In many colleges, the business office has been isolated from other departments. The modern college business office reflects the highly efficient and technologically supported activities found in industry that have resulted in better services to the whole institution. (Author/MSE)

Outlines lobbying techniques for use by school business officials in successful acquisition of needed computer equipment and software packages by school districts. (MD)

Microcomputers have many cost- and time-saving uses in school transportation management. Applications include routing and scheduling, demographic analysis, fleet maintenance, and personnel and contract management. Word processing is especially promising for storing and updating documents like specifications. Enrollment forecasting and inventory…

In order to process data in a computer, application software must be either developed or purchased. Costs for modifications of the software package and maintenance are often hidden. The decision to buy or develop software packages should be based upon factors of time and maintenance. (MLF)

Increased accountability is required in school accounting due to rising education costs and the significant investment made in property and equipment in educational facilities. Guidelines for planning and implementing a property record-keeping system are provided. (Author/MLF)

Discusses a "Bringing Economy and Efficiency into Purchasing" (BEEP) project in the Onteora Central School District, Boiceville (New York). The project determined that the employment of a part-time purchasing agent was economically justified for an average-sized semirural school district. (Author/MLF)

The school business official is usually responsible for establishing and maintaining student activity accounts. Identifies key elements in developing a student activities procedures handbook. Sections include student organizations and activities, dances, concessions, public-performances, money-raising activities, travel, finances, and…

The Educational Research Service's 1996-97 National Survey of Wages and Salaries in Public Schools reports average salaries of $80,176 paid to assistant superintendents, $65,797 paid to directors of business and finance, and $39,580 paid to classroom teachers. Salaries for chief business officials have kept pace with those of classroom teachers.…

Written policies and administrative procedures in the school business office are necessary so transition and change will go smoothly. Provides a sample from the policy department of the Illinois Association of School Boards. (MLF)

Performance auditing is a tool designed to assist public officials in meeting their responsibility to apply resources efficiently and effectively. Applies performance auditing to school business support services; identifies benefits and obstacles; and provides selected alternatives and examples of performance auditing. (MLF)

Systemic reform efforts are being widely utilized as a tool in school improvement. In the next decade, math and science are becoming a focus for improvement, as are the issues of privatization and collaboration. Asks school business officials questions to reveal how dedicated to change they are. (KDP)

Waukesha County Technical College (Wisconsin) received the Governmental Financial Officers Association "Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award" in 1993 and became the first educational entity to do so. Popular annual financial reporting is an effective way for schools to present reader-friendly reports that stress graphics and…

There is good reason for college fund raisers and business officers to collaborate on common financial interests. Communication is a key element of such cooperation. Other needs include agreement on accounting and reporting of institutional finances, agreement on stewardship of gifts (particularly with restrictions or endowments), and common…

An introduction to general systems theory and an overview of vocabulary and concepts are presented to introduce school business officials to systems thinking and to foster its use as an analytical tool. The theory is then used to analyze a sample problem: planning changes to a district's administrative computer system. (eight references) (MLF)

Presents a personal perspective on the state of public education by the executive director of the American Association of School Administrators. Views the biggest problem as the poverty of one-fourth of all children in schools. (MLF)