For the past 9 years, a study conducted by the Educational Research Service has provided a consistent and reliable means for comparing local school budgets throughout the nation. Three figures and 2 tables provide summary data. The last table shows an analysis with 48 separate budget categories that administrators can use to compare their budgets.…

Today, K-12 schools urgently need change. Business administrators and principals both work in key leadership positions and must respond to current demands for higher standards and efficient spending. Both must share a clear picture of district goals, assume an interdependent attitude, and apply polished interpersonal skills in their work…

To test the paradoxical female hypothesis (satisfaction with salary underpayment), researchers surveyed a random sample of school chief finance officers. Female officers (unlike their male counterparts) receiving less than their entitled salaries enjoyed the same level of pay satisfaction as female and male officers receiving more than their…

Pressure for cost containment is growing at even very financially healthy colleges and universities. Institutions need to think concurrently about cost containment in terms of temporary, mid-term, and permanent changes to institutional operations and priorities. It may be productive to reframe the issue as "funding priorities" rather…

Describes ways in which the school-business administrator affects instruction. Areas of responsibility include transportation, food-service programs, vendor administration, plant management, and the development and administration of the budget. Examples from Canandaigua School District, New York, are included. (LMI)

An interview with Dr. Creta Sabine, about her career filled with firsts as a woman in school-business administration. Sabine recommends that women acquire education from both textbooks and the field, engage in lifelong professional development, join professional associations, and participate in activities outside of their position in the…

Financially troubled districts could benefit by investing in a school business manager's salary. This article discusses how business managers can save districts money or increase revenue by streamlining cash management, fiscal accounting and reporting, financial planning and budgeting, grantsmanship, construction management, insurance and risk…

A cash-flow plan allows districts lead time for investing, borrowing, reducing or delaying expenditures, expanding revenue sources, informing the community, and avoiding surprises. Planners should identify type, timing, and amount of revenues and expenditures and then compare revenues and expenditures to determine (and accommodate) shortfalls or…

Between 1993-94 and 1998-99, the percentage increase in salaries paid to assistant superintendents ($86,005) and directors of finance and business ($71,387) has generally kept pace with percentage increases in the average salaries of central-office administrators and with the average maximum scheduled salary for classroom teachers. (MLH)

School district participation in the Meritorious Budget Awards (MBA) Program makes budgets more understandable and user-friendly. All budget data are presented in a single document in a pyramid approach that begins with a summary of all funds and then presents individual funds. Provides ordering information for a publication that guides readers…

In August 1999, Wisconsin school business officials and other school administrators met with police officers to discuss cooperative ventures to ensure school safety. Conference participants attended sessions on identifying troubled students, physical security measures, safety planning, dealing with bomb threats, and prevention and punishment. (MLH)

Discusses the educational uses of Electronic Data Exchange and a decision-support system. Describes purpose and products of partnership between Association of School Business Officials, International (www.asbointl.org/) and National Forum on Educational Statistics (www.nces.ed.gov/forum/). (PKP)

Describes 10 habits school business officials need to succeed: organization, time management, delegation, planning, collaboration, personal development, creativity, empathy, ethos, and leadership. Based on book "The School Business Official: Ten Habits You'll Need To Succeed," published by the Pennsylvania Association of School Business…

This article describes how the rising cost of health insurance is being picked as the top budget concern of school businesses. These data were the result of a survey conducted by the Association of School Business Officials International. Schools report that the cost of insuring employees is outpacing increases in state and local budgets that…

This guide provides information for schools considering whether to participate in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, and it offers advice on how to plan for and operate the loan program at an individual school. The information in the guide is presented in a way that follows the steps that need to be taken in planning and implementing the…