Why should school districts worry about today's down economy? After all, the vast majority of their income comes from state legislatures and local property taxes, with some additional funding from the federal government. This funding is unaffected by downturns in sales, the stock market, and other basic economic indicators. School business…

Discusses a Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) publication designed to provide financial statement users with information to assess a government's actual and future deposit and investment market and credit risk. (MLF)

School districts often face unevenly timed state aid and property tax disbursements. As a result, they issue a large volume of short-term, tax-exempt cash-flow operating notes. Offers details about why school districts need to issue notes and discusses the increasing trend of pooled note issues. (MLF)

State credit-enhancement programs for school districts lower interest costs and increase market acceptance for the bond issues. School districts receive higher bond ratings than they would have based on their own credit standings. Describes programs in 14 states that are recognized and rated by at least 1 major bond rating agency. (MLF)

An executive of Moody's Investors Service explains what past experience has taught the company about municipal analysis, how a bond issue is assigned a credit rating, and what issuers can do to obtain the best rating. (MLF)

Provides guidelines for overseeing a school district's cash-flow management program: (1) receipts into cash; (2) types of float; (3) concentration account or controlled-disbursement account; (4) bank-account analysis; and (5) safety. One figure is included. (LMI)

Encourages educational institutions to strengthen their financial positions by taking advantage of the current "marketing war" among United States banks. Suggests increasing the yield of available funds, reducing idle cash balances, and increasing available investment funds as three criteria for choosing the right bank or combination of…