools can use to detect intruders. (MLF)

Advice is offered on how to conduct an energy audit. (MLF)

Describes how to increase school safety with the use of wireless local area networks and wireless telephones. (PKP)

The data contained on desktop computer systems and networks pose security issues for virtually every district. Sensitive information can be protected by educating users, altering the physical layout, using password protection, designating access levels, backing up data, reformatting floppy disks, using antivirus software, and installing encryption…

Survey of the 2001-02 annual salaries and wages of school business officials excerpted from the National Survey of Salaries and Wages in Public Schools conducted annually by the Educational Research Service. Shows annual salaries by geographic region, enrollment size, and per-pupil spending. Describes trends in salaries. (PKP)

Describes the current state of technology to manage school food-service operations, including, for example, the use of automation to identify and feed needy students and the use of the Internet. Describes challenges of implementing an automated system. (PKP)

Reviews three recent court cases from separate jurisdictions dealing with letters of recommendation. Suggests ways to avoid controversy and possible litigation involving letters of recommendation. Recommends that school boards update their policies on providing letters of reference for school personnel to reflect status of law in their states.…

Briefly describes four different electronic learning options available from the private sector: Off-the-shelf courseware, authoring tools and learning content management systems, virtual classrooms, and custom content. (PKP)

Advances the use of school-based budgeting to improve student achievement. Describes four steps to implementing school-based budgeting: Access the current situation, set priorities and make decisions, plan action steps and benchmarks, and analyze choices and build the budget. Includes case study of the implementation of school-based budgeting at…

Describes several options for school districts to comply with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements 34 and 35 that require school districts to inventory their fixed assets and measure the value of these assets over their estimated life for inclusion in their financial statements. Information about GASB Statements 34 and 35 is…

Describes the New York School Insurance Reciprocal (NYSIR) wherein 280 school districts in New York insure one another against property damage and injury. NYSIR member districts pay considerably less in premiums than they would pay through standard insurance companies. (PKP)

Describes the educational benefits of high-performance schools, buildings that are efficient, healthy, safe, and easy to operate and maintain. Also briefly describes how to create a high-performance school drawn from volume I (Planning) of the three-volume Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) "Best Practices Manual." (For more…

Discusses the advantages of metal building and roofing systems, especially the use of steel. Considers such factors as installation ease and design flexibility, reliability and durability, and cost-effectiveness. (PKP)

Investigates variations in state funding programs for school building needs. Includes table of 2001-02 primary state aid programs for school facilities. Also describes use of local voter-approved bond issues to fund local school construction. Includes table of 2001-02 state bond programs, debt limits, and state aid for debt. Discusses emerging…

Describes the public-policy advocacy role provided by the Association of School Business Officials, International, on behalf of school business officials. (PKP)