Uses of personal computers, or microcomputers (micros), by college business offices are discussed, with attention to safeguards. An advantage of using micros is that business officers can develop their own applications with purchased software and need not depend on the data processing staff. The micros, which are located in the business office and…

Presents the history and an overview of how generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are established and by what process the standards are created. School business officials are invited to participate in the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), established as the standard setting body for state and local governments. (MLF)

Presents suggestions for superintendents and central office executives to provide support for principals. Principals can be helped in the following ways: hire the best principals; look within the system for principal candidates; provide training in instructional leadership; inform principals about legal matters; and visit principals often. (CJH)

Traditional public relations methods are used to educate the central administration, the school board, and the community about the budgeting structure of a school district. (MLF)

An educational platform, or philosophy, serves as a guide to administrative actions. Issues to be considered include aims of education, expectations for students, social significance of schooling, organizational climate, teachers' roles, student teacher relationships, and characteristics of students. (MLF)

Campus supervisors can be an integral part of a high school support staff, despite their cost. By carefully selecting good campus supervisors, districts can provide safer, cleaner, and more pleasant learning environments. (TE)

Advises careful analysis and improvement of existing school district accounting systems prior to investment in new ones. Emphasizes the importance of attracting and maintaining quality financial staffs, developing an accounting policies and procedures manual, and designing a good core accounting system before purchasing computer hardware and…

Recognizing and calculating the financial impact of unemployment insurance costs is the first stage in gaining control of these expenses. (Author)

Several years ago, New York State created a new school business administrator certification program for private-sector business administrators who wanted to switch careers. Interviews with about 20 New York Association of School Business Officials (ASBO)/former business executives showed most brought superior finance and budgetary skills to their…

Rethinks the use of teachers, a school's most expensive and important resource. Four categories could benefit from restructuring: teacher and aide allocation/assignment, teacher compensation, student support services, and general and special program administration. Middletown, New York, actually improved its student:teacher ratio by using its…

Provides school administrators with three managerial aids to assist in creating an organizational vision: (1) an operating definition of the vision concept; (2) a planning framework to support vision creation and implementation; and (3) a specific method for leading school organizations through the visioning process. (MLF)

An Environmental Protection Agency program encourages energy conservation on campuses by consulting with colleges and universities willing to reduce energy used in lighting. Full program implementation in these and other organizations can create significant savings in demand for electricity and help fight global warming and acid rain. (MSE)

Effective and efficient management of school district custodial and maintenance services can be achieved by contracting out these services. A competent management company will offer a computerized management system and a complete training program. Prospective management companies should also offer management and cost controls. (MLF)

The essential elements of school board governance involve four dimensions: (1) setting the vision for what the community wants the public school program to be; (2) ensuring that districts have a solid staff infrastructure to achieve the vision; (3) setting standards; and (4) advocating for schools. (MLF)

Two bus accidents taught a school district the value of a self-developed plan of response to a school bus accident. Provides a sample school bus accident preparedness plan. (MLF)