The leadership role of the school business official has changed during the past two centuries. Initially, a lay board oversaw the area of school business. That responsibility then moved to selectmen of the town and later to a committee of men. In 1910, the role of school business official was formalized with the establishment of the National…

Although many educators focus on data use to inform programs and practices in the current policy context, less attention is paid to more in-depth research on particular topics or deriving from a specific study. Even more uncommon are the use of these types of evidence and cross-district dialogue about them. That is not the case in the Rochester,…

Change is always difficult for people, even when they have a hand in directing the change and can see its benefits. The main reason is that the unknown is scarier than the known. Most changes, even ones with positive goals, are painful for those who must change. Implementing change effectively requires managing three elements of change, which the…

The fiscal problems of today's school districts are a reflection of the national economy. Taxpayers are struggling to make mortgage payments and are reluctant--or unwilling--to pass bonds and levies that will raise property taxes. Local, state, and federal grants have dwindled, and the effect of the education stimulus dollars is uncertain. The…

Never is the "tone at the top" more important than during times of economic distress. With an unprecedented number of state and local governments struggling to balance the budget, facing staggering operational cost increases, and even laying off employees, executive management and boards throughout the country are challenged to foster a positive,…

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)

A Texas school district initiated a budget development process using peer review committees representing each of the seven major units of the district. The process aims to rank budget requests based on district goals and to improve communication among district units. (MLF)

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has two major distinctions: national recognition for determining Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for state and local governments, including school districts, and its commitment to due process. This article urges GASB's 11,500 constituents to participate fully by responding to discussion…

Control of the budget function is at the heart of SBM. Only by accepting site-based budgeting can a district restore a sense of influence to those nearest the school and its students. Allowing individual schools to control the budgeting process should enhance staff responsiveness while returning decision-making power to the building level. (21…

Collaborative teamwork between school board members and administrators in a rural Oregon community concerning negotiations has been positive. Under the new system, the teacher-versus-administrator conflict has been reduced; board members became involved in all the districts' committees; and the time spent on negotiations has been cut in half. (MLF)

Summarizes a study that interviewed 23 support service staff in five schools concerning their views about site-based management. Fully 85% reported that once SBM was introduced, staff roles changed, their opinions and contributions mattered, and students were positively affected. Comments were largely favorable, but certain labor management,…

Tucson (Arizona) Unified School District involved its entire work force in generating cost-saving maintenance strategies. Savings were made in carpenter and mower repair shops, evening programs, property control, grounds maintenance, custodial operations, food services, utilities, and rental space agreements. Replacing outdated equipment and…

Presents techniques for ensuring constituency involvement in district- and site-level budget management. Outlines four models for securing constituent input and focuses on strategies to orchestrate the more complex model for staff and community participation. Two figures are included. (LMI)

School Centered Management (SCM) focuses on the school as the center of all management endeavors. Systematic delegation, support, and accountability are parts of SCM's situational approach to management. (MLF)

Improving school district operating effectiveness and efficiency through organizational renewal involves the following: (1) a review of how the district makes plans; (2) consideration of the organizational structure; and (3) a human resources review. In all phases, providing for employee input should produce widespread benefits to the…