Just what is meant by a "Best Practice"? A best practice is a procedure, a process, or a system, adopted by best performing districts, which has a noticeable long-term positive impact on the strategic objectives of the Procurement organization. The concept of "best practices" is a fluid one. As technology, regulations and statutes, business requirements, and the marketplace of providers all change, so do the concept and nature of best practices. Procurement is a perfect example of this type of changing environment. The evolution of technology has brought new purchasing and sourcing tools and techniques to bear, federal regulations (and many state statutes) have undergone significant revision or expansion, and the digital age and the advancement of logistics and communications industries have expanded the available market of suppliers for most requirements, as well as the opportunity to participate in cooperative purchasing initiatives. Additionally, the functional mandates for Procurement have evolved from just ordering and delivering goods and services efficiently, to providing strategic contribution and guidance for cost management, supplier performance, and source identification and development. This White Paper identifies and describes a number of best practices, both tactical and strategic. The complete list of tactical best practices provided in this paper is extensive. Strategically, however, the following core areas are essential to the success and value-added contribution that any Procurement organization can provide to its district, however large or small: (1) Developing a Strategic Procurement Plan; (2) Identifying Process Improvements; (3) Establishing a Dynamic Savings Program; (4) Implementing Supplier Scorecards/Evaluations; (5) Expanding Stakeholders' Involvement; and (6) Winning over Senior Management. Each of these is detailed in individual sections of the paper.