School districts during 1979-80 were faced with a dramatic reallocation of maintenance and operations funds from salaries (a 25 percent reduction from that budgeted) to cover energy costs, with the balance used in a discretionary manner to purchase equipment and supplies and contract salaries as the year evolved. (Author/MLF)

Discusses the merits and demerits of the three most commonly used means for comparing and contrasting expenditures for school construction -- the cost per square foot, the cost per pupil, and the cost per classroom. Describes a new test instrument based on a refinement of the cost per square foot system, and provides a theoretical test case. (EA)

Comparisons are drawn between budgeted maintenance and operations costs for 1983-84 and the preceding 2 years' actual costs. Also provided is a summary of a 10-year comparison of net current expenditures per student, compared with maintenance and operations costs per student. Data are presented for 10 geographical regions. (MLF)

Comparisons are shown between budgeted maintenance and operations costs for 1982-83 and the preceding two years' actual costs. Also provided is a summary of a 10-year comparison of net current expenditures per student, compared with maintenance and operations costs per student. Data are presented for 10 geographical regions. (MLF)

Comparisons are shown between budgeted maintenance and operations costs for 1981-82 and the preceding two years' actual costs. Also provided is a summary of the past 11 years' costs. The largest cost increase is in heating fuel. Data are presented for 10 geographical regions and seven school size categories. (MLF)

School districts during 1980-81 again incurred maintenance and operations cost increases at a higher rate than inflation. Data from individual school districts are divided into 10 geographical regions for computation of regional averages. The districts are also divided into seven size categories that do not reflect regional influences. (Author/MLF)