Telematics describes the integration of vehicle-based hardware (for example, a Global Positioning System and a cellular communication unit) to transmit real-time data to a remote location for instant collection, processing, and subsequent transmission of actionable information to decision makers. While personal GPS is a great tool, it provides the…

Management techniques developed during the past 20 years assume the rational bureaucratic model. School administration requires contingent techniques. Quality Circle, Theory Z, and the McKenzie 7-Framework are discussed as techniques to increase school productivity. (MD)

Compensation programs designed specifically for school middle managers should involve them and should include a program for evaluating employee performance and for developing and maintaining job descriptions. (Author/MLF)

Expands Henri Fayol's definition of the administrative process to include a humanistic approach involving planning, organizing, implementing, controlling, evaluating, and satisfying functions. This empirical definition differs from some theoretical approaches by looking beyond resource consumption to consider ecological effects on the environment…

Reports the major findings of a national survey of office professionals conducted by Honeywell Incorporated. When asked how they would spend $10,000 to increase their personal productivity, the majority of workers surveyed said they would buy a computer, software, or word processor. (MD)

Describes how the School District of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, implemented a districtwide quality-management system based on the Geneva-based International Standards Organization 9001, a major component of which is the documentation of procedures. Includes sections on implementation, procedure manuals, quality management, uniformity, formatting,…

Briefly describes the contents of "K-12 School Technology Best Practices," a recently published 500-page book for those involved in making technology decisions; briefly summarizes the book's four sections on technology planning, funding, implementation, and management. Gives the price of the book and where it can be purchased. (PKP)

Quality Circles are a participative management technique allowing employees opportunities to participate in decisionmaking and problem-solving processes at work. A Wisconsin vocational school successfully implemented Quality Circles with management and nonmanagement staff participating. (MD)

Outlines an energy management program to be presented at the annual meeting of the Association of School Business Officials. The program is based on the Carleton Board of Education (Ontario) energy management program. (Author/MLF)

Describes how the budget can be used as a management tool (continuous-improvement plan) to help align district financial resources with school-reform efforts. Cites example of a continuous-improvement plan developed by the Ohio Department of Education. (PKP)

Featured in the third article of the series are management techniques for school insurance record management and for reducing the amount of time school maintenance personnel spend driving from school to school. (Author/MLF)

The first steps toward effectively managing a property insurance program are a complete understanding of the insurance contract and a professional appraisal. (Author)

A checklist highlights some of the procedures necessary to develop a property management system. (MLF)

To effectively prepare for negotiations: develop a sound philosophy; establish priorities; plan how to promote those priorities; practice fair negotiating procedures; and then assess through a postmortem the gains achieved by both parties, to help prevent personal and personnel problems. (Author)

By contracting some of the tasks, hiring part-time employees and a specialist to oversee a preventive maintenance program, and making other cost-saving decisions, it is possible to save a large amount of the school district's funds. (Author/MLF)