Proper planning of school facilities is critical for all school districts no matter how large or small, whether major construction is in the works or the district is managing enrollment declines. When school districts properly plan for their school facilities they have better schools, more public use and higher value for public spending. This…

Current realities and practices in higher education have resulted in greater collaboration among campus units. Limited resources have forced departments to share programs, activities, space, and personnel. Branding efforts have prompted consistency in communication and even in practice. Institutional strategic plans reflect increased collaboration…

Sometimes a principal just has to get out of the office. A walk around the building might provide an escape from the pace of a hectic day, a chance to clear the head and perhaps allow a new perspective on a seemingly monumental school-related challenge to emerge. Wherever the principal walks, he or she is able to identify things that need…

The emotional and behavioral problems of students in the classroom are a major concern for teachers, administrators, and the public. Without effective behavior management, a positive and productive classroom environment is impossible to achieve. Forty years of scientific research supports the efficacy of behavioral interventions in the classroom,…

After five years of research, custodial staffing guidelines were developed to determine the proper custodial staffing of office, classroom, and laboratory facilities, including ways to tailor the staffing for specific circumstances. Four figures illustrate the factors involved. (MLF)

The computerization of school bus maintenance records by the Niskayuna (New York) Central School District enabled the district's transportation department to engage in management practices resulting in significant savings. The district obtains computer analyses of the work performed on all vehicles, including time spent, parts, labor, costs,…

As campuses react to budget cuts and increasing programmatic demands, the competition for resources among constituencies is increasingly intense. In this environment, reinvesting in campus facilities becomes challenging because, quite simply, the financial commitment can be immense. Unfortunately, many campus constituencies fail to understand the…

A computer program utilized to generate detailed reports of labor requirements saved almost $700,000 in custodial labor costs for the Facilities Maintenance and Operations Division of Oakland County, Michigan. The program also is used for a quality-control audit system during inspections to evaluate cleaned rooms. (MLF)

The study compared the effectiveness of the Washington State High Priority Infant Tracking Project in maintaining high risk infants in continuing health care, determining health and developmental outcomes, and surveying the use of community resources with other state tracking projects. The project identifies infants during the first 30 days of…

This checklist provides guidance on how to measure adequacy of control and security of computer systems, identifies areas of risk, raises management and user awareness of their stewardship responsibilities, and reviews issues relative to system documentation, maintenance, integrity, and reliability. (MBR)

A model of ongoing consultation was effectively implemented in a community group home for eight adults with severe and profound mental retardation. Two consultants taught staff members to use a token reinforcement system, engage clients in a variety of activities, and improve staff interactions with clients. (Author/DB)

The cost control program of the Beaverton School District (Oregon) is presented in three sections. Reviewing the role of the school board in cost control development, Jean Holt (a board member) outlines the fiscal management system, long-range financial strategies, energy conservation, and utilization of facilities. The programs have resulted in a…

This extensive bibliography on library building includes 15 categories: bibliography; background; general; planning teams; building programs; alternatives to new buildings; academic libraries; public libraries; school libraries; special libraries; site selection; interior planning and equipment; maintenance; security; and moving. (MES)

Winners of a national contest for cost-cutting in campus maintenance, institutional planning, and program administration and the nature of their innovations are reported. (MSE)

In recent years, legislation and litigation relating to education have increased dramatically. Consequently, there is a growing need for educators to understand legal mandates as they relate to the school setting. There is also a growing need to identify the areas in which schools are "at risk" in relation to students' safety and rights.…